(Taking care of one of your best friends)

So you've taken the plunge and brought some sex toys but do you know how to look after them? After all you've spent your hard earned cash on them and they will likely become your best friends over the years and we all know that best friends require love and tender care. Below you will find some guidelines that will help you get the best out of your friends for a long time.

First, Things First.
Not all sex toys are created equal. They are made from an ever increasing array of materials used in their making it's important to first know what yours is made of, in order to keep it healthy. Below is a list of the most popular materials and how best to care for them:

Silicone
Silicone is a popular material and cleaning it is fairly simple. As silicone is non-porous it can be washed with simple soap and water. Silicone can also withstand high temperature so it can be cleaned in boiling water or even placed in the dishwasher, although I strongly recommend that you take out last nights dinner plates first if you do choose this option. *Shudder*

Another thing to remember when using silicone toys is you should never use them in conjunction with silicone lubricant. If you do the results will be a gooey mess and the surface of your not so inexpensive silicone toy will be ruined forever. Stick to a good water based lube when using silicone toys.

Jelly toys
Jelly toys are especially popular with those of us who are watching their pennies. The main drawback to jelly is the fact that it's porous which means that using soap or any other cleaning agent is not recommended. a simple wash down with water water is all that is needed for this material.

It is also wise to use a condom with Jelly toys because by their very nature they have the ability to soak up any germs that maybe lurking. If you plan to share your new jelly baby then make sure you follow the condom rule or better still buy your partner one of their own.

Latex Rubber
Like Jelly sex toys Latex rubber is porous and again should only be cleaned with warm soapy water. Never use rubbing alcohol or petroleum jelly with latex rubber toys because just as it breaks down latex in condoms, it will do the same to your latex rubber toys over time.

This is another toy because of it's porous nature that should not be shared with a partner.

Black Rubber
Black Rubber: Pure rubber is more brittle than latex, so rubber toys require a bit more care. After each use, wash your toy with warm water and an antibacterial soap. Do not use hot water on these toys! Hot water will remove oils from the toy causing it to become brittle and crack. Use only warm water! When using black rubber toys, avoid bouncing up and down on them. As much fun as this may be, this kind of stress can cause these toys to crack.

Cyberskin
Cyberskin ranks as one of the more expensive sex toys on the market today in part because it most closely resembles human skin. Cyberskin shouldn't be boiled, but it can be cleaned with hot water and soap. You should also never use oil-based lubes with cyberskin.

The manufacturers also recommend that you dust your toy with the talc that is provided with your purchase. If you do this though I would strongly advise that you rinse it before using again as talc has recently been linked to the possibility of ovarian cancer.

Metal
Metal toys are still fairly rare but can be found. They are easy to clean with simple soap and water and can also be boiled. If you choose the second option though be careful as metal retains heat and can leave you with a nasty scold.

Leather
Leather is often used in harnesses and whips and is easy to clean. Simply wipe down with a warm wet cloth and then allow to air dry.

Glass
Glass toys are becoming more and more popular and they are amongst the simplest material to care for. Soap and water after each use is all that is required. For a more detailed look at glass toy care click HERE.

Battery Operated Boyfriends and their care
Many vibes run on batteries and these need a little love and attention of their own to ensure that you get the best from them.

Between uses it's always a good idea to remove the batteries as they can leak and damage your toy if you don't. This is especially true if you don't intend to use them for a long time.

Never immerse the battery compartment in water during cleaning. You should never immerse a vibrator in water anyway, instead simply wipe it down with a damp cloth. If by some fluke, water does come into contact with your batteries, remove them from their compartment and then use a hairdryer to ensure the compartment is dry before reinserting them.

Change batteries when it is time, and don’t let dead ones sit in the container.

Power Tool Care.
If you own an electric toy aka power tool, it’s wise to inspect the power cord once in a while. If you notice any cracks or if the vibe itself begins to work intermittently then my advise is to buy a new one!

Never, ever, ever use a power tool in the bathroom or near water. Electricity and water may well give you a rush if mixed but electrocution is not my idea of good sex, solo or otherwise.

Just as you wouldn't wrap your hairdryer cord around the bed post when you store it, neither should you with your power tools. The above may sound like common sense tips but it's amazing how many times they get over looked.

General Maintenance
Periodically you should inspect your toys for cracks and damage, I check mine before each use because I'd rather be safe than sorry. Cracks and broken down rubber will harbor bacteria and even with the very best of cleaning have the ability to give you something not so pleasurable. Also inspect for rust and tears and if you find any of the above the best advice I can give is to replace your toys.

It's also worth mentioning that sex toys should be cleaned between each us and especially if you take the toy from vaginal play to anal play. You don't want to go there trust me on this one. Also if you share toys with a partner this rule especially applies and using condoms is a good idea.

Storage of Toys
Like all good relationships the occasional break from your friends is inevitable but how you store your toy is just as important as how you clean it. Simply tossing it under the bed is not a good idea here although at times I admit it can be a tempting one. Instead after cleaning, which should occur after every use, store them in a dust and mold free area and I think you'll agree that under the bed doesn't fit either of those requirements.

Some toys do come in their own storage containers, for example glass toys generally come with a pouch designed to protect them, where ever possible those containers should be used. However if one is not available, what can you do? Here are some of the ideas from some of our forum members regarding toy storage.

“A plastic container is great toy store most toys in. After proper cleaning and you can wrap your sex toy in a dry towel or a lint-free cloth and place it in a clean plastic container.”

“I wrap the toy in a clean tee shirt and place it in a shoe box which sits on my closet shelf.”

“Smaller toys can be placed in eye glass cases and stored in the nightstand drawer.”

“For the Martha Stewart types, making your own storage bag from scraps of old material lying around also works well. If you are real creative, you can use trims and make it look pretty.”

“Investing in a lockbox will also work well as storage with the added bonus of peace of mind. Just don’t lose the key, or the locksmith might look at you funny when they open the box for you.”

“I have a designer pillow that sits on my bed. I pulled out some of the stuffing and hide my vibe there.”