What’s That Smell? The New Sex Toy Problem
Monday, February 2nd, 2009So the new package arrives and the excitement builds. I’ve received a toy that I’m excited to try and I want to put it to use right away. Depending on what I’ve bought, I could be in for an unpleasant surprise. Anyone with experience buying sex toys can tell you that some of them come right out of the box looking like a dream orgasm waiting to happen, and smelling like something we don’t want to touch with our bare hands, much less something with which we’d want to play.
Many explanations can be covered as to why a toy would have a strong odor. One is that plastics, rubbers and jellies used in the creation of sex toys have to be softened, and to do that, some companies use Phthalates. This will cause a distinct odor in a new toy, and one that many people don’t like.
Another explanation is that the toy’s packaging has led to an odor adhering to the toy. Some raw materials, like rubber, have a strong smell of their own. And a smell can be powerful. Sometimes the odor can make a toy unpleasant enough that we wouldn’t want it near us.
I’ll give you a few simple tips to help you deal with the smell of a new toy, and hopefully you’ll find these useful when your next toy arrives.
First, avoid toys that have Phthalates, if you hate strong smells. Setting aside any health concerns, these toys will have an odor and that odor will be persistent. In fact, it is persistent enough to seem nearly permanent. These toys are a bad choice for the sensitive nose.
Next, don’t buy scented toys if powerful aromas offend you. Scented toys have powerful smells that can overwhelm the person trying to use them. On a personal note, I’ve tried a few scented toys and I can’t bear the stench of a fruit when I’m visualizing something completely different. It ruins the atmosphere for me.
Assuming you’ve found THE toy you can’t live without, you can deal with strong smells by first airing the toy out. Take it out of the package and let the scent dissipate in clean air. Then wash it thoroughly to remove some of the scent. A good toy cleaner is recommended for toys in any event, and developing the habit of washing toys before and after use will keep play time safer. In a worst case scenario, where the smell continues, cover it with a condom to mitigate the smell. We strongly recommend the condom for toys that can contain Phthalates, or skin-like materials anyway, so it is a good habit to develop from a health perspective.
Some toys, like glass ones, don’t hold a scent for long, if at all. Silicone is usually scent free as well – though I have owned a silicone toy that had a powerful first aroma. But there will usually be that one toy we want to try and it could be made from a material with a strong scent. In that case, following the simple steps above may be the difference between pleasure and disappointment.













