Written for GFH by Luna Matatas

So, you’ve got a new vibrator! 

And with that new vibrator comes a world of fun, but also some questions. After all, bringing a new sex toy home can be incredibly exciting, but maybe a little bit intimidating too. How do you use it? Do you need to charge it? What do you do with all the functions? Don't worry, though, because here are 5 Tips for Bringing Your New Vibrator Home:

Unboxing your new vibrator

You’ve seen it online or in-store and now’s your chance to get your hands on your very own vibrator! The sex toy package may include things you want to hang onto for future reference, like warranty info, instructions for cleaning and care, storage pouches, and chargers. Most rechargeable vibrators will need a few hours or more of charge time before first use, so keep that in mind if you want to get right down to the fun. If you’re using a battery-operated sex toy, be sure to have the right size of batteries, as well as some backups, handy, too.

When your toy is ready with full charge or batteries, wash your toy before first use with warm soap and water—and it’s recommended you wash before every use to minimize the transfer of bacteria from sex toy to you, and possible partners.

Choosing the right lube pairing

There’s a myth that you only need lube if you aren’t ‘aroused enough’ or ‘wet enough'. Really, though, lube can be used to support the fluids that vaginas produce in response to arousal, and lube really benefits everyone because it creates textures that are conducive to pleasure during sex with yourself or someone else. Using lube with your new sex toy also reduces friction and gives a velvety surface between your body and the sex toy so to maximize sensations. 

There are options for water-based, silicone, and hybrid lubes. Silicone lubes should be avoided if you are using a silicone vibrator. If you love silicone lube, pop a condom on the silicone sex toy and you can use whatever lube you want. There's a plethora of lubes for any and all situations, and you can even explore cannabis lubes, too, and temperature-altering lubes like cooling lubes or warming lubes.

Getting in the mood for self-pleasure

Sex toys can be used for quickies, but if you’re new to sensations of your new sex toy, it’s helpful to get your mind and body in the mood for masturbation. It’s easy to get stuck in your head when masturbating with a new toy—you might be fiddling with buttons, angles, and vibration rhythms as you find your groove. Set yourself up for self-pleasure success by creating an atmosphere where you will be uninterrupted (e.g. secure your privacy, turn off your phone notifications, etc.) and comfortable. You might prop a pillow under your pelvis to help get a good angle for a G-spot or put on a sexy playlist to get in the mood, or even pull out some erotica to stimulate your erotic imagination. 

How to start using your new sex toy

It might be tempting to crank up a new vibrator to the highest speed or start with penetration. It's good to spend some time warming up to the new toy with these techniques before you dive into the deep end, though: 

• Try using it through your underwear at first to get a good sense for the vibrations. 
• Explore the toy on top of the mons pubis, over the labia and at the entrance of the vagina, playing with pressure and direction (e.g. up and down or in circles). 
• Tease the clitoris by using the vibrator on the sides of the clit instead of directly on top of it. 
• If you’re going for penetration with your new sex toy, use lube, start slow and remember deeper isn’t always better. Angle the sex toy in the vagina towards the front of the body to see if you notice any change in sensation as you explore the G-spot area. 
• You can also try being more active with the new vibrator and grinding your body against it while you hold it still with your hand to generate arousal from your hips. 

If you always masturbate the same way or with a different style of sex toy than the new vibrator, you might need to mix up your masturbation style.

Cleaning and caring for your new vibrator

Just as important as having fun with your new vibrators is its maintenance, because proper maintenance and care of your new sex toy can not only help preserve the longevity and function of your sex toys, but it's good for your sexual health, too! Clean your vibrator after each use, using these tips. 

Depending on the type of vibrator you have, it may require specific care and cleaning instructions, so be sure to refer to the manual included with the sex toy. Remove the batteries after each use and make sure to place them aside while you're cleaning so you don't get water on them; both the vibrator and batteries will last considerably longer. Corrosion of the wiring and battery contacts can occur if the batteries are not removed properly. You can also consider using a sex toy cleaner, which is specially formulated for cleaning vibators and other sex toys. 

We know it's exciting to dive right into a new sex toy, but some basic maintenance can go a long way, and bringing home a new sex toy is a great excuse to pause for a moment and approach it, and your sexual routines in new, and fun ways!