ARD Entertainment cares about our customers and we understand that there is a lot of information out there, some of which is false, so we have compiled a basic overview on adult toy education. We hope that this clears up some myths, and offers information to help our customers pick the right products for themselves. If you have further questions, please check our FAQ's section or contact customer service.

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Toy Types

Straight vibrator:
Straight vibrators are the most basic vibrators. They are either in a tapering cone shape or a realistic penis shape.  These vibrators are made from all different materials and can be as small as 4 inches long and go up from there.  The have a vibrating piece inside, similar to a bullet. The most intense vibrations will be found where the vibrating bullet is placed. Material type can also change the intensity of the vibrations, being that the softer the material, the more it will likely damper the vibrations and the harder materials will allow for more intensity. You should also note than generally the harder the material, the louder the toy will be. There are exceptions to this for every type of material. When a toy is labeled with a length, it is important to notice whether that is the physical length or the insertable length.

G spot vibrators:
These are different from the straight vibrators because the tip is bent or crooked in an upward direction to easily stimulate the G spot. The general shape and angle of the upward bend, as well as the size of the tip varies from toy to toy. It is important for someone to get what looks comfortable and appealing to them. With a G spot vibrator and a little practice, most women have been able to successfully stimulate their G spot. The G spot is generally found an inch to two inches inside the vagina and at the top, so the bent upward shape is designed to stimulate the G spot directly.

Mini vibrators:
These are just what the name implies, very small vibrators. They include: finger toys, tongue vibrators, as well as the small vibrators generally used just for clitoral stimulation. Mini vibrators look like smaller versions of the larger vibrators we are all used to. Mini vibrators should not be confused with eggs or bullets.  Mini vibrators are made from many different materials and come in a variety of shapes. They make great toys for couples. The size allows for its use without getting in the way or being too bulky to handle.

Specialty vibrators:
These are vibrators designed for multi-functional uses, special uses or with a unique design.  The most common and popular of these types of vibrators is called the rabbit. Originally a Japanese toy, it moved to America and gained popularity quickly. The Doc Johnson iVibe Rabbit is the number one selling toy in America. It is also the original American version of the rabbit. There are now thousands of varieties of the rabbit, and although it may be called many different names, the basic design of the toy remains. It is a straight vibrator that also has a small bullet attached at the base. This allows for clitoral stimulation at the same time as vaginal stimulation. The other two important features are the rotating beads or balls inside the mid section of the vibrator that stimulates the nerves at the vaginal opening, and the swirling tip that rotates to stimulate the G spot. This specialty vibrator is designed to stimulate three  intense zones on a woman. Another and newer type of specialty vibe is the thrusting type, which is designed so that the upper half of the shaft will thrust forwards and backwards, or in and out.  There are many other types of vibrating toys that fall into the specialty category. Many are brand new designs that have many different features or functions. Enough new toys come on the market every week to fill a catalog.

Bullets & Eggs:
A bullet is shaped similar to a bullet, rounded from end and generally the size of an average thumb. Bullets are a vibrating toy and usually run on watch type batteries inserted into the toy and are a dial speed control. Newer styles of bullets are now are being made with a separate remote. Bullets are what is found in vibrating panties as well as a variety of other toys. Egg vibrators are about the same size and similar shape to an actual egg. These toys are generally used for clitoral stimulation, but can be inserted with caution. Eggs and bullets are commonly wired to a separate remote and are controlled by either a dial or by buttons. Eggs and bullets are designed for just vibration, or a combination of different functions from vibration to pulsation. There are also many that are now being manufactured with wireless remotes. When using either of these toys internally, it is important to use caution as they can become lost or lodged internally, especially if they are wireless.

Ticklers:
Ticklers are a vague category. They are best described as a bullet housed in a variety of materials. They are worn by women for stimulation. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Smaller ticklers allow room for regular intercourse while stimulating the clitoris. Other ticklers have longer extensions that can be used to stimulate the anus as well. They are controlled using a remote or by a speed dial on the bullet itself. Some even come with a wireless remote, allowing the partner to control the speed or functions.

Ben Wa Balls:
Many people have heard of Ben Wa Balls, but few know the truth behind what they are and their proper and intended use. They are often sometimes also confused with Duotone Balls, however in truth, they are two very different toys. Ben Wa balls are small balls that are used as a vaginal muscle exerciser to help strengthen and/or tighten the vaginal muscles. This is especially popular among new mothers. They are inserted and the muscles tighten and hold to keep them in place and a woman simply releases and relaxes to expel or move them around. This exercise should not be done while laying down however. The balls themselves are made from many different types of materials, but are most commonly found in metal or glass, and they can vary in size.

Duotone Balls:
Duotone balls are similar to Ben Wa Balls but they have vibration. Duotone balls can be made in many different types on materials, but are basically a ball inside a ball. The outer ball is covered in a common material but holds inside a small metal weighted ball that rattles against the outer ball causing it to vibrate from the contact. The two balls are connected together by a nylon cord, which when tugged on creates a different experience. As your body moves, or as you tug on the cord, the weight inside the ball rolls around creating the sensation. Duotone Balls are usually a pair of balls but can be a strand of up to four connected balls. Duotone Balls may also now be seen with a controller and batteries for more intense and more controlled vibrations and referred to as Orgasm Balls. To use Duotone Balls, you just insert them into the vagina and go on with your daily tasks. It is even possible to keep them in during sex which creates a unique experience, but it is recommended that either you or your partner maintains a hold on the nylon cord. Anal use is possible, though not recommended and again, make sure that someone is holding very tightly to the cord so that they do not get lost. The sphincter is a powerful muscle that can create a sucking action.

Dildos/Dongs:
These are often confused with one other or classified as one type of toy. They are truly two very separate and different toys. First and foremost they are both a non vibrating toy, though there are vibrating dildos and dongs, these are simply another type of realistic vibrators. The big distinction between dildos and dongs is the base. A dildo has a base where as a dong does not.  A dong is a straight non-vibrating toy with no base or flair. A dildo has a base, which can be a suction cup, a simple flared base or shaped like testicles. This base can serve several uses, such as making it safe for anal play, or allowing the dildo to be used in a ring based harness, or the suction cup can allow it to be placed on a surface like a wall or chair and stay put.

Anal Toys:
An anal toy is designed more specifically to be used rectally rather than vaginally. They are made for use by both men and women. The most important feature of anal toys is that most of them are designed with a large base or flange. This is a safety feature, as the sphincter muscle acts as a suction mechanism and toys inserted anally can be sucked up into the rectum. Note that not all anal toys have a large base. Since other toys can be used anally, it is important that people are aware of this and caution is used when using a toy anally. Anal toys are another great couple toy. It is always a good recommendation to use lubricant. Anal lubricant is suggested for any type of anal play. It is also good to recommend an anal douche for cleaning up afterwards. Do not take any toy, regardless of material or type, from the anus to the mouth or vagina. This could cause bacteria from the anus to enter the body through the mucus membranes of those areas and cause illness and disease. If this is something you want to do or are concerned about, you can use a condom during anal play, and then wash the toy immediately after anal play before you use it for anything else.

Plugs:
Plugs are the most common type of anal toy and are the most recognizable. They are generally a cone shaped toy with a large flared base. They are used anally to provide a feeling of fullness in the rectum as well as for stimulation purposes. Some plugs vibrate while others do not. They could be either wired or wireless. Plugs can also be slowly removed at the height of orgasm to increase intensity. Plugs now come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so then classification of a plug as opposed to other anal toys is its use. It was originally designed to plug, or fill the rectum, stimulating the prostrate or anal opening.

Prostate Toys:
Prostate toys are fairly similar to G spot toys. They have a curved tip in the same upward direction with the intent to stimulate the prostate, which is found in the rectum the same general way you find the G spot in the vagina. They are almost always a vibrating toy. Though they do come in many different sizes, they are generally slender and only a few inches long.

Anal Beads and Shafts:
Anal beads and shafts are the last of the anal categories. Anal beads are very popular and common and most people know exactly what they are. Anal shafts are similar, but instead of beads strung together, they are solid. Shaft beads are like bulges. Generally with both you find the beads start at a smaller size at the beginning and they get larger in progression, though sometimes they are all the same size. Both beads and shafts work like plugs as they are inserted for fullness. They are slowly removed at the height of orgasm to increase the intensity. Naturally people find their own uses, but this is the basic design purpose of use, though they can be used for G spot stimulation as well.

Cock Rings:
Cock rings are just that, rings worn on the penis. Sometimes cock rings around the penis and the testicles. The purpose of the cock ring is to restrict the blood flow out of the penis, which keeps it engorged longer and thus the erection lasts longer. Cock rings should not be worn longer than twenty to twenty five minutes at a time. Lubrication is recommended when putting the cockrings on and taking them off. A lot of men enjoy the sensation of wearing a cockring. Some cock rings also come with bullets attached to allow for top and/or bottom vibration to stimulate the clitoris or anus of their partner as well as stimulating the wearer. Some cock rings bill themselves as turning a penis into a human vibrator. Cock rings are made from almost every type of material, and come in almost any style or shape imaginable.

Masturbators:
Masturbators are designed specifically for men. The variety in size, shape, and material is quickly expanding.  Masturbators range from a simple sleeve to life-like realistic dolls. The most common masturbators; the hand held sleeves, are being made from every type of material. Their basic function is to be held in one hand and used as a stoker, offering a different sensation other than the skin of ones hand. Often they are found with different textures on the inside to provide different sensations, and may even have a place for a bullet to be inserted to make them vibrate. They are commonly created with a realistic front end, taking the feel of a vagina, mouth or anus. There are also molded realistic vaginas, and anuses used for masturbation as well. These are a bit larger and are usually held with two hands or have a suction base to be placed on a wall or surface. These have been becoming more common and have a large range in size and price. Lastly, dolls have seen many changes over the years. Although the basic, plastic dolls are still common, higher quality dolls are on the market. The more realistic dolls are equipped with life like love holes that are made of Cyberskin or like materials. There are dolls completely made out of life-like materials. These dolls are life size and can be held in many different positions.

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Creams and Lubes

Water based Lubes:
Water based lubes are safe to use in most circumstances, including the use of any adult toy and is condom safe. It is quick and easy to clean up with water and most will not stain fabrics. Most water based lubes contain a preservative that can cause a minor irritation to some people with hypersensitive skin or those prone to skin irritation, however not all. Gel water based lube has a higher concentration of ingredients, making it thicker in texture and less is needed. Cream water based lube has a slightly higher concentration of ingredients than typical water based lube and a “whipped” kind of texture making it seem “lighter” in consistency.

Silicone based lubes:
Silicone is safe for use in most circumstances, however it is not safe to use with certain adult toys. Adult toys that are made with latex, glass, or steel are the only safe toys to use with silicone lubes. Silicone is safe to use with condoms that are made of latex. Silicone lasts a lot longer than most water based lubes and can be used in the shower or the bath. It cleans up with soap and water. Some lower grade silicone lubes have been known to stain fabric. Most silicone lubes are hypoallergenic, making them a safer substitute for those who have a reaction to water based lubes. It is possible for people with hypersensitive skin to have a reaction to silicone as well, but it is not as common.

Oil based lubes (petroleum):
This is a product derived from seed and/or nut oils and is accompanied by other all “natural” ingredients. It is safe to use with condoms and all other latex adult toys, however may stain fabrics. Warning: People that suffer from food allergies must take caution

Flavored Lubricants:
Many flavored lubricants contain artificial flavoring and use aspartame as well as glycerin to sweeten the flavor. Some have been accused of leaving an after taste not too long after and not so true to the stated flavoring. Some of the popular name brands in this category are: ID Juicy Lube, WET Fun Flavors, Sex Sweet, and Sex Tarts. System Jo flavored lubes are flavored with natural flavorings as well as natural sweeteners, leaving no “weird” aftertaste. The flavors are true and stay true to the stated flavoring. Waterbased flavored lube is the only flavored lube that feels and lasts almost as long as a silicone based lube. There are a handful of multi use lubricants on the market. These lubes are usually edible and used as a body topping. They can be warming (and used as massage oil). They are also used as a lubricant during intercourse. These should not be confused with other massage products. Some lubes contain added ingredients to cause an effect of stimulation and/or a slight numbing effect. These products are also now sold alone as a cream, gel or spray. It is often recommended that you purchase a condom to be worn when using either product to ensure that they do not pass the desensitizer or enhancer to their partner or vice versa.

Desensitizers or delay products:
Benzocaine and Lidocaine are topical anesthetics used to numb the area to which they are applied. Used in “prolonging” or “delay” creams, sprays and lubes to elongate the experience and/or to help dull the sensations.

Enhancers or stimulation products:
Menthol, peppermint, spearmint, or acacia honey are used to provide a warming or cooling sensation depending on the concentration of ingredients. Those who have hypersensitive skin should use caution while experimenting with these products because the ingredients used for the sensation could prove to be a little too much.

ARGININE (L-ARGININE):
is a natural chemical used to enhance sensation, by increasing the blood flow to the region to which it is applied. When used in other products, such as herbal supplements that are taking orally, the increase in blood flow not only enhances the sensation but can also increase the size of a male erection as well as female clitoral sensitivity and receptiveness. Those who are susceptible to skin rashes, or herpes, outbreaks should use caution as Arginine applied topically will promote the induction of a breakout. However, it is completely safe to be used orally, as with herbal supplements.

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Toy Materials

Cyberskin:
The trademarked Cyberskin material is phthalate free and only contains materials that are FDA approved. It is a newer material that is soft, flexible and lifelike. It is also a very porous material and delicate. It requires care and cleaning to maintain it safely and for a period of time. The more porous the material, the easier it is to harbor places for bacteria to grow. You should always have a good cleaner and a non-scented cornstarch powder for storage of all Cyberskin products. Cyberskin is a trademarked material made by TopcoSales, though there are many imitators on the market.

PVC:
PVC is plastic that can be made into hard toy and soft toys by using a plasticizer like phthalates. Hard plastic toys are the most recognized vibrators as they were the material of choice as vibrators became more main-streamed. PVC is also sometimes used together with other materials in toy manufacturing.

Jelly:
Jelly is a toy materials that is very non descriptive. It may contain a variety of different materials from PVC to latex. People with latex or other allergies should be aware that there is no guarantee what it is made out of. It is the most common material and is also among the cheapest.

Silicone:
Silicone is sometimes called the Cadillac of toy materials. It is easy to care for and can last for years with proper maintenance. Medical grade silicone is non-porous, hygienic and can be sterilized in hot water. It is one of the safest materials on the market. It is generally used in high end toys and is more expense, but in recent years there have been more and more toys being made with silicone and the general pricing has dropped. Silicone also maintains temperature and can be heated or chilled for a different experience and can even be put in a microwave or dishwasher if there are no mechanical or vibrating parts.

Glass:
Glass is one of the newer toy materials on the market. Glass toys are solid and often made of hardy glass like Pyrex. Glass is safe and there is no reason to worry about it breaking or chipping during normal use. Aside from being crafted into beautiful pieces of artistic design, glass has some similar benefits as silicone. It is non-porous and easy to care for. It is easy to clean, and also can be heated or cooled. Most are even dishwasher safe.

Stainless Steel:
Steel is another very new material that toys are being made out of. With the success of glass, steel is a step up. Steel has many of the same properties of glass, such as being able to be warmed or cooled, being non porous, and able to be sanitized. Steel however is a much stronger and durable material. In most cases the only way to damage it is to clean with an abrasive material or cleanser. Steel toys can take a little more abuse, be dropped, and still last many years.

Phthalates:
Phthalates Are used to make vinyl, rubber, and plastic. It is bendable and pliable and can be found in many products other than toys. There is controversy around the use of phthalates, but there is no hard evidence proving they are in any way harmful or dangerous. Phthalates are odorless and colorless. The only way to be certain a toy does not contain phthalate is if it is a hard plastic, Cyberskin, or labeled as 100% made of another substance, or labeled as phthalate free.

TPR:
TPR stands for thermoplastic rubber, which is a slightly porous material. TPR can be mixed with silicone to make it less porous. It is flexible and has along life if properly cared for, yet is not as expensive as 100% silicone.

Miscellaneous:
Miscellaneous refers to toys that are made out of various materials or can even be made with a mix of them all. Manufacturers are not required to list materials used in toys. Unless a toy is stated as 100% made of something, it could be a combination of any of these materials and are sometimes labeled as "jelly like". Toys can also be made out of wood and metal. The FDA does not regulate toys and the materials, so if you do not know, it is best to ask.

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Cleaning and Care
 

Regular cleaning is key to maintaining the integrity of the material of any sex toy. Be sure to wash before first use and immediately after each use before storing. Always be careful to keep water and cleanser away from battery cartridges and electrical parts. The safest way to clean most of your sex toys is to use an antibacterial cleanser. Wash the toy with a cloth, rinse it thoroughly, towel dry with paper towels or a soft, lint-free cloth. There are also anti-bacterial sprays that can be used along with soap and water for double cleaning power. However, each toy material is different and is best cleaned and cared for in its own special way.

Here is a  breakdown of how to clean sex toys by material:

• Silicone: Hypoallergenic and easiest to maintain, silicone dildos and non-battery operated toys may be boiled for two to three minutes, or washed with soap and water. NEVER boil silicone sex toys with electrical components and always use caution when warming any toy, not all silicones are the same. Let them air dry completely or dry with a lint-free cloth before storing.
• Plastic/Acrylic/Glass/Steel: All can be washed with warm water and anti-bacterial hand soap and sterilized using an alcohol-soaked cotton ball (rinse thoroughly afterward); acrylic and glass toys may be boiled or submerged in hot water if they're not battery-operated.
• Rubber/Latex and Jelly: These products are extremely porous, so be sure to wash them thoroughly with warm water and anti-bacterial hand soap, and rinse so that no trace of soap is left, as it can degrade the material and cause irritation to you. Again, while it's a good idea to use a condom with any insertable toys, it's an especially good idea with these materials.
• Realistics: Names include CyberskinTM, FuturoticTM, NeoSkin®,Soft TouchTM, UltraSkin, and FauxskinTM (if you're unsure of the type of material, check the packaging or product page, or contact Customer Service).  This type of material is widely used for erection rings and masturbation sleeves, as well as vibrators and dildos. Thoroughly wash with warm (never hot) water and a liquid antibacterial soap, then let air dry completely. Once dry, sprinkle with the included "renewing" powder or cornstarch. Never use talcum powder or baby powder, as these can cause irritation and sometimes larger problems for women (pure talc is fine but very difficult to find).

NEVER USE A HARSH ABRASIVE CLEANSER OR SCRUB PAD TO WASH ANY TYPE OF TOY!

Because sex toys not only touch your skin, but touch very intimate areas of your body, it's extremely important to know whether you have any allergies or sensitivities to certain materials, cleansers, etc. If you're not sure, we highly recommend that you do an allergy test on a small patch of skin, such as the wrist, before using any product.

How you store your sex toys is as important as how you clean them. There are some basic things you can do to prolong the life of any toy, as well as keep it clean and safe from harm.

• Always remove the batteries when you're done using any toy so they can't leak, run down, or otherwise corrupt the toy; both the batteries and the toy itself will last longer!
• Be sure your toys are completely dry before storage to discourage mold and mildew.
• Keep each item separate by wrapping it in a soft cloth). Some materials are not compatible with each other and can cause melting or discoloration. If vibrating bullets and eggs are removable, store them separately from their respective toys as well.
• Direct sunlight and excess heat may cause toys and condoms to melt, discolor, or dry out, so store these items in a cool, dark place such as a dresser drawer or trunk. Extreme cold can also do damage to toys not made of acrylic, glass, or silicone, and only if those are not battery-operated, so never refrigerate or freeze soft materials or condoms.
• Always clean your sex toys

 

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