Toy Care

[graceanne]

So I was having a conversation, awhile back, with SB, about her vibrator problems. She evidently kills them. I didn't say anything, at first, because I assumed she knew, but then I asked her what kind of batteries she uses on her vibrator, and it turned out she doesn't know that you're not supposed to use name brand batteries on vibrators (like Duracell or Energizer). So I figured that if SB (who isn't dumb) didn't know that, there's gotta be someone out there who's embarrassed to say something that keeps killing there vibrators, too. Then it occurred to me that there's lots of care that goes into taking care of our toys, and though I'd start a thread so that those of us 'in the know' can share that information. And then the bdsm_librarian (moi) will put it in the library.

So here's my tip. Always use generic brand batteries in your vibrators. The good batteries give off too much electricity and the motors on vibrators are so small it burns them out.

 

[figazza]

A 1.5 volt battery will provide 1.5 volts regardless of who is the manufacturer.

 

[BiBunny]

My advice: Just use electric vibes.

No, actually, my real advice is to keep your leather oiled, but not over-oiled, and keep some baby wipes in your toy box. Baby wipes won't sterilize your toys, but they're good enough to wipe toys off before and after use if you don't want to interrupt your scene by making a flying run to the bathroom or kitchen to scrub them.

 

[graceanne]

A 1.5 volt battery will provide 1.5 volts regardless of who is the manufacturer.

Whatever. Ask the manufacturers of vibrators, and they will tell you not to use name brand batteries. There is a reason why hospitals prefer to use energizer and the like for their stuff - those batteries are better. They last longer and are stronger.

And, as my proof, SB hasn't burnt out a single vibrator since she switched.

More importantly, this isn't an 'argue with gracie' thread. This is a 'give advice about toy care' thread.

 

[figazza]

Whatever. Ask the manufacturers of vibrators, and they will tell you not to use name brand batteries. There is a reason why hospitals prefer to use energizer and the like for their stuff - those batteries are better. They last longer and are stronger.

And, as my proof, SB hasn't burnt out a single vibrator since she switched.

More importantly, this isn't an 'argue with gracie' thread. This is a 'give advice about toy care' thread.

I didnt say you were wrong. I said what you quoted. The only differnce in batteries is that a mainstream battery may be more regulated, providing volts consistently. It's not any more powerful than a generic brand.

 

[PrettyProse]

I'm glad that I've found this thread. I just bought myself a new toy and I can't find it anywhere online and love it, so I'd like to have it last awhile.

What are some good cleaning tips? I heard somewhere that if it's silicon, you shouldn't use harsh soaps. I've been using just baby wipes and then rinsing it with water. And I bought specific batteries at the sex shop I bought the vibrator at.

 

[switchbitch]

So I was having a conversation, awhile back, with SB, about her vibrator problems. She evidently kills them. I didn't say anything, at first, because I assumed she knew, but then I asked her what kind of batteries she uses on her vibrator, and it turned out she doesn't know that you're not supposed to use name brand batteries on vibrators (like Duracell or Energizer). So I figured that if SB (who isn't dumb) didn't know that, there's gotta be someone out there who's embarrassed to say something that keeps killing there vibrators, too. Then it occurred to me that there's lots of care that goes into taking care of our toys, and though I'd start a thread so that those of us 'in the know' can share that information. And then the bdsm_librarian (moi) will put it in the library.

So here's my tip. Always use generic brand batteries in your vibrators. The good batteries give off too much electricity and the motors on vibrators are so small it burns them out.

Sweetie it isn't the vibrator part that I break. The motor works fine it's when my muscles clamp when I cum it snaps the ends of the vibrators.do you have a suggestion for that?

 

[popcorn2721]

I didnt say you were wrong. I said what you quoted. The only differnce in batteries is that a mainstream battery may be more regulated, providing volts consistently. It's not any more powerful than a generic brand.

After my wife burned out several small electronically regulAted vibes we did a we bit of research to find that they are not made to rum more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Their short life made us go back to the old analog controllers, which don't offer the pulsing effects that the digital controllers do, but last ten times as long. I guess the deal breaker was the vibe that was brand new and died before she could get her orgasm. Anyways, its not the battery or the vine motor that is breaking down... It's the electronics.

 

[ecstaticsub]

I'm glad that I've found this thread. I just bought myself a new toy and I can't find it anywhere online and love it, so I'd like to have it last awhile.

What are some good cleaning tips? I heard somewhere that if it's silicon, you shouldn't use harsh soaps. I've been using just baby wipes and then rinsing it with water. And I bought specific batteries at the sex shop I bought the vibrator at.

If it is 100% silicone you shouldn't use silicone lubes with it. You can use a diluted bleach solution to clean it. I've thrown my silicone dildos and anal toys in the dishwasher for a run on the delicate cycle. (no other dishes were washed at the same time)

My other bit of advice is to use corn starch if you have one of those silicone toys that have a hole for a pocket vib. The vib is much easier to take in and out if it is coated in a little corn starch.

I my opinion very good quality silicone is the way to go with toys. I have a silicone dildo I bought for around $65 6 years ago. I use it rather vigorously at least twice a week, every week. It has no cracks, scratches or signs of wear or tear. The only thing I do to care for it is to wash it with regular soap and water immediately after use, dry it and throw it in my toy bag away from any other insertables. I never share it. If it goes in my ass I use a condom and bleach it. Even if it doesn't go in my ass I bleach it or throw it in the dishwasher a few times a year.

 

[sb2009]

NOW if anyone can figure out why I broke two hood rings, this will be a thread I will really appreciate ;-)

I second the corn starch on the silicone toys...makes a world of difference.

 

[popcorn2721]

Sweetie it isn't the vibrator part that I break. The motor works fine it's when my muscles clamp when I cum it snaps the ends of the vibrators.do you have a suggestion for that?

I dunno if your using a bullet or not but I once had the cord snap after a hard orgasm. I would suggest something like this to avoid the destruction of the vibe. I have also seen some that were designed with a pull string in addition to the power cord going to the bullet, but cannot find a good pic.

http://www.sextoyshq.com/img/products/Techno_Flex_Vibrating_Probe_Blue.jpg

 

[rekane]

I understood that if a vibrator works, it will break. Your muscles clamp down on it and eventually will wear out the motor.
I hadn't heard about the name brand batteries trick.

I am looking at the Lelo line of toys. Slightly more expensive, but not much more, and they are rechargeable.

This one has some nifty features

I love glass. Low maintenance and no lube needed. So lovely.

 

[graceanne]

The vibrator that I have I've had for several years. I had the one before it for about five years.

I use body soap to wash it and my dildo and warm water. The big thing to keep in mind is making sure to dry it after you wash it. Where there's moisture there's bacteria. Well, the really big thing is to wash your toys, but as long as you're already doing that make sure to dry it.

 

[switchbitch]

I dunno if your using a bullet or not but I once had the cord snap after a hard orgasm. I would suggest something like this to avoid the destruction of the vibe. I have also seen some that were designed with a pull string in addition to the power cord going to the bullet, but cannot find a good pic.

http://www.sextoyshq.com/img/products/Techno_Flex_Vibrating_Probe_Blue.jpg

my muscles actually snap the housing, because plastic used is quite hard when it is compressed with enough force it crushes the housing and the plastic can actually splinter. I don't have any trouble with the vibrating section of them at all, I am a little nervous about using glass because plastic is quite hard enough to damagetissue. I use a gel dildo that issurgical grade silicon but I have yet to find a vibrator made of it. Many of them contain silicon but not enough. I am so sick of Replacing my vibrators, lined up in front of me I have nine dead soldiers. The vibration mechanisms are working fine but they are too dangerous to put anywhere near my skin. I'm actually contemplating taking them up to the workshop and building something that won't break. All suggestions are welcome. Nine vibrators is expensive in a period of less than six months.

 

[catalina_francisco]

I think we had a similar thread here a time ago, and from memory I thought it was in the library then. I thought all threads from the previous libraries were added to the new one as that has been the policy. If found, it might be worth adding in again.

As to advice, keeping your leather treated with appropriate cleaners and conditioners is a must. Messy job, but is worth it to care for your investment.

Vibrators...Like all battery run things, remember to remove the batteries if not using for awhile, especially cheaper brand batteries.

Also, a good practice is to store natural product toys (leather whips, crops, etc.) separately from synthetic ones such as silicone and plastic etc.

Catalina

 

[Netzach]

my muscles actually snap the housing, because plastic used is quite hard when it is compressed with enough force it crushes the housing and the plastic can actually splinter. I don't have any trouble with the vibrating section of them at all, I am a little nervous about using glass because plastic is quite hard enough to damagetissue. I use a gel dildo that issurgical grade silicon but I have yet to find a vibrator made of it. Many of them contain silicon but not enough. I am so sick of Replacing my vibrators, lined up in front of me I have nine dead soldiers. The vibration mechanisms are working fine but they are too dangerous to put anywhere near my skin. I'm actually contemplating taking them up to the workshop and building something that won't break. All suggestions are welcome. Nine vibrators is expensive in a period of less than six months.

Expensive solution, but I'd do a hitachi with a silicone dildo attachment. Strong enough vibes from the vibe but it gets diffused into a silicone dick, so there's nothing to snap.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Sweetie it isn't the vibrator part that I break. The motor works fine it's when my muscles clamp when I cum it snaps the ends of the vibrators.do you have a suggestion for that?

You aren't complaining, you're boasting!

 

[graceanne]

I think we had a similar thread here a time ago, and from memory I thought it was in the library then. I thought all threads from the previous libraries were added to the new one as that has been the policy. If found, it might be worth adding in again.

As to advice, keeping your leather treated with appropriate cleaners and conditioners is a must. Messy job, but is worth it to care for your investment.

Vibrators...Like all battery run things, remember to remove the batteries if not using for awhile, especially cheaper brand batteries.

Also, a good practice is to store natural product toys (leather whips, crops, etc.) separately from synthetic ones such as silicone and plastic etc.

Catalina

I didn't remove anything from rebecca's library. I can't say if rebecca moved anything from anelize's library, because she's kinda incommunicado right now (rebecca, that is).

You aren't complaining, you're boasting!

Kinda what I was thinking. I was also thinking that if I were a man I wouldn't want to put my penis in something that breaks plastic.

 

[where]

So I was having a conversation, awhile back, with SB, about her vibrator problems. She evidently kills them. I didn't say anything, at first, because I assumed she knew, but then I asked her what kind of batteries she uses on her vibrator, and it turned out she doesn't know that you're not supposed to use name brand batteries on vibrators (like Duracell or Energizer). So I figured that if SB (who isn't dumb) didn't know that, there's gotta be someone out there who's embarrassed to say something that keeps killing there vibrators, too. Then it occurred to me that there's lots of care that goes into taking care of our toys, and though I'd start a thread so that those of us 'in the know' can share that information. And then the bdsm_librarian (moi) will put it in the library.

So here's my tip. Always use generic brand batteries in your vibrators. The good batteries give off too much electricity and the motors on vibrators are so small it burns them out.

my good vibrations vibe came with duracell, so go figure.

the cornstarch is new to me. I just use lube to put the bullet in my rockchick

Sweetie it isn't the vibrator part that I break. The motor works fine it's when my muscles clamp when I cum it snaps the ends of the vibrators.do you have a suggestion for that?

ummm... well maybe get a solid glass dildo. and really, you snap dildos?

 

[Netzach]

Don't be so cynical, people, I really did have a friend whose wrist was broken by her gf's wild contractions.

 

[BiBunny]

Don't be so cynical, people, I really did have a friend whose wrist was broken by her gf's wild contractions.

Damn. I'd hoped that was a myth. I'm always so afraid I'm going to do that to somebody, and I'd feel really bad.

 

[DVS]

A 1.5 volt battery will provide 1.5 volts regardless of who is the manufacturer.

While I don't think it's necessarily by brand, this isn't always true. Checking different batteries with a voltmeter will show that 1.5 volts is just a way to categorize the batteries. Some will come in hotter and some will come in colder than 1.5, but few will measure right at 1.5 volts.

The thing that makes a battery last is the current they hold, which is how long a battery will power the vibrator. And I don't know if that has anything to do with the power of a battery in a vibrator, but that is what most manufacturers will use in their commercials. So, maybe the name brand batteries will somehow be hotter or more pure in the current they put out, and somehow burn the motors out. I don't have an answer to this. If it's true, it's true. But, I wouldn't contradict Gracie...she can get mean.

Personally, I don't need vibrators for my fun, so I can't say one way or the other. My fun is electroplay and those things plug into the wall for the super duper current.

 

[brioche]

I'm glad that I've found this thread. I just bought myself a new toy and I can't find it anywhere online and love it, so I'd like to have it last awhile.

What are some good cleaning tips? I heard somewhere that if it's silicon, you shouldn't use harsh soaps. I've been using just baby wipes and then rinsing it with water. And I bought specific batteries at the sex shop I bought the vibrator at.

Every time I've bought a vibrator or lube, I buy toy cleaner at the same time. Then it's there when I need it and I don't run out and need to go looking for it. Right now I have Safe Suds and Wet Keep it Clean.

ETA: Speaking of Lube, let me put in a vote for Intime. It's water based, non sticky, sugarless, and contains grapefruit seed extract which is known to discourage yeast, bacteria, and fungus growth. It's latex condom safe too.

 

[catalina_francisco]

I didn't remove anything from rebecca's library. I can't say if rebecca moved anything from anelize's library, because she's kinda incommunicado right now (rebecca, that is).

No problems....can't remember if it was a thread specific for toy care, or emerged from another discussion. If it comes back to me and I find it, I will let you know and you can see if it is worth adding.

Catalina

 

[graceanne]

No problems....can't remember if it was a thread specific for toy care, or emerged from another discussion. If it comes back to me and I find it, I will let you know and you can see if it is worth adding.

Catalina

Awesome. I vaguely recall a similar thread myself, but couldn't find it for a bump.

It's so frustrating when I remember a thread but can't remember enough about it to find it.