“Hysteria” and the Strange History of Vibrators

To clean nonporous toys, you can use toy cleaners and wipes with gentle formulas or unscented soap and water. You can also boil materials like silicone , heat-resistant glass, and stainless steel to cleanse. There are two categories of sex toys — porous and nonporous — that are differentiated by the materials they’re made of. Knowing what your toys are made of is a crucial step in cleaning and sterilizing them properly. While solo sex prevents pregnancy and STIs, there are also some health risks if you don’t clean sex toys properly.

Most vibrators can be lightly immersed in water, but read the instructions to find out if your silicone toy can be cleaned in the dishwasher. When browsing less expensive sex toys, your best bet is to shop at reputable retailers, says Wright. Alternatively, you can watch for sales—some of which we cover here at SELF.

Beyond the pre-set modes, the app allows you to create your own vibration patterns. This feature is particularly helpful if you have specific needs, such as targeting muscle pain or managing anxiety. You can determine the duration and intensity of each vibration and save your custom routines for easy access later. The app’s core function is to simulate a body massage through vibrations. You can adjust the intensity and power of each vibration mode, tailoring the experience to your preference.

By no means is it limited to ‘gotta get to work, get in, get out, quick orgasm.’ It can certainly be integrated into couple’s play,” as evidenced by some very helpful sexual position suggestions on the Womanizer website. If you have the Duo version, you can have a partner join in on the fun. You’ll have to get into positions where you can pin the toy between your bodies, with the vibrator side of the Pulse II pressed up against her clitoris. Ideal for solo sessions or partnered fun, you can get spicy with the four speeds and two pulsation modes to make for a sensual exploration of your – or your partner’s – erogenous zones. Plus, it won’t exceed a noise level of 40 decibels so no need to worry about anyone listening in.

Since the sex toy industry is unregulated, unsafe and irritating materials unfortunately run rampant. You’ll want to look for materials that are non-porous and free of phthalates (a toxic plasticizer found in some sex toys). For vibrators viberator, usually this means silicone and ABS plastic, although some other body-safe sex toy materials include glass, stainless steel, ceramic, and properly sealed wood.

You can soak waterproof toys of all stripes in a 10% bleach solution for 10 minutes to disinfect them, then thoroughly wash them with soap and water afterward. If you’re using a toy with a condom, make sure that the condom covers the entire surface that comes in contact with your genitals. The condom should be thin enough for you to see, feel, and press the buttons through the barrier. Do not use oil-based lubricants with condoms, and make sure to remove and dispose of the condom directly after use. Do not reuse condoms with toys, as that practice is unsanitary and a sure way to encourage the condom to break. Since 2014 we’ve tested a handful of sub-$100 vibrators, finding many of them severely lacking in some respect.