Dr. Ando's Answer

Posted on 06/11/2008 at 05:48 am PST

Dear mynerdgirl,

Glass dildos can be gorgeous additions to one's sex toy collection.They are usually made of borosilicate glass, which is the same material as Pyrex. They offer a much harder and heavier sensation than silicone or plastic toys, despite being lighter than ordinary glass. Some benefits to choosing glass dildos is their non-porous nature, which means there are no microscopic holes for bacteria or other undesirables. Glass dildos can be heated or cooled for temperature play by immersing in warm water or a bowl with some ice and cold water. Borosilicate glass has a very low thermal expansion coefficient, about one-third that of ordinary glass. This reduces material stresses caused by temperature changes, making it more resistant to breaking, and makes cleaning much easier and effective.Cleaning consists of soap and water, or if there are no moving parts (vibrators, etc.), it can be sterilized by putting it in the dishwasher or boiling it for ten minutes. They can also be safely shared with another person by boiling or cleaning it before the next person uses it. Any body-safe lubricant can be used with a glass dildo.

Be careful of: heating or cooling glass dildos too quickly. If you just boiled your toy and want to freeze it, let it cool to room temperature first - slowing down the temperature change will reduce stress on the material. While borosilicate glass is resistant to breaking, the dildo can get scratched when getting knocked against hard things (other toys, the boiling pot). When storing or transporting glass toys, pack them in a soft bag, particularly in any checked airline baggage.

It's really up to your personal preference if you like them better than your other sex toys. Toys are such a personalized thing, if it's at all possible for you to borrow a friend's glass dildo, take it for a few test runs (remember to boil it first!). Each material that toys are made of will offer a different sensation. You might even prefer different dildos on different days.

Cheers!

Dr. Ando