Good Vibrations Magazine

from GV’s Info Desk: Sexual Health/Product Info

These days, there are so many choices when it comes to sex toys that picking one out can seem a bit daunting. When you’re standing in a store, or sitting in front of a computer screen filled with options, how are you supposed to make a decision? There are quite a few characteristics to take into account: size, shape, color, texture, vibrating (or not), material, and whether it can fit into a harness. But never fear—after reading this page, you’ll have all the info you need to find your new favorite toy.

Size

The most important characteristic to think about is size. Too little and it won’t hit the spot. Too big and you might not ever use it. One easy way to gauge what size dildo you might like is to consider a partner’s penis or a toy that has worked well in the past. However, since even the most aroused penis becomes firmer and softer during sex, it’s only a rough estimate. Another way to get some input is to do the cucumber test.

Yes, the simple innocent cucumber has a wild side. Who knew gardening or a taking a trip down your produce isle could be so much fun? The humble cucumber is an excellent way to determine the right dildo size for you and/or your partner:

1. Take a trip to your local produce store or back yard if you grow cucumbers.
2. Select a few cucumbers of different sizes to give you some choices.
3. If your cucumber isn’t organic it’s a good idea to either peel the cucumber or wash it well and cover with a condom since waxes and pesticides should stay outside the body.
4. You might want to warm it slightly in the microwave, especially if it’s been in the fridge.
5. The joys of arts and crafts: if the cucumber is too big, shave it down until it fits nice and comfortable. You could even carve it to give you a nice G-spot curve or a head.
6. Once you’ve found the right width and length, whip out that measuring tape. Measure the length and then cut the cumber in half to measure the width (diameter). Note these measurements for your shopping adventure.

Please remember that using a cucumber vaginally is fine, but we don’t recommend it for anal play. Since it doesn’t have a base, it could slide all the way in, especially when it’s covered with lube or if it breaks.

Now that you’ve determined the right size for your dildo, you need to find out what else you want from your dildo. What are you plans for your dildo? There are many choices. Handheld, harness, or use for just yourself? How firm and flexible do you want your faux cock to be? Also, do you want realistic or designer?

Built For the Job

Most dildos are made out of four different types of materials: jelly, silicone, softskin, or acrylic or glass. Each material has its pros and cons, so the more you know about what you’re looking for, the easier your choice will be.

Jelly

Let’s start off with the least expensive of the dildos, the jelly dildo. These toys are inexpensive, but low price is the only thing that they have going for them these days. First of all, jelly dildos are difficult to clean since they’re often quite porous. We highly recommend covering all jelly toys, even if you’re the only person using it, and our Premium Condom is a great way to go. Two other disadvantages to jelly toys is that they may be too flexible for some people’s tastes and the material doesn’t last too long.

When they’re new, jelly toys often smell like plastic, but that goes away just as it does with a new shower curtain. What’s more of a concern is that many jelly products contain phthalates, which may be absorbed by the body. Due to recent research on the safety of phthalates, Good Vibrations has chosen to stop carrying products containing these chemicals.

So jelly may be your best bet if you’re not looking for something to last forever or your primary concern is cost. But these days, there are better choices that won’t break the bank.

Softskin

Softskin is a remarkably realistic material that feels amazing. It’s got just the right blend of firm and flexible to feel like a penis. But there are two big disadvantages. First, it’s really porous, so you definitely want to cover softskin with a condom. Second, after you wash and dry it, softskin gets sticky. There are two ways to deal with that. You can store your dry softskin dildo in a plastic bag or you can dust it with cornstarch.

If you go with cornstarch, the easiest method is to put the dildo and a spoonful of cornstarch in a paper bag and shake it up. Just be sure to rinse it off before using it because cornstarch absorbs lubrication and gets gritty. And be sure to never use talcum powder since it has been linked with ovarian cancer.

Silicone

Dildos made out of silicone are definitely the most popular. These toys are hot property due to silicone’s flexibility, ability to quickly adapt to body temperature, range in prices, and because they come in a variety of styles from simple pleasers to curved, bumpy and vibrating.

All of our silicone dildos are 100% medical-grade silicone, which is non-porous, can be cleaned and disinfected, and is quite durable. Beware of silicone blends which may not be of the same quality. Our silicone is really durable and will last pretty much forever, unless the surface gets punctured. Once that happens, the rip will spread until your toy falls apart and we’ve never found a glue to repair it. So make sure that you keep your toys away from sharp fingernails, edges of counters and yes, pets.

Soap and water will do a great job on silicone. If you want to bring your cleaning up a notch, you can put it in boiling water for 3-5 minutes, the top rack of the dishwasher or a 10% bleach solution for 15 minutes. And of course, if you use a condom, you just need to wash off the lubricant. Please note that wiping with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide does not disinfect your toys.

Silicone comes in many sizes and shapes. Some of them are simply smooth like the Silk Dildo. Others, like the Woody look more like penises, while the Dotted Delight and the Rippler come with ridges or bumps for extra pleasure. The less smooth the toy, the less it is suited for anal play since the anus is more sensitive than the vagina.

Another advantage of silicone is that almost all silicone dildos have a flat base, making it easy to use them in a harness or for anal play. If you are planning on using a harness with your dildo, please note that about ½ inch of the length will taken by the harness.

If you’d like to add a little extra oomph to your fun, try a silicone dildo with an itty bitty vibe such as The Right Spot or Your Highness. They come with a small vibe that runs on watch batteries and slips into the base, which adds a great twist. And while the Watch Batteries don’t last more than a couple of hours, we always keep them in stock.

While silicone is a great material, what if you love the way softskin feels? Well, don’t fret! The creative minds at Vixen Creations, a San Francisco Bay Area women-owned dildo manufacturer, didn’t feel like regular silicone was enough. They’ve invented VixSkin, a marvelous 100% silicone formula that feels like softskin and cleans like silicone. For a complete list of our VixSkin products, go to this page.

Glass and Acrylic

If a good hard dildo is on your shopping list, acrylic or glass may be the answer to your wish. These smooth and hard dildos come in a variety of designs and shapes to please. Each dildo is built for the art of pleasure. They are handcrafted and quite attractive. All you need to do is look at the Luminous, the Aurora, and the Corazon. Since these toys are really firm, most people go with a slightly smaller size- the firmer it is, the bigger it feels.

Most acrylic and glass dildos are handheld only. Since they don’t have a wide base, they are not mountable or strapable, but like silicone dildos they range in price and are easy to clean. Soap and water does a great job on both. Acrylic should be washed in warm water since hot water can cause micro-cracks in the surface, clouding the toy. Glass can be take the heat, since all of our glass toys are borosilicate glass. This means they can be boiled or put through the dishwasher and they’re really durable and resist breakage.

Browse our selection of dildos. Now that you’ve got the info, you’ll be sure to find one that strikes you fancy. Have fun!