Echidna's DungeonBegginer's Sex Toy Advice
The Echidna's Friend has asked the other day, as they were buying their first ever sex toy; how do you know when a sex toy is safe? I had really appreciated being asked this, as safety is a must which doesn't get discussed nearly as much as it ought to outside of kink communities - being able to ask the big questions like this is incredibly important.
Materials
If the toy listing does not include what it is made of... Don't even bother. Any site which has any respect for your time will let you know what the material is.
Let us try it now - go to this page from CloneZone, and search for the material it is made from.
There it is, under a click-through for 'More Information' - this toy is made of silicone.
Safe materials for insertables are Silicone, Glass, Stainless Steel, and Aluminium.
If it is going inside of your body, do not stray from these materials. Eventually, with time and wisdom, you may begin to explore with other materials, under the guidance of your peers - but if you are new to buying sex toys, I would recommend even just sticking to Silicone.
Do not use 'jelly' toys. 'Jelly' or 'Rubber Jelly' is a strong-smelling softened plastic, which degrades over time. It is difficult to sanitize, and it is prone to giving its' user infections and particularly unpleasant rashes. Jelly is usually a transparent plastic colour, though it can also be found in opaque toys, too.
If anybody recommends you a jelly toy as an insertible, look the other way. You do not want this inside of your body.
Kink With Safety, Start Small.
It can be really tempting to dip straight into the deep end; and with so many 'beginner' kink and fetish items on the market these days, it's easier than ever to step right off of that cliff, and… Directly into the hospital.Improper use of impact gear such as Whips, Floggers, and Paddles can give you internal and external damage in the hands of somebody inexperienced, and improper restraints such as Rope, Handcuffs, and Bondage Tape can give you permanent nerve damage, or can cut off circulation, leading to an unpleasant hospital trip, and a new life-long injury.
Unsafe, Untrained, Unmoderated Kink Kills.
Watch videos (yes, we do more than just porn!), look things up, ASK A KINKSTER! Kinksters love to explain. Don't be shy, We Don't Bite (Unless you're into that). The best knowledge you can pick up on how-to-kink, is directly from the people who do this every day. If we cannot answer, we can usually point you towards somebody who can. In the age of Social Media, it is easier than ever to directly ask a kinkster.
Any kink under the sun - restraints, spanking, e-stim - LEARN first. Do your homework.
Where to Buy from?
Ideally, you want to find a sex toy shop which has physical, brick & mortar locations, or a company with a long history; at least a decade of operation - these are typically more reliable. Sites which are always offering sales, extra cheap toys, and large discounts are disuaded - if they want to give you 30% off all products at the door, that's a red flag.
If you wish to get into the kinky side of things, you will learn reliable stores from your fellow kinksters, as you maneuver through the community.
I can only give you recommendations from the U.K, but just looking at some speciality stores on our List might help you to get a feel for what to look for.
CloneZone Direct
Rouge Group
WruffStuff
Affordable Latex
Lube Matters!
All about Lube… You will want and need lube for anything being inserted, that is a must. But did you know that the type of lube matters, too?
Silicone Lube Is Absorbed By Silicone Toys. Counterinuitive, right? Whilst it was once thought that it degraded the material, the Silicone in the toy merely absorbs it, to release later - however, this leaves a residue on your toys, which you're better off doing away with entirely. You should be washing your toys before and after every play session (and more than just a little rinse under the tap!) - but it is rather unpleasant. However, it will not harm your toy.
Never use flavoured lubes for vaginal insertionWhat's good for your mouth, isn't always what's good for the rest of your holes. The vagina has a finnickly PH balance, and flavoured lubes can not only offset this, but can give you a nasty infection.
Oil-Based Lubes break down Latex. What is commonly made of latex? CONDOMS ARE COMMONLY MADE OF LATEX! Well, we're rubber fetishists, so just about every inch of our bed to body is also made of latex, but that's besides the point. If you are using latex condoms, avoid any oil-based lube.
For beginners, I suggest using a water-based lube. It pairs well with Silicone, Glass, and Metal toys, and it is generally safe for use with Condoms, too. We use Lubido brand Cruising 250ML Water-Based Intimate Lubricants, which you can buy in bulk lots - we like that it has a pump top, and a clip for easy travelling - but any water-based intimate lubricant should work just fine.
Clean Your Toys!
Yes, cleaning! The last thing you want, is for your brand-new toy to make you or any partners very, very sick. It's also generally good for the longevity of your toy, too!
Always clean before and after play. Even if it has been safely stored away in its' bag the whole time - CLEAN IT!
When buying your new toy, you'll want to keep cleaning and maintenance in mind. Does your toy have seams or crevices? Is it overly textured? Is it waterproof? Ridges and seams will trap in bacteria, so you will have to clean these extra diligently. Ask or look up online for advice on cleaning your specific type of toy.
Addendum...
At the end of the day… Everybody is a beginner at something! Yes, even the most experienced kinksters; in fact, especially experienced kinksters! We don't know it all. Most of us stick to our niches, and curiously peek over the fence at what everybody else is doing. Always ask questions. Stay learning, stay curious. I know that I am always learning new things, as much as I am always teaching others.