A Beginner's Guide to Sex Toys

November 4th is National Sex Toy Day and if you are new to the world of sex toys it can be a little overwhelming because the options are a mile-long and so different, but that’s okay. Here is a beginner’s guide to sex toys to answer all your questions and get you started on your journey of building an incredible toy collection.

Sex toys used to be limited in terms of design and use but in today’s society toys can do so much and be used in numerous ways. To get started with sex toys it is important to understand their classifications. Generally, toys are classified based on the part of the body that they stimulate. You will mostly see the categories of vibrators, dildos, couple’s toys, penile toys, and anal toys. Within each category, there is a further breakdown where things can get tricky. 

Vibrators can be used internally and externally, sometimes they are combo toys known as dual stimulators and you have the well-known bullets. Vibrators can also be dildos. Dildos are internal toys that sometimes vibrate and sometimes they don’t. They have dildos designed to look phallic or realistic and dildos that look nothing like human anatomy. Couple’s toys are a really innovative category. There are some couple’s toys that are just two toys packaged together and others that are designed to be used by two bodies at the same time for pleasurable experiences with a partner. Penile toys are a broad category including strokers, cock rings, and body forms for penetration. Anal toys are a straightforward category with so many different types of toys–ones that vibrate, be it anal beads or butt plugs, toys that are designed specifically for prostate stimulation, and anal toys that push the boundaries of the human body.

Now that you know the categories you have to decide for yourself, do you want something that vibrates or not? Vibration is a new sensation for a lot of people trying out toys for the first time. There are two types of vibration: buzzy or rumbly. Buzzy vibrators are high-frequency vibrations that are more surface in terms of being felt. Rumbly vibrators are low-frequency vibrations that penetrate deeper into the body and in turn, lead to more powerful orgasms. The best way to figure out which type of vibration a toy has is to feel it, so make your way to your nearest Lion’s Den so that you can feel the toys for yourself and make the best decision for what you want.

You will quickly see that there are quite a few different materials that sex toys are made from and though the toys exist not all materials are the best for sex toys. Generally, you want to look for toys made from non-porous materials as they can be fully cleaned and sanitized and not hold bacteria in them. Materials that are good for are silicone (medical grade is the best option), metal (usually stainless steel), and glass. Toys made of those materials are non-porous and can be thoroughly sanitized. You should avoid toys made of rubber, jelly, and PVC, because they are porous, and you can never fully clean these toys. They also aren’t the most comfortable toys to use.

Now that you have a better foundation of toys you can get your shop on, but there is still an important piece to keep in mind and that is caring for your toys. Toys are an investment, and you want them to last long and taking care of them is how you can do that. Cleaning your toys is crucial to their longevity. Be sure to wash your toys before and after every use with a toy cleaner or a mild, unscented hand soap. If you are anything like me, getting up to clean your toys after every use sounds like a lot of work so getting some toy-cleaning wipes can help with that. You are going to want to store your toys in a dry, room-temperature place. If your toy comes with a storage bag or sack, keeping them in that will also help with longevity. 

Now that you know the basics of toys and how to care for them you can get your shop on and celebrate national sex toy day! Remember to always take care of your toys because they take care of you.