The Fleshlight is one of the world’s most popular male sex toys and increasing numbers of men are deciding to take the plunge and find out for themselves what gives them their ever-expanding appeal. However, one of the most common questions they have before purchasing a Fleshlight is how long it’s likely to last.
If you visit the official Fleshlight website, you’ll see that it offers ‘a lifetime of pleasure’, or more accurately that “With proper use and care, the Fleshlight will last you a lifetime.” If, however, you also briefly skim read a few forums or Reddit posts, you’ll soon see this isn’t always the case. Some users report never having any problems with their Fleshlight and never having to replace it, while others claim they’ve had to replace theirs after a few short months.
So the question is, how long do Fleshlights really last, and what, if anything, affects its longevity? This article will provide you with an unbiased answer to this question, as well as honing in on the factors that impact its durability.
Fleshlight Durability
The main reason the Fleshlight is so durable, and that its manufacturers are comfortable in claiming it will last a lifetime, is the material from which it’s made. Known as Super Skin, it’s a patented formula which allows for both a realistic skin feel for maximum pleasure and increased durability.
The first way in which Super Skin is more durable than alternative materials such as latex, jelly, and PVC is that it’s easier to clean and maintain. Being less porous than these other substances, Super Skin retains less moisture. This results in it giving off less of an odor over time or developing mold; both of which are good reasons for tossing a sex toy out and purchasing a new one.
Secondly, Superskin is hypoallergenic and doesn’t carry the same risks as other materials in causing an allergic reaction. Other materials, namely latex, are known for potentially causing a reaction in particular people, while others are known to ‘sweat’ and make their way onto your penis during use.
How Often Should I Replace My Fleshlight?
Despite the manufacturer’s claim that the Fleshlight will last you a lifetime, the reality is that you’re going to have to replace it at some point. Because the manufacturer stands by its claim of the Fleshlight lasting a lifetime, there is no official timeframe on when you should replace it, so the only way to gain some sort of additional perspective is to scan forums and articles to learn from the experiences of others.
Reading such posts, you’ll come across a variety of answers regarding how long a Fleshlight should last. Some users have held onto their Fleshlights for close to 10 years, some have had to replace it after 2 or 3 years, and others have had to get a new one after less than 6 months! It’s clear that there is no definitive answer. What is clear, however, is that there is a strong connection between how someone took care of his Fleshlight and how long it’d lasted.
Those whose Fleshlights lasted the longest or, better yet, had never had to replace them, were those that best maintained and took care of them. This includes cleaning them correctly, drying them in the right way, and handling them with care. Conversely, those that had to replace theirs after a short amount of time tended to clean them insufficiently or not at all, didn’t allow them to dry, and generally used them incorrectly.
For the rest of this article, we’re going to delve into reasons for having to replace your Fleshlight and how to avoid them; before ending with a few tips on how to make your Fleshlight last as long as possible.
When Should I Replace My Fleshlight?
Although there’s no definitive span of time for when you should purchase a new Fleshlight, there are certainly a few scenarios in which buying a new one is necessary. Let’s take a look:
Mold
If your Fleshlight develops mold, it’s a surefire sign that it’s time to get a new one. This mold usually comes in the form of black dots, although they have also reported as being blue or green. These dots will be difficult to remove despite vigorous scrubbing, and although there’s advice out there for getting them off (such as with bleach), most of it will result in further damage to the material.
As with mold found elsewhere, its caused by the presence of excess moisture. This could result from not cleaning the Fleshlight after use or failing to dry it properly after cleaning it.
Damaged Texture
Another reason to replace your Fleshlight is damage to its Super Skin texture. This often comes in the forms of cracks, tears, or a loss of elasticity; all of which will make the Fleshlight unpleasant to use and increases the risk of injury.
The first way that you might damage the texture is by using an incorrect lubricant. Because of its composition, Super Skin requires you to use a water-based lubricant rather than an oil-based one. While it might not be obvious straight away, an oil-based lubricant will slowly damage the Super Skin’s texture and render it unusable.
The second way to damage the texture is by cleaning it incorrectly. Aside with warm water, the manufactures advise cleaning your Fleshlight with their official cleaning product, Fleshwash. You should not, despite the temptation to give into convenience, clean it with soap, handwash, or sanitizer as this will also damage the material.
Lastly, heating the Fleshlight incorrectly is another common method of damaging its texture. The two reasons for doing so are to increase the pleasure felt during use and in an attempt to clean it via sterilization. You can correctly heat a Fleshlight in two ways: by submerging it in very warm water for 15 – 20 minutes or by inserting a heating rod inside it. Any other method, particularly boiling it or putting it in the microwave, significantly increases the risk of damaging its texture.
Ripped or Tore Orifice
The final case in which you should immediately replace a Fleshlight is if the orifice is torn or ripped off. The main reason for this happening is being too rough with the Fleshlight; particularly when drying it. Many users that have torn their Fleshlight’s orifice have done so after rubbing it with a towel over-aggressively, instead of patting it down as recommended.
Similarly, turning the Fleshlight inside-out to properly clean and dry it significantly increases the likelihood of rips and tears. Users that have damaged their Fleshlights doing this at least have good intentions in trying to maintain them, but as the next section reveals, this is an unnecessary step in its care and maintenance.
Tips For Making Your Fleshlight Last Longer
There are three factors involved in making your Fleshlight last longer: cleaning, drying, and applying cornstarch. Let’s take a closer look at how each one contributes to extending the lifespan of your Fleshlight:
Cleaning
The first step in making your Fleshlight last as long as possible is to clean it immediately after use. Many users simply rinse it through thoroughly with warm water, although the manufacturers also advise the additional use of their antibacterial spray, Fleshwash.
Now, many users, particularly those who balk at the additional cost of the spray, advise using a little isopropyl alcohol in its place. Although some users advise against the use of any alcohol-based cleaner, those that use it report no damage to their Fleshlight as a result. What’s more, when asked directly, the manufacturers have stated that using a little isopropyl alcohol is fine.
As stated above, what should not be used to clean your Fleshlight, is any other kind of soap, cleaner, or sanitizer, as those are likely to damage its texture over time.
Drying
Equally important as how you clean your Fleshlight is how you allow it to dry afterward. To dry it properly, place the Fleshlight on a cloth or small towel and then gently pat it dry with another towel. At this point you have two options: leave it to air dry or, if you happen to have one, to gently dry the inside with a thin cloth. Again, the emphasis is on drying it carefully, as being too aggressive is likely to result in textural damage or a ripped orifice.
As it dries, it’s also important not to put it back in its case until its free of moisture. Putting it back in its case with both caps fastened is a great way to trap moisture and cause mold to grow.
Cornstarch or Renewal Powder
Gently dusting your Fleshlight with cornstarch when it’s dry allows it to retain its suppleness and strength which in turn will increase its longevity. As with their antibacterial cleaner, the Fleshlight’s manufacturers offer a product known as Renewal Powder which is intended to fulfill the same purpose as cornstarch. Now, while it might be tempting to go for the official Renewal Powder, reports from a wide number of users state that cornstarch is equally as effective. What’s more, many that have actually bought and used the Renewal Powder have said that its actually just branded cornstarch!
