Adult Toys FAQ

Adult Toy Information

If you're searching for information about adult toys or answers to commonly asked questions you're in the right place. Here you'll find answers to many of our most frequently asked visitor questions.

If you're having problems with a newly purchased adult toy, please read on. We've included answers to many of the most commonly asked customer questions. Most problems have a simple solution that can be applied in just a few minutes.

We hope you find the answer you're searching for in our Adult Toys FAQ section. If you don't find an answer to your question please let us know! You may send your questions to questions@mybodyvibes.com. We'll either answer your question or point you in the right direction.

Adult Toys - The Basics

How do I open the battery compartment on my vibrator?
The answer to this question depends on what type of vibrator you have. Generally there are three types of battery compartments, and each has its own method of entry.

Standard Base:
Most slimline vibrators have a base controller that falls into the "standard base" category. A simple base consists of a cap at the bottom of the vibrator that can be removed by twisting it in a counterclockwise rotation. Sometimes these caps can be difficult to remove, either because the manufacturer secured it very tightly or because they haven't been removed for quite some time and have become stuck. If you have this problem we recommend lightly tapping the base against a hard surface to loosen it up a bit. These base controllers usually have two parts - one part that twists onto the vibrator shaft, and another part that is used to adjust the vibration levels. Be careful not to twist the adjustment knob when tightening or loosening the cap - only twist the part of the base that actually connects to the vibrator. It is possible to damage the adjuster knob with hard or forceful twisting. Once the battery compartment is exposed it is usually a simple matter of inserting the correct size batteries and securing the base back into place.

Multi-component Base:
Some vibrators, for example clitoral vibrators or dual-purpose vibrators, have a base controller with multiple switches or knobs. This type of battery compartment is usually accessible through the back of the base controller. If you look at the knobs or switches on the base, and then turn it over there should be an arrow or a "thumb grip" marked by an arrow or a series of parallel lines. To open the battery compartment, simply place your thumb or forefinger on the grip and slide the door in the direction of the arrow. Some doors will slide directly down, and some will slide down slightly and then require that you lift the door upwards, as if they were on a hinge. Once the battery compartment is exposed, insert the batteries in the direction shown in the battery compartment, close the door and you're ready to enjoy.

Remote Battery Pack:
Some vibrators are connected to a battery pack via an extension or power cord. This is a common setup for butterfly vibrators and hands-free clitoral massagers. To open the battery compartment, take a look to see if there is an arrow, or a note that says, "push to open", or other similar instructions. Once you find the arrow or the indented area with instructions, place your thumb there and slide the door downward. The door should open, exposing your vibrator's battery compartment.

How do I adjust the vibrators on my vibrator?
That depends on what kind of vibrator you have.

Base vibration control:
Most traditional vibrators are controlled by a dial mounted on the base. These controllers are typically adjusted by turning the dial clockwise to turn up the vibrations, and counterclockwise to turn them down. If you have trouble with your vibrator's dial controller, consider unscrewing the end cap and adjusting the contact wire inside. This wire must come in contact with the metal portion on the inside of the dial, and most adjustment malfunctions can be fixed by insuring a solid connection. Usually all it takes is a simple bend or pull to make the wire stick up more in order to contact the base.

Separate controller:
Some vibrators have a separate unit that holds the batteries and contains the vibration controls. The Jack Rabbit Vibrator, Little Bunny and Venus are all good examples. The control unit is connected to the vibrator with a cord, except in the case of remotely controlled vibrators. There are several ways to control these toys, and it all depends on the style of the controller. Some are operated by pushing buttons to increase or decrease the intensity of the vibrations, and some are dials similar to those found on the base of most traditional vibrators. Neither style can be objectively considered "better" or "worse" than the other. How people feel about the various styles is a matter of personal preference.

A certain vibrator appeals to me but it is listed as "very intense" and I need something mild.
Our vibrator intensity ratings represent the vibration range of each product. While each vibrator is listed on the vibration chart under its highest rating, each individual product page will identify its complete vibration range. For example, a vibrator ranked as "soft" on its lowest setting, and "very intense" its highest setting will have a rating of "soft through very intense". If the lowest setting is more of a "medium" vibration level, and the highest is "intense" the vibrator earns a rating of "medium through intense". Check out the individual page for each product and keep in mind that virtually all vibrators start off "soft" and increase their vibration intensity from there. If a vibrator doesn't start out "soft", we'll indicate that on the vibration range portion of the page.

What materials are most adult toys made of?
Historically, the majority of adult toys were made from jelly or latex. Thanks in large part to technological advancements there are new and exciting material options now and on the horizon. Jelly and latex have been natural choices because they are easy to work with, withstand the rough treatment most toys are subject to, and are relatively inexpensive. Advanced materials that hold their color longer, won't degrade over time, feel good and are hypoallergenic are becoming less expensive while at the same time consumer demand for them is increasing. You can read more about materials in our Sex Toy Materials guide.

How long can I expect my vibrator to last?
The answer to this question depends on several factors. Vibrators are typically sold as "novelty items" and are often made from inexpensive materials. The average vibrator will typically last a year or more, depending on how often they're used and how well they're maintained. It is always possible that a vibrator could simply quit working after several months, but fortunately this isn't the norm. Factors that influence the longevity of a vibrator are construction quality, frequency of use and quality of care. We don't sell any vibrators that are poorly made so you can expect a vibrator purchased from us to last longer than average - usually more than a year. Having said that, there are a few things you can do to increase the life of your vibrator.

Take good care of your vibrator:
Good vibrator care includes frequent cleaning. While basic, this chore is often overlooked. Wash your vibrator with adult toy cleaner or a mild soap and water solution before and after each use. Waterproof vibrators are easy to clean because you don't have to worry about exposing the internal electrical components to moisture. Just be sure the cap is tightened securely. Non-waterproof vibrators are a little tricky, but still relatively easy to clean. Either spray the shaft with adult toy cleaner and dry it off with a clean towel, or wipe the shaft with a moist washcloth and a little soap. Be sure to use the mildest soap you can - dishwasher liquid is harsh and best to avoid. A mild hand or facial soap or mild shampoo is less abrasive and a better choice for most adult toys. Be very careful not to expose the base of the vibrator to water. Moisture can corrode the delicate electronic equipment inside a vibrator. It is also important to remove the batteries if the vibrator will be sitting for a long period of time between uses. It is OK to leave them in for a week or so, but you should remove the batteries if you plan on letting your vibrator sit longer than that. Batteries contain corrosive materials that will eat away metal and plastic as they age, causing internal damage to your vibrator.

Buy a quality vibrator:
Rest assured that if you bought your vibrator from us you bought a high quality vibrator. We hand-select each of the adult toys we carry, and our first criteria is quality. However, even within our vibrator selection there is a range of quality. The Hitachi Magic Wand, for example, is one of the best quality vibrators we've seen. It is even backed by a 12-month warranty from Hitachi. If we had to quantify the quality of our vibrators it would probably be fair to say that they range in the top 20% of the quality scale. For every five vibrators we consider carrying in our store we probably accept only one. The rest don't meet our standards for quality.

Don't worry:
If you purchase a vibrator and it suddenly quits on you, just let us know. We'll see what we can do to help you out. Depending on how much time has gone by since you purchased your vibrator, we might exchange it for a new one, or give you a store credit. Our satisfaction guarantee covers all of our adult toys - not just vibrators.

How long can I expect my dildo to last?
Proper care and maintenance can go a long way towards making your dildo (and any other adult toy for that matter) last a long time. Most dildos are designed as novelty items and are not built to last a lifetime. The exceptions are glass dildos, which may last a decade or more, and silicone dildos, which can withstand more abuse than other adult toy materials.

Proper care includes washing the dildo before and after each use with warm water. You can use a mild soap or a cleaner developed specifically for Adult Toys if you'd like. Adult toy cleaner will sanitize your dildo, and soap will help remove some of the bacteria that may form on the surface.

What is a Butterfly Vibrator?
A butterfly vibrator is a small vibrator designed to fit snugly against the vagina. They are usually held in place by leg and/or waist straps and are quiet enough to be worn in public. These toys can often be used during intercourse, allowing both people to be stimulated simultaneously.

What is a Venus vibrator?
Venus vibrator is another name for butterfly vibrator.

What is a Combination Vibrator?
A combination vibrator is a vibrator that incorporates a combination of features. For example, the Jack Rabbit is a good example of a combination vibrator. The Jack Rabbit stimulates the clitoris with the "bunny" while stimulating the G-Spot with the twisting shaft and the outer-vaginal area with the spinning beads.

What is a Cock Ring?
A cock ring is a device that fits around the penis, constricting the flow of blood and increasing the intensity of an erection. Just before orgasm the cock ring is released, creating a more powerful orgasm.

What is a Penis Pump?
A penis pump is a device that increases penis size via vacuum pressure. For more information please se our Q&A article titled: "Do penis pumps really work?"

What is the best way to clean my dildo?
Most dildos can be cleaned with warm water and a mild soap. Use the mildest soap you have, like Dove or better yet a cleaner specifically designed for adult toys. Some of the harsher detergents can, over time, damage the surface of your dildo.

What is the best way to clean my vibrator?
Unless your vibrator is waterproof you need to be concerned about getting moisture inside the vibrator, which can cause corrosion and ruin it. Using a cleaning solution designed for vibrators like Before and After Adult Toy Cleaner is a good idea, but if you don't have that you can always use a mild soap and water solution. Using a damp washcloth with a little soap, clean your vibrator and then wipe it dry. You can use a damp paper towel to wipe off the soap if you'd like, but don't place your non-waterproof vibrator under running water to rinse it!

How long have adult toys been around?
We suspect that adult toys have existed for hundreds or perhaps thousands of years. Dildos are simply items that can be inserted into the vagina or anus, and it seems likely that people used items for self-stimulation fairly early on in human history. We do know that the first vibrator came into existence around 1880. Around that time it was believed that releasing pent up sexual energy could cure disease. It was also believed that women suffered what was termed "hysteria" due to lack of sexual gratification, and the first vibrators were created as a medical device to cure this hysteria. Back in the 1880's vibrators were actually prescribed by Doctors.

Are adult toys legal in all 50 states?
At this moment adult toys are legal in all 50 states. The US Supreme Court, in a series of decisions back in the 1960's, ruled that sex shops are legal under the First Amendment of the US Constitution. However, individual cities are free to regulate the physical location of adult toy shops through local zoning laws. A few cities have attempted to make selling adult toys illegal, but none of those attempts have survived the appeals process.

Solutions to Common Problems

Why won't my vibrator work after I insert the batteries?
There may be several reasons this is happening. The first thing is to check the batteries you're installing. Are they fresh and charged? Do they work in another appliance? (a TV. remote, for example). If not, retry with fresh batteries.

If the batteries check out OK, the next step is to check your connections.

NOTE: Many vibrators come with a paper or plastic insert inside the battery compartment. Don't throw this away! Vibrators work best when these inserts are left in tact. They cut down unwanted noise by separating the battery from the outer casing and allow the battery to fit snugly in its compartment. If the insert is not installed the battery could rattle against the outside casing causing a lot of noise. The inserts also act as a moisture barrier, helping to prevent unwanted moisture from coming in contact with the battery, and helping to prevent any battery leakage from coming in contact with your vibrator's casing. Equally as important, and the reason we're mentioning all this here, is that the paper inserts usually have a battery "diagram" printed on them. This diagram will show you the correct way to install the batteries in your sex toy.

Installing batteries:
If you haven't already, check the battery compartment for a battery diagram. If it isn't written on the paper insert, it might be imprinted on the casing inside the battery compartment, on the battery compartment lid, or written on a card included with your vibrator. If you can't find any instructions, read the next paragraph.

Most often, sex toy batteries are inserted with the positive side of the battery sliding into the compartment first. On models where the batteries are inserted one after the other, BOTH batteries must have the positive end pointing towards the tip of the vibrator. If the batteries lie side-by-side, then one of the batteries must usually have the positive end pointing forward, and the positive end of the other battery must point the other direction. In some cases it doesn't matter which battery points which direction, as long as one positive end is pointed towards the tip, and one positive end is pointed towards the base. Check the battery compartment for a diagram - it is not uncommon for battery compartments to have a battery diagram imprinted on the casing.

Snug fit:
If your batteries are in good condition and installed correctly and the vibrator still doesn't work, check that the base cap is tight. A lot of waterproof vibrators come with a rubber grommet at the base to prevent water from entering the battery compartment. For the contacts to reach the battery, it is often necessary to tighten up the base. You can safely tighten up the base as long as you're twisting only the base and not the adjustment dial. Be careful not to break it! Twist the base until it comes in contact with the batteries.

Why is it difficult to adjust my vibrator?
Some vibrators, particularly ones that are brand new, can be difficult to adjust. Sometimes the dial controller at the base is put together very tightly and can take a little time to loosen up. If you're having this problem we recommend that you remove the batteries, twist the vibrator on and off for a few minutes to loosen it up, then give it another try. This method works most of the time, but if you're still having problems feel free to contact us and we'll send you a replacement.

Why does my new toy have an unusual smell?
If you've ever bought a new latex or jelly toy, or if you've just purchased one, you may notice an unusual smell. It doesn't exist with all toys, but for many it does. We receive a lot of questions about this new sex toy smell and we wanted to address it. First, let us say that the smell is not uncommon, and it won't last forever.

The quickest way to eliminate the smell is to wash your toy with adult toy cleaner or mild soap, and let it air out before you use it. The smell is caused by phthalates, a chemical used to soften jelly and some other materials. If you follow the instructions in our article about new toy smell it will go away fairly quickly.

What is that film on the surface of my new adult toy?
Many adult toys arrive from the manufacturer with a protective coating that can feel greasy to the touch. It is very common to find this coating on jelly toys, although other adult toys may also have the coating. It is completely safe, washes off easily with a little soap and water or adult toy cleaner, and is intended to protect the surface of the toy until it reaches its final destination.

Why does my vibrator rattle when I turn it on?
The primary reason for rattles and other unusual noises is a missing battery compartment insert. Most vibrators come with a paper or plastic insert that lines the battery compartment. Don't throw this away! The insert may be an important part of your vibrator.

The insert consists of a rectangular sheet of paper or plastic that is rolled up and inserted into the battery compartment of many vibrators. This insert serves several functions. First, it acts as insulation between the batteries and the external casing. Without the insulation the battery is free to knock and rattle against the outer shell, which can cause unwanted noise. With the insulation the battery is shielded from the casing, fitting snugly into the compartment. The insert also helps prevent any battery leakage from immediately coming in contact with the outer shell.

If you lost or threw away your insert: Don't worry! Making a replacement is relatively easy. Just cut a piece of paper or thin plastic into a rectangle. Make it as deep as your battery compartment. For example, if your toy holds two batteries, make the piece of paper as high as those two batteries, or maybe 1/8" shorter. Make the width of the paper wide enough to wrap around your batteries once. Insert this piece of paper, insert the batteries, and give it a try. It should do the trick. You can experiment with different thickness paper if there is still some rattle in your vibrator, or you can try overlapping your insert to make it thicker.