Do sex toys really expire, and what to do next? Much like everything, sex toys do have an expiration date – a bedroom life, as it were - and while some will last a lifetime, many will not. It is crucial to maintain your toys healthily to avoid infection and injury. The death of a sex toy is not always as apparent, and it can be a little more complex to tell when your favorite sex toy needs to be replaced or what you need to keep in good condition for a more extended period. Let's know everything about that:
What Are Sex Toys?
A sex toy is any object or device to improve sexual pleasure or facilitate an orgasm. When safely utilized, sex toys can bring a new element to a sexual encounter. There are several different types of sex toys, and each is made for a unique form of pleasure.
How Do You Know Your Sex Toy Has Expired?
People who are curious to know thatDo Sex Toys Expire?, there are many ways to signify that your sex toy has expired. Here are some signs to look for:
Change In Shape
If your toy starts to change shape slightly, it is probably time to let it go. This can mean a slight bend when it should be straight or vice versa. This is more common in jelly toys but can also happen to many soft toys. Any changes in the shape are a sign that it is time to get rid of the toy.
Cracks And Openings
Any new cuts, cracks, holes, or other noticeable signs of wear and tear should be discarded. It is easy for bacteria to lurk in those openings and find their way into the body; no one wants that.
The Motor Is Malfunctioning
If you see any strange sounds or sensations while using your motorized toys, it is probably time to dispose of them. This could be a slow whirring or odd clicking noise. It could be that the batteries need changing, but if it continues once you've changed them, it's best to dispose of them.
Change In Color And Texture
If your toy loses its color and texture, it is time to let it go. It may look like it's just seen too much sun, but it could be slightly damaged. A change in color or texture can mean tiny cracks and, you guessed it, more germs.
Ways To Improve Your Sex Toy Life Span:
Now as you get to know thatDo Sex Toys Expire?and about the signs showing that it is time to purchase a new sex toy. But what can you do to improve your sex toy lifespan?
Proper Cleaning Before And After Use
The most significant thing you can do to make your sex toy last longer is appropriately clean it. Properly clean it before and after every use. This makes sure that your toy does not have any bacteria on it. This helps your toy to live a longer life.
Storing Your Sex Toy Properly
Another essential thing to take care of is storing the sex toy. Try to keep it in a place where it is safe from dust and stored at an ideal temperature.
Using The Right Lube Or Product With Your Sex Toy
While adding something additional to your sex toy to enhance your pleasing experience, make sure it is the right product. If you use lube, never use silicone with a silicone-made sex toy. This will degrade your sex toy material and damage it.
Do Not Take A Non-Waterproof Toy In The Shower
Never take a sex toy in your shower that says it is not waterproof. This can damage your toy, and you have to buy a new one before time.
What's The Best Way To Clean Sex Toys?
Ways To Clean non-porous materials:
● Glass:Wash glass toys with soap and water. Do not expose glass to extreme temperatures. Pyrex toys are dishwasher-safe.
● Stainless Steel:If connected to an electrical device, use warm soapy water, being cautious not to submerge any electrical components. If there are no electrical parts, you have three options: Boil or soak in a 10% bleach-water solution for 10-11 minutes, or put it in the dishwasher.
● Hard Plastic:You must clean with antibacterial soap and water. Do not boil.
● Silicone:You can select from 3 ways to clean a silicone toy. Either boil for 10 minutes, put it in your dishwasher, or wash it with anti-bacterial soap and warm water. Do not boil silicone vibrators because you will damage the vibrator mechanism.
FAQs
1. What should I do with an expired sex toy?
Once you have specified that your toy needs to go, the next thing is to find the best way to dispose of it safely. The main concern is disposing of them in environmentally conscious ways. Here are some options:
● Take it to a public electrical recycling center.
If your toys are motorized or battery-powered, the best option is to send them to an electrical recycling center. At the center, the toys would be safely recycled without harming the environment.
● Place them in the recycling bin.
If you have access to recycling bins and your toys are plastic, recycling them with your usual plastics could be an idea. And be sure to double-check that it fits your local recycling requirements. All the best things must come to an end, including the lifespan of a favorite sex toy. Buying premium toys and taking excellent care of them protects them from disrepair, but even then, damage and expiry can happen. The best thing, in that case, is to dispose of them responsibly, so they don't harm the environment.
2. Why It's Important to Properly Dispose of Sex Toys
Your sex toy is patterned by batteries and electronics. Like any other type of electronic, simply tossing them in the trash wreaks environmental havoc. This is because batteries have volatile chemicals like lithium, lead, sulfuric acid, and cadmium. Once your batteries land in a landfill, these chemicals finally seep out of your batteries. They either are reabsorbed into the soil or run into rivers or streams from rain. Either way, the chemicals returning to the Earth are dreadful for the environment as they damage ecosystems, drinking water, plant life, and animal life. That being said, it's essential to properly dispose of your sex toys to prevent batteries or another electrical charge from falling into the landfill.
Perhaps the best way, though, is to buy quality-long lasting sex toys so that you don't burn through them so quickly. That may be the greenest solution of them all.
