Toy Care 101: Maximize the Life of Your Sex Toy

Your favorite rabbit vibe has more in common with the other electronics and motorized devices in your home than you think. Just like the hairdryer you can’t live without and the trusty face buffer you owe your glowing complexion to, your adult toys rely on motors and moving parts to work their magic. Eventually those parts will wear out and you’ll have to replace the entire device, but there’s plenty you can do to protect your investment and extend the life of your toys in the meantime. It’s all about proper care, cleaning, and maintenance.

Understanding the Life Span of Your Toys

So, if that expensive new vibrator with all the bells and whistles isn’t actually meant to last forever, how long should it last? As with other types of personal equipment, you definitely get what you pay for when it comes to sex toys. However, even the best toy money can buy won’t last indefinitely. Vibrators are powered by tiny but powerful motors that run hot and can burn out easily, meaning they may not last as long as you’d hope.

That said, you can expect an average, mid-priced vibrator to last between three and six months. The more meticulous you are about really taking care of it, the longer you can expect it to last. A lot depends on how frequently you use your vibe as well. A toy that’s only used occasionally or alternated with other toys will naturally last a lot longer than one that’s used every single day.

Make sure you know whether your toy is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty or a guarantee that it will last a certain length of time. That will give you a pretty good idea of when you should have to replace it, as well as how you can go about getting a refund if it fails to meet expectations for any reason.

Using Your Toys Properly

Don’t worry. You don’t have to force yourself to use your toy less often if it’s truly an essential part of your regular routine. However, there are definitely some things you can do differently that can drastically extend your toy’s life.

• Consider not running your vibrator continuously for longer than 20-30 minutes at a time. This will help lower the likelihood that its motor will overheat. If you’re a big fan of indulgent marathon love sessions though, no worries. You can still have your fun! Just try alternating your time between several different toys so each one’s motor has ample time to cool down in between uses.

• Get in the habit of taking the batteries out of your toys when they’re not in use, especially if you only use certain toys occasionally. Not only does this eliminate the possibility of the toy switching on accidentally and running until it burns out without your knowledge, but batteries can sometimes corrode, spelling the end of even a brand-new toy.

• Protect the integrity of porous toy materials like blended rubber, real-feel silicone, or jelly with condoms. Unlike stainless steel, hard silicone, glass, or plastic, porous materials are pretty much impossible to thoroughly disinfect in between uses. However, condoms can ensure they stay good as new. You need to make absolutely sure any lube you use is compatible with your sex toy as well.

• You should also be gentle in general with your toys. Avoid throwing them around, being too rough with their twist caps, or pulling them around by their cords (if they have them). It would be a shame to have to retire a favorite toy early because of something avoidable like a cord that’s frayed from abuse or misuse.

Sex Toy Care and Cleaning

Saying your favorite sex toys get up close and personal with some of the most sensitive areas of your body is a massive understatement. However, most people don’t clean theirs anywhere near often enough, giving bacteria and debris a chance to collect. Not only does this jeopardize your own health and well-being, but it shortens the life of your toys as well.

Sex toys should be washed after each use, even if you’re the only one who uses them. It’s not a bad idea to give them a quick once over before you use them either, especially if you store them anywhere, they could come in contact with dust or debris of any kind. You don’t necessarily need to give them a thorough soap and water scrubbing every time though.

Keeping a bottle of spray-on/wipe-off toy cleaner in your night stand can be a real game changer. It couldn’t be easier and more convenient to use, so it definitely simplifies the process of cleaning your toys often enough and thoroughly enough.

Last but definitely not least, it’s important to regularly inspect your toys for damage, signs of wear and tear, or other indicators that you might be due for a replacement. Check hard materials like plastics for cracks, chips, or dings. Inspect softer, more porous materials for pock marks and rips. Waterproof toys should have their seals and O-rings checked for loss of integrity as well. Once a month is a good goal to shoot for frequency-wise.

While it would be wonderful if we could somehow make our favorite sex toys last forever, proper care and maintenance can make a huge degree of difference. Establish a solid routine, stick to it, and you won’t be able to believe the difference in the lifespan of your toys!