How To Know It's Time For A New Vibrator

I recently retired my Magic Wand and was shocked to see how beat-up it was in comparison to my new one. So I got some pointers on vibes’ shelf-lives—and how to keep them clean—from the experts at Babeland.

I got my last Hitachi Magic Wand about three and a half years ago. It served me well, but I noticed about two years ago that I’d stained the head of it while using it during my period. I tried to clean it with some rubbing alcohol, but because the area in question was porous and textured, it never really returned to its former glory. I knew I’d racked up some miles on the sucker, but hadn’t realized just how absolutely disgusting it’d become. The entire thing is yellow and the head is not only filthy, but crooked.

Gross, right? Worse, though, is that a comparison run of the two vibes showed that the motor in the old one had lost most of its juice.

When I contacted Babeland and relayed the tale of my period-stained old vibe, I was told that it’s kind of like when you leave spaghetti in a plastic container in the fridge for a while—it’ll stain the container, but it doesn’t really mean that it can’t be used again.

Still, I picked up some good info on cleaning sex toys:
1.) Mild soap and water is best.
2.) Stay away from anti-bacterial soap. Studies indicate that prolonged exposure to the chemicals in triclosan or triclocarban can have harmful side effects.
3.) For really bad stains (like dried blood), Babeland makes a toy cleaner that’s safe for your girl parts.

You should throw out your toy if:
1.) The toy gets badly discolored, because it can be a sign that the material is breaking down.
2.) The material is torn or ripped, because bacteria can live in the torn section and won’t get clean.
3.) The motor gets louder, because it’s a sign that it’s wearing out, which isn’t harmful, but “could lead to disappointment at a crucial moment.”

Other things to note:
Materials – Jelly and rubber toys should be thrown away after a year. Bacteria can grow in such materials. Silicone and elastomer, however, are nonporous and don’t break down, so they can last much longer, and it’s likely that the motor will wear out before the material does.

Storage – The batteries should be removed from battery-operated vibes in order to lengthen its lifespan. Also, prolonged exposure to the sun could be damaging, so shut your shades, put it in a drawer, or stop playing with yourself outside all the time.

You get what you pay for – A $25 vibe will probably last about a year when using it a few times a month. If you spend $100 or more on a vibe, you should be able to use it more frequently and for a longer time. Also, more expensive vibes typically come with a one-year warranty, while the company Jimmyjane offers a three-year warranty for one of its vibes.

If it ain’t broke, don’t replace it – If your vibe merely looks gross, but is properly cleaned and cared for, you can have it for up to 20 years, so long as the motor doesn’t wear out. The most important aspect is whether or not the toy is working for you. If it gets you off, then it’s serving its purpose.