So you want to buy a sex toy?

How to choose your first toy

By Hannah Deeves, Sex Columnist

Alright, so you have decided it’s time to see what the world of adult toys has to offer. It’s a large, incredible, and sometimes questionable world with so many possibilities. Don’t be afraid to spend a little bit more – good quality goes a long way.

Read the packaging!

You will want to look for non-porous materials (porous materials can hold onto bacteria and cause infections) such as the following: medical grade silicone, ABS plastic, phthalate free plastic, elastomer, glass, and medical grade metals.

Electronic toys come in more flavours than just vibrate. Pulsation, thrusting, suction, “licking”, are all options and toy manufacturers are just going to keep getting more creative with the tiny motors they can come up with.

For Vagina Owners

Luckily, you have the most options. First choose the stimulation you like: shallow internal/G-Spot, deep internal/A-spot, external/clitoral, or dual. Internal toys can be used externally, but external toys should not be used internally. Toys come in so many shapes and sizes. Small, large, short, long, thin, thick, realistic, unrealistic, colourful, skin tone, smooth, textured, you name it!

If you want to go for a rabbit style, or a dual stimulation vibrator, I recommend one with two motors and the ability to control them individually so you can play around and find exactly the vibe you like. If vibration isn’t your style, dildos are a classic and a great addition to anyone’s nightstand.

For Penis Owners

You may think there are no options for you, but toy manufacturers are coming up with more male toys all the time. The main thing for you to keep in mind is finding toys that are easy to clean.

Many have heard of Fleshlights and many think it’s the only toy for men, but male vibrators are coming into the spotlight. If you’re new to it keep an open mind! And remember, your penis isn’t your only pleasure centre. Your G-spot is in your butt gentleman!

For Your Butt

Men, there are plenty of anal prostate toys that are designed just for you. The prostate is said to produce more intense orgasms. Women, you have a bunch of nerve endings in that area too, and can most definitely orgasm this way.

You can’t just use anything as an anal toy – it needs to have a flared base because you can actually lose items inside your body. Scary, I know!

Toy Care

Now that you have picked the toy that is best for you, you need to know how to take care of it.

If you are using lube with a silicone toy, the lube must be water based so the material of the toy does not get degraded. Other materials are fine to use with the lube of your choice. I recommend staying away from oil based lube at all times because it can cause infections and it breaks through condoms.

There are plenty toy specific cleaning products you can buy, if you don’t have any on hand, us unscented anti-bacterial soap. For non-waterproof toys, use a warm soapy washcloth and wipe it down. You can rinse and submerge waterproof toys in warm water to wash with soap, and towel dry or leave to air dry. For toys with no electronic components: boil them for five to ten minutes or put them in the dishwasher without soap.

Try to clean your toys after each use, keep toys in a clean place and avoid over-charging to prolong battery life.

Happy Shopping!