Got yourself some toys? Congratulations! Now here’s how to take care of them – and make sure they last a long, long time.
Tulisa Contostavlos, a reality show judge in the UK, got into the British news this week when a vibrator went off in her luggage as she was traveling.
Key tip, Tulisa: always take out the batteries when you’re on the move with your toys.
Here’s RESCU’s top tips and tricks for taking care of your intimate toys, from washing to replacement to general no-nos.
Hygiene
This should be a remedial exercise for most women, but surveys show that far fewer toy owners clean them properly and at the right times than is healthy.
If you’re one of them, read carefully.
Times when it’s absolutely necessary to wash them: when you’ve just bought them; just after use; just before use if they haven’t been stored in a safe or hygienic way. Aftercare is really necessary, ladies, otherwise they’ll start to degrade and collect bacteria.
What type of washing depends on what type of toy. Always keep the instructions – they’re usually fairly up-to-speed. If you’ve bought something without instructions or they’re in another language, here’s a basic guide.
If it’s silicon and has no electrical components, you can simply boil it for two or three minutes. If it DOES have electrical components, bring out the anti-bacterial soap or wipes, and rinse thoroughly. (Never leave soap on anything, for obvious reasons.)
Soap and water also work for rubber and latex, though they may require different types of soap. Glass? These can be boiled too, but carefully. Hard-surfaced toys need to be sterilised just as much as porous ones – even though it looks as if there are fewer places for bacteria to gather, they’re still vulnerable.
There’s also a material out there called ‘realistics’, which is used for vibrators, dildos and other extremely realistic toys. If you’re sure this is the material you’re handling, you’re going to have to put in a bit more work. You should have been provided with a starch-like substance to apply after washing and drying – don’t replace it with anything else, and if you run out go to a toy store for more.
Always let everything dry completely before storing it!
Storage
This is kind of a no-brainer. Don’t leave toys near anything that could be filled with germs. It’s also probably good to keep them away from steam and moisture, in case they degrade.
Dust is a bigger problem. Wrap them up individually if possible, or attempt to buy toys which come with cases. It will help re-use and make it less necessary for you to give them a rinse before every use.
Make sure you check on them regularly, even if you’re not using them as much – if they’re noticeably degrading or rusting, or the battery’s running out, replace them.
Disposal
Finally worn it out? It’s pretty easy to tell when it’s the end of the line for a toy – they’ll crack, simply not work, or be visibly rougher in surface. Or they might not give you pleasure any more.
Used toys aren’t to be given away to friends, and they aren’t a good addition to your next Salvos drop-off. So what to do?
The environmental consequences of disposing of toys have actually been a big issue for a few years, particularly as the industry gets more green-friendly.
Retailers and providers are increasingly offering ‘recycle’ services or some kind of disposal opportunity. Check your provider and ask. There’s also a few services starting up online for independent recycling.
Talk to your local recycling centre if you think they won’t hang up on you. Ultimately, if it must be thrown out into the trash, wrap it up so it won’t disturb anybody.
General Tips
When travelling with toys, always remember to take the proper cleaning material with you – and to take out the batteries. Store them all together so they won’t get lost.
Toys are often not ‘dishwasher friendly’ unless explicitly stated, so don’t make the mistake of chucking them in thinking it’ll be OK. You could degrade the surface. Be kind to your toys!
Don’t scrub at the surfaces with anything harsher than a towel. If there are things on it which aren’t yielding to removal, soak them overnight and try again – it’s worth the wait to avoid damage to the toy.
Always keep the instructions and, if possible, get a warranty. You want to be able to be a smart consumer and claim your money back if the toy malfunctions badly.
Unfortunately, it’s not an easy electrical item to have fixed by a professional at a shopping centre, so having the maker’s details in case there’s a problem is invaluable.
Do not ever, ever fiddle with the electronics of a toy. Unless you’re a trained electrician, it’s a very bad idea. Also don’t allow anybody else to fiddle with them.
And always, always buy quality. You deserve the best – or at least something made of dependable materials that won’t have health risks or faulty wiring…
Lady Friday xx
Taking the pillow talk out of the bedroom, every Friday…
