There is no doubt that sex toys are an exciting way to spice up your intimate life. Whether you are flying solo or have a partner, these devices will help you achieve more fun and satisfying sexual experiences.
While there is no question about the value of sex toys when it comes to your sexual wellness and expression, these devices also come with some potential risks.
The good news is that this shouldn’t scare you, as all that is required is a little knowledge and care, and you can keep enjoying the fun and pleasure of these adult toys.
In this article, we uncover these risks and offer tips on how to avoid them so you can keep enjoying that extra stimulation, erotic play, or penetration without any worries.
Sex Toys and Safety
As sex toys have become more popular, the variety of options in the market has also significantly grown to meet the demand and diverse preferences.
This means more manufacturers, a wider variety of materials, and countless designs availed to suit different clients.
With all these developments, there have been gaps in ensuring the quality of all these adult devices. Most importantly, as millions of people enjoy using sex toys, there are lots of mistakes and mishaps that might happen.
Common Risks of Using Sex Toys
The three most common risks of sex toys that you can’t afford to ignore are:
- Risk of STIs
Sex toys can be a double-edged sword if not used appropriately. A risk that you can’t ignore is the likelihood of sex toys leading to the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The risk of contracting STIs from sex toys primarily arises from improper cleaning and sharing of these toys, which can lead to infections like HPV, syphilis, and herpes.
This is because most sex toys have porous surfaces, which, although invisible to the naked eye, easily absorb body fluids and can harbor bacteria and viruses, putting you at risk.
Best Practices for Preventing STIs
- Prioritize using Condoms on Toys. Just like when you are with a partner and want to protect each other, condoms are the most effective barrier for STI prevention, even when you are using sex toys. This is especially important if you’re sharing toys with someone else.
- Always Clean Your Toys Thoroughly After Each Use. Make it the norm always to clean your toys after every use and ensure they are in the best state before using them.
- Avoid Sharing Sex Toys. As a rule, avoid sharing your sex toys with others. If you must share, do it with your partner, use a condom, and clean the toy between users.
- Smelly Toys
Most elastomer sex toys that are soft, stretchy, and flexible are made of porous materials like jelly rubber or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). However, the softer and more porous an adult toy is, the higher the chances that it traps body fluids and bacteria.
As a result, if you don’t properly clean these sex toys, they can start developing unpleasant odors and put you at risk of infections.
To avoid this, you should not use a sex toy once you notice it has a funky or unusual smell.
Best Practices for Avoiding and Fixing Smelly Toys
- Go For Non-Porous Medical-Grade Materials. When buying sex toys, it’s best to choose non-porous medical-grade materials like glass, stainless steel, or silicone toys. These materials are hypoallergenic, easy to clean, and hardly ever retain odors like most other cheaper materials.
- Clean Immediately After Use. You should make it a habit to clean your sex toys immediately after using them so that bacteria don’t sit on your toy. A best practice is to use warm water and a mild soap or toy cleaner.
- Use Baking Soda for Stubborn Odors. If you have a toy that has an unusual smell, try soaking it in a mixture of water and baking soda before washing it with a sex toy cleaner. This smelly toy fix will help get rid of the odors.
- Faulty or Malfunctioning Toys
Nothing kills the mood faster than a toy that stops working mid-session, or worse, one that is faulty and puts you at risk of harm.
While sex toy mishaps are rare, and even for those who report incidents, the injuries tend to be mild and include nicks, small bruises, and skin irritation. For electric sex toys like faulty vibrators, they can overheat or cause electric shocks.
How to Avoid the Dangers of Faulty Sex Toys
- Always Buy Reputable Brands or Trusted Stores. Your safety starts the moment you are shopping for sex toys, and it’s best to stick to well-known brands and reputable stores with outstanding reviews. Most importantly, you should avoid cheap knockoffs, as while they might save you money upfront, they’re more likely to malfunction.
- Go for FDA-approved toys. The best sex toys are FDA-approved, which shows they meet the highest standards of manufacturing and are made from body-safe materials like silicone, glass, or stainless steel.
- Inspect Your Toys Before Use. It’s vital to always check your sex toys for any signs of damage, such as cracks, frayed wires, or loose parts, before using them.
Recommended Ways to Maintain Your Sex Toys for Better Safety
The cornerstone of sex toy safety is proper maintenance, and the best ways to go about this is by:
- Going through the Manufacturer’s Instructions. Prioritize reading the manufacturer’s instructions immediately after you buy a sex toy. At a time when there are so many devices in the market, knowing the best way to use, clean, and store your toy will save you from a lot of unnecessary risks.
- Using the Right Cleaners and Cleaning Procedure. While the best way of cleaning sex toys is by using warm water and mild soap, some devices require special handling and might need a specific toy cleaner to be used. You should also know the best cleaning procedure; for example, while you can even boil silicone toys for a few minutes to sterilize them, this is not recommendable for most other materials.
- Dry Thoroughly After cleaning. After cleaning your toy, you should let it air dry completely before storing it. You can use a clean cotton towel to dry your toy after it has air dried before storage; this helps avoid moisture that can lead to mold or bacterial growth.
- Proper Storage. It’s recommended that you store your toys in a clean, dry place. You can buy some storage bags to individually store each toy and protect them from dust and damage.
- Know How to Choose the Best Sex Toys. Not all sex toys are equal, and when shopping for that special device you should know the best practices for choosing quality toys. These include, conducting thorough research and only making a purchase once you are sure about the quality of the toy based on reviews, the sex toy materials, and are satisfied with the customer reviews.
- Use Lubricants and Listen to Your Body. The undisputed rule for having safe, pleasurable moments with sex toys is always to use lubricants. You can never have too many lubricants, and the best picks are water-based lubricants, as they are neutral and can be used on all types of sex toys.
You should also actively listen to your body, and if something feels uncomfortable or painful, you should stop using the toy immediately.
Know When to Replace Your Sex Toys
Even the best toys don’t last forever, and you should know when it’s time to say goodbye. Some signs you must never ignore are:
- Cracks or Damage. If your toy has cracks, tears, or exposed wires, it’s time to replace it.
- Persistent Odors. If cleaning doesn’t remove the smell, it’s a sign that bacteria have penetrated the material, and you need another toy.
- Malfunctioning Parts. If your toy starts malfunctioning, it’s best to get a new one.
Conclusion
Sex toys are a wonderful addition to your intimate life. Nevertheless, you must always prioritize your safety. By understanding the risks discussed in this article, knowing how to choose high-quality devices, and following proper cleaning and maintenance practices, you can enjoy your toys with confidence. Remember, a little care and safe sex practices will go a long way in ensuring a stress-free and pleasurable experience.