4 Reasons Your Vibrators Aren’t Lasting as Long as They Should

Finding the right vibrator for you might take a while, but once you’ve done it, you know it. A really good vibrator can teach you so much about your body and how it best responds to pleasure. It can completely change the way you approach sex in general, as well. Over time, you come to count on it as a treasured part of your self-care routine – exactly why it’s so devastating to realize your trusty vibrating friend is going kaput a lot more quickly than you’d hoped.

If this happens to you way too often for it to be a fluke, it might be time to take a look at a few things. The following are some of the most common reasons even a newer vibrator might wind up ready for the trash bin long before its time.

1. You’re using the wrong lube.

This is one of the most common reasons a vibrator might start losing its integrity sooner rather than later. Many people assume that any intimate lube is a safe fit for any toy when nothing could be further from the truth. In actuality, reaching for the wrong product to lube up with when it’s time to get down and dirty with your vibrator can go spectacularly wrong.

For instance, silicone lubricants are among the best choices on the market for using with your partner to make intercourse feel amazing. However, it can spell disaster for many types of adult toys (and condoms, too) as they can easily cause deterioration. Always double-check to make sure a lube is compatible with your vibrator before bringing it along for the ride. When in doubt, stick to water-based lubes, as they’re a safe bet for almost any toy.

2. You’re not cleaning your vibrator often enough.

Make no mistake about it. Proper care and cleaning isn’t just a good idea when it comes to vibrators. It’s an absolute must and not just because you can wind up with a nasty bacterial infection otherwise. If you’re not cleaning your vibrators often enough, well enough, or at all, they’re not going to last as long as they otherwise would.

Dust, dirt, and various bodily fluids can quickly build up on your vibrator’s surface, especially over time. If all that residue is allowed to sit there for any length of time, it can corrode, discolor, or otherwise damage even an excellent quality vibrator. At the bare minimum, your vibrator should be washed after every use. However, cleaning them before each use as well is never a bad idea.

3. You’re not handling your vibrator with enough care.

Most vibrators are designed with relatively passionate use in mind, so they’re not exactly fragile. However, you should keep in mind that your vibrator is an electronic device. It contains a motor and various moving parts. For that reason, you should treat your vibrator with care and caution like you would your cell phone or any similar investment.

Avoid throwing your vibrator around, including tossing it unceremoniously into a nightstand drawer when you’re done using it. Instead, store it carefully in the soft bag it came with, separately from other toys. Don’t be too rough with any caps, switches, or closures it might have. If you use a corded vibrator, such as a wand, don’t use the cord to yank the plug out of the wall or pull the toy around. You get the picture.

4. You don’t inspect your toys often enough (or at all.)

Even the best, most carefully used vibrators will experience some wear and tear over time. For that reason, all sex toys – vibrators included – should be carefully and regularly checked. (Once a month should suffice.) Here are some examples of what to look for.

• Glass toys can chip, crack, or develop uncomfortably rough edges.
• Plastics tend to split or fracture as they grow older.
• Rubber, jelly, or even silicone toys can discolor, rip, warp, or develop surface imperfections like pockmarks.
• Waterproof toys come with watertight seals that can lose their integrity over time.

In most cases, a sex toy showing visible signs of wear and tear – like cracks, chips, or warpage – is unsafe to use from that point on and should be replaced ASAP. If all that’s wrong with your toy is a waterproof seal that is no longer functional, you can still use it. However, it should no longer be considered waterproof.

You may also have trouble getting your vibrators to last the way they should if you gravitate toward cheaper brands. Not all vibrator brands are created equally, and you get what you pay for, so consider upgrading to a high-quality vibrator, like the Essenza from FemmeFunn. Not only will your vibe last longer, but you’ll enjoy a better, more stimulating experience every time.