Have you ever bought an electrical appliance you were really excited
about? I don't necessarily mean a vibrator. It could have been a
high-tech hair dryer with a built-in volumizer you were crazy about, or
a new, all-in-one remote control that turns on your television, stereo,
VCR, DVD player and disco strobe light, all with just a touch of your
finger.
If you have, then the next part of this story might sound familiar, too.
You get your new electronic wonder home, and for the next couple of
months or so, all is bliss. But then, disaster strikes. One day, in the
middle of styling your hair or reveling in your multi-media event, your
technological wonder stops working. You're left feeling broken-hearted.
Okay, maybe not broken-hearted, but upset, annoyed and wanting a
replacement immediately.
Or, worse yet, you unwrap your little slice of the electronic revolution
and it doesn't work from the minute you take it out of the package.
Crisis!
Vibrators are not unlike the hair dryer or remote control described
above. Like any small appliance, they're made of breakable parts, and
the longer you use one, the more likely it is to come undone.
That said, with proper care, a vibrator can have a healthy and
above-average lifespan. In fact, we know women whose vibrators have
lasted years. Read on for tips you should keep in mind when caring for,
storing, using and even purchasing a vibrator. With proper care, you're
a lot more likely to have a fuller and more satisfying long-term
relationship with your electric toy.
The Vibrator's Lifespan
The first thing to keep in mind is that vibrators aren't made to last
forever, and their lifespan will vary based on a number of factors.
Vibrators have motors, which are made up of very small parts that can
burn out easily. They are, to be fair, complex electronics. The
longevity of your vibrator depends on the quality of the product, the
extent to which you care for your battery-operated pal, and a little bit
of luck on your part regarding whether you got a good vibrator or a
"lemon."
As a general rule of thumb, it's reasonable to expect your vibrator to
last at least up to three months, with average use and good care. Some
more expensive vibrators will exceed this expectation, but consider
yourself lucky if your vibrating pleasure tool does. Do keep in mind
that most companies won't take returns on faulty vibrators. However, if
you bought it from MyPleasure, you'll be happy to know you're protected
with a ninety-day quality guarantee.
Vibrator duds do happen, and even once is more often than we'd like.
We'd suggest always turning your battery-operated vibrator on as soon as
you get it and checking it to make sure the motor is operating properly
and ready to go. Again, if you do get a dud and you bought it from us,
we're more than happy to replace it.
Fun with Motors
I have a space heater, which I use in my office. I love my space heater
because it makes me feel warm and special, not unlike my vibrators. My
space heater also comes with a fantastic feature: When the motor starts
to overheat, it shuts itself off to cool down so it won't break.
Unfortunately, your vibrator offers no such luxury. Its motor is ready
to run until it either satisfies you completely or burns out and breaks
on you. In an ideal world, the former would always come well before the
latter, but we all know that's not entirely the way it works.
To get the most out of your motor, we recommend not running your
vibrator for more than thirty minutes on low speed. And if you're
operating it on high speed, be sure to give it a rest after fifteen to
twenty minutes. These are tiny motors, and most vibrators can burn out
quickly if you use them for extended periods of time.
If you have a dual-action vibrator, you'll want to be extra
conscientious about not running it for too long at a time. Because
they're designed to function in multiple ways at once, malfunctions and
burn-outs can happen quickly.
Making the Most of Battery Power
The majority of vibrators are powered by batteries, which is great for
mobility since you don't need to be near an electrical outlet to enjoy
them. But batteries have their own special needs, and knowing what they
are can help keep your vibrator operating at its peak performance.
For example, always make sure you're using the freshest batteries you
can. Older batteries, obviously, will cause your vibrator to run on
slower, less powerful speeds. Also, if the battery contacts in your toy
seem to have a film or layer of residue on them, try gently rubbing them
with a pencil eraser. And if your batteries don't seem to be working,
you might want to try jiggling them around a bit.
Another important thing to remember is that you should always remove
your vibrator's batteries after use. This will not only increase the
lifespan of your batteries, it will also keep the battery compartment
clean, keep the contacts clean, and reduce the chance of your vibrator
being ruined by battery leakage.
Caring for Your Vibrator
Let's be honest, people: who wants to get up and clean their toys after
using them? However, taking the time to properly care for and store your
toy after use can turn your one-night fling into a year-long romance.
The specific care instructions for your toys will vary widely based on
the materials they're made from; jelly, silicone, plastic, or realistic
material such as CyberskinTM all have different needs.
Cleaning can be a complicated ritual, or it can be as simple as wiping
your toy down with cleaner and warm water. For more specific details on
caring for your vibrator, you should check out the Materials and Care
section of the MyPleasure Guide to
Sex Toys, but for a quick reference, just remember:
- CyberskinTM and Realistic Materials: These very porous
toys require lots of care. Clean them with warm water and toy cleaner.
Allow them to air dry completely and then brush them with a dusting of
corn starch before storing in a dry, airtight place. For more
information, see our complete
article on realistic materials.
- Silicone: Silicone is non-porous and nearly hypoallergenic, so you
can use toy cleaner or soap and water. If your silicone toy is
waterproof, you can even clean it in the dishwasher or submerge it in
boiling water. Just make sure you allow it to air dry completely before
storage. For more information, see our complete
article on silicone.
- Jelly: Jelly is extremely porous and should be cleaned with toy
cleaner and warm water. Allow it to air dry and be sure to store it in
an airtight container.
- Plastic, Acrylic or Glass: Plastic vibrators can be wiped down
with basic rubbing alcohol after use, or cleaned with a warm washcloth
and anti-bacterial toy cleaner. Dry with a clean towel afterwards for
best results.
One way to simplify the cleaning of your toy is by using a condom over
it during use (and you always should use a condom over your vibrator if
you're sharing it with a partner or switching orifices). Then, all you
have to do is remove the condom and dispose of it appropriately.
Remember, you always want to store your toy in a cool, dry place.
Moisture can affect many vibrator materials and cause them to decay or
disintegrate more quickly. For more tips and tricks for storing your
vibrators, see our Bulletin from the Bedroom entitled
Where Do I Hide My Sex Toys?
The Quality Factor
Care is important, but the best way to ensure that your vibrator lasts
and lives up to its full potential is to buy high-quality ones. The
difference between a ten-dollar vibrator and a hundred-dollar vibrator
is more than its price; you're paying for craftsmanship and the quality
of its motor. And, needless to say, the hundred-dollar vibrator will
most likely last longer.
Also, be sure to search out retailers who stand behind their products.
Whether or not MyPleasure is your spot to shop for sex toys and
vibrators, be sure whomever you buy from offers a quality guarantee that
will allow you to get a replacement or refund on any vibrator duds.
As always, if you have any specific questions regarding the care of your
vibrator or other sensual enhancement product, MyPleasure's customer
service team is available to assist you. Just drop them a line at
questions@mypleasure.com.
Most importantly, relax and enjoy! Vibrators are meant to make you
happy, and with a little basic care, we promise they will.
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