Have you ever faced a tough customer enquiry? A difficult question about a product that you didn’t really know anything about? Wanted to write an awesome product description but didn’t really know where to start? In this blog series, we will collect some handy information for you on product types, their uses and functions and different kinks that you can – or might already – cater to.

Our newest series will cover the emerging trend of anal play and the bestselling products you can offer to your customers who are looking to get into some backdoor play – whether they want to experience their first prostate massage assisted orgasm or they want to push their limits with anal stretching or double penetration. We will cover the taboo-breaking emergence of pegging as well as the best ways to lubricate and remain hygienic when indulging in bum-pleasures.

This is the fifth and final entry to our 5-part series about anal play, you can view our first post about prostate massage here, the second part about pegging here, the third entry about butt plugs here and the fourth post about Double Penetration here. Watch this space for our upcoming series to be posted soon or browse our previous blog series on BDSM to learn about kink.

Hygiene & Lubrication for Anal Play

As our previous blog entries noted repeatedly, anal play is a very exciting, arousing and satisfying form of sexual pleasure that can appeal to people of different sex, age, sexual orientation or size. While men can enjoy prostate massage that can even help them achieve hands-free orgasms, women can also benefit from the stimulation of the myriad of sensitive nerve endings around the anal opening, not to mention the enhanced internal sensations offered by butt plugs and other anal stimulators.

However, as with most activities involving sex toys, hygiene and lubrication are really important when it comes to bum pleasures – perhaps even more important due to our anatomies and the mess that may come with indulging in backdoor play.

So here are some tips you should give your customers when they are shopping for anal toys or asking for your advice on proper anal lubrication and hygiene.

Clean Slate – Douches & Enemas

We’ve spent most of this blog series contemplating what may go in our bum holes, but we all know what comes out of there usually… and while some people might enjoy scat-play, the majority will want to reduce the encounters with any natural mess they produce as much as possible.

For introductory anal play, it might be sufficient to just normally empty the bowels and then clean the area around the anus with warm water. The anal passage can easily become irritated by any chemicals that might be in soaps, so it’s best to just use clean water.

For a more thorough clean, the use of an anal douche is recommended that can clear out the lowest parts of the colon making anal play stress- and mess-free. Simpler douches work with a bulb that contains warm water and a nozzle that can be inserted into the anus, once the water is squeezed in, and then expelled, the process can be repeated until the desired result and cleanliness is achieved. It’s important to remember to lubricate the tip of the nozzle before insertion and to only use warm (body temperature) water to avoid any irritation or injury. Also, the bulb should remain squeezed until the nozzle has been removed from the anus, otherwise it might suck back the water that was squirted in prior.

Other cleaning systems, such as shower douches and water bag douches (or enemas) can provide an even deeper, more thorough cleanse as they allow for the introduction of a steady stream of water into the anal opening with adjustable valves controlling the rate of the flow. Shower douches can be attached directly to an existing mixer tap while enemas often come with their own water container that can be hanged up to allow for the automatic flow of water into the nozzle. Both are offering a deep cleanse that will keep your customers confident and care-free when engaging in some kinky anal fun solo or with their partners.

Douching is entirely safe (when done with plain, clean, warm water) and many find it a very enjoyable and arousing activity on its own. However, it’s important to note that the anal wall has a natural mucus layer that keeps the bowels and the colon healthy and too much douching can cause this protective layer to wash away making it more susceptible to infections and even interfering with normal bowel functions. It is recommended to only douche once or twice a week, as this should keep everything fresh, clean and ready to play.

Other Questions of Cleanliness

Of course, it is very important to keep any toys that are inserted anally very clean between uses. Most sex toys can be rinsed with warm soapy water – silicone, metal, glass all rinse well – and/or cleaned with antibacterial toy cleaners. This applies to douches too; the nozzles should be cleaned before and after use to ensure hygiene.

Toys should never be inserted in different orifices without a thorough clean first. This means that no dildo or vibrator should be used vaginally and then anally or vice versa. This creates a high infection risk, even if douching was done beforehand.

Overall, it’s always a good idea to keep sex toys as clean as possible, but this is especially true when it comes to toys that might be used for different purposes and for items that are used anally.

Anal Lubrication

Since the anus does not produce its own lubrication like the vagina, the use of lube is essential to ensure maximum comfort and to avoid injury. This is something we’ve mentioned throughout this blog series and really, it cannot be emphasized enough: the more lube the better when it comes to anal play.

The general guideline is to pick a lubricant for anal play that is thick to provide padding and long-lasting so it doesn’t dry up too quickly. Therefore, silicone-based lubricants like the Sliquid Naturals Silver are great to use for bum fun as they remain slippery longer and do not get absorbed too easily which means less interruption and re-application during play. Silicone-based lubes are safe to use with condoms too, however, they should not be used with silicone toys as it can cause material degradation.

Alternatively, hybrid lubricants like the Lubido Hybrid Moisturising Lubricant, often combine the best qualities of water-based and silicone-based lubes, so they are simple and non-staining but with a touch of silky smooth silicone to make them last longer.

Whatever their personal preference, lubrication is a must when it comes to anal sex, so don’t let your customers leave without at least one of the following best sellers:

Ultimate Anal Douche – This simple and affordable douche kit covers all the basics that your customers might need. It comes with a refillable plastic bottle and two different, interchangeable nozzles, one for vaginal and one for anal use. Due to its small size, this douche is travel friendly and great for quick, on-the-go anal cleansing. This is a great option for beginners as it is easy to use, easy to clean and holds just enough water for a shallow but thorough cleanse. There’s a reason why it’s called the “ultimate” anal douche!

Deluxe Douche and Enema System – this comprehensive kit offers a great option for customers who prefer a steady flow of water for their douching and wish to avoid a more frequent water refill process. This hygiene system comes with a folding bag that can hold up to 2 litres of water. The pack contains a suction cup wall mount hook that will stick to bathroom tiles or any other flat surface so the bag can be hung up and it comes with two, interchangeable nozzles for vaginal and anal uses. Easy to set up and use, your customers will be able to get right into anal cleansing with this simple but all-inclusive kit.

Lubido Anal Ease Lubricant – While most anal specific lubricants are silicone-based to maximise slipperiness, this Lubido Anal Lubricant is water based, so it is non-staining and safe to use with silicone toys and condoms, but it is still long-lasting and perfect for backdoor pleasures. Furthermore, this lube is infused with Aloe to sooth sensitive skin and has antibacterial properties that help sanitise the area. Comes in an easy, lock-and-no-spill pump bottle, this Lubido lubricant will make a perfect bedside companion for your customers who are just starting out in anal play.

Pro Tip: Douching is also a popular element of BDSM play where it can be used for introductory, experimental humiliation scenes and explorations of power exchange dynamics. Relinquishing control over the water flow can fill the submissive, receiving person with anticipation and vulnerability while the act itself builds trust between partners. Who knew that anal cleansing can be such a versatile and enjoyable part of foreplay and sex for any couple?!

That concludes our fifth and final entry about Anal Play. Check back soon for more interesting and informative posts about sex toys, bondage and more.

Have any suggestions about what we should cover next? Struggling with any product type specifically? Have any feedback on this guide? Let us know in the comments section below, we would love to hear from you!