Let's face it: As the standard of living becomes more comfortable, it has become increasingly difficult to afford those little treats and luxury items.

Many of us are cutting back on expenses, from going out at night to buying new clothes. So if you keep eyeing a trendy new sex toy, you might wait until your next payday to purchase it. This is completely reasonable.

However, while waiting for that toy, you might think about what else in the house could serve as a substitute. After all, we've all heard of the various uses of cucumbers beyond making salads, an electric toothbrush has become a temporary vibrator, and socks have been used for sex before being thrown into the laundry basket.

There are certain items in the house that can definitely be used as sex toys, while others definitely cannot. Next, we will guide you through all the things that can and cannot be used, and offer you some suggestions to help you view some items in your home from a new perspective.

Firstly, for internal or direct sexual stimulation, we do not recommend using any clean or safe sex toys. But we also know that people are curious. If such toys really exist, it's likely that someone has already tried using them for sexual activities! So, when considering any new sex toys, whether homemade or others, always keep in mind some important health prevention measures.

Just like when you purchase sex toys in a physical store or online, you should be aware of their materials. Choose materials that are harmless to the body and easy to clean and disinfect. We recommend using silicone, heat-resistant glass, and stainless steel. If your toy is made of other materials and needs to be inserted into the body, we suggest using condoms or oral protection films between the skin and the toy to prevent the spread of bacteria. Even if you use condoms or oral protection films when using the toy, you should clean it before and after each use, and store it in a box or bag after each use.

You should also be aware of the material of the toy, as it will determine the type of lubricant that can be used: for instance, silicone-based lubricants cannot be used with silicone toys.

It is also very important to pay attention to some basic safety precautions: Do not place any items that may be sharp, pointed, damaged or about to break near your body, especially in your mouth or genitals. For example, the cheap fake penis you receive in a gift bag at a bachelor party is likely to be thrown away - to prevent it from breaking into two pieces!

Taking this into account... Let's first take a look at some items in the house. You probably shouldn't use them as sex toys.

vegetable

Yes, we have all occasionally seen a type of zucchini that looks very much like a penis in the supermarket, or we have heard such urban legends: If you heat a certain fruit in a microwave and then put a penis inside, it feels just like a vagina.

Overall, we recommend against using vegetables as sex toys. Putting any organic matter (such as fruits or vegetables) into or penetrating the body poses safety risks: you don't know what bacteria or pesticides they might contain. These substances could cause infections. We also suggest not placing any part of the body into a microwave or items that have been heated in a microwave, to prevent them from accidentally becoming extremely hot.

However, if you have to eat that zucchini, we suggest that you put on a condom first, then immediately discard it. Don't keep it for making a salad the next day, and definitely don't give it to your roommate to eat either.

electric toothbrush

The vibration and movement patterns of electric toothbrushes make them seem like potential alternatives to vibrators, but should you give them a try?

We voted against it. The bristles of the toothbrush are very suitable for your teeth, but they might be too hard for the delicate skin around the genitals. Toothbrushes are used to remove food residues and plaque from the hard enamel of the teeth, not to stimulate one of the most sensitive parts of your body.

If you really want to give it a try, we suggest you place it on your underwear or a thin cloth. Of course, you should also prepare a special brush for self-pleasure.

Any toy without a trumpet-shaped base, used for anal sex

If you want to try anal sex, please remember that you must never insert anything into the anus unless there is a trumpet-shaped opening at the bottom of the anus, which can prevent the toy from being fully inserted. Unlike the vulva, the anus has no "end" - it extends all the way to the colon and intestines, so if the toy is fully inserted, it is very easy to lose it there. Trying to retrieve the lost toy alone can be very painful and even cause more harm, so it is recommended that you go to the emergency room immediately after losing the toy when attempting anal sex.

The Internet is filled with stories of bottles, sticks and other household items getting into people's rectums - to avoid the pain, you (or your partner!) can use your fingers instead.

Of course, there are some household items that can be easily incorporated into masturbation and sexual activities. Here are our suggestions:

Covers and fabric.

These can be used to make great eye masks. If you are trying BDSM, you can also use them to tie your partner's wrists and ankles to the bedposts. In fact, if you are trying restraint for the first time, we recommend you use them because they are very soft and make it easy for your hands to slip out. Of course, if you use them as eye masks, make sure that your partner's nose and mouth are not covered.

Wooden spoons and wooden shovels.

Do you want to try spanking? Wooden spoons or wooden shovels are good choices. At the beginning, the movements should be gentle and slow. Let your partner guide you on when to increase the force and speed.

Back massager.

Or it should be said "back massager". If you have a vibrating massager at hand, you can easily place it between your legs and use it as a vibrator. Just make sure to clean it thoroughly before and after each use.

The pillow.

Some people like to place the pillow between their legs and rub or twist it to reach orgasm. We recommend using clean pillowcases each time and using only your own specific pillow.

Washing machines and dryers.

If your washing machine or dryer makes a particularly loud noise while running, sitting on it might be quite comfortable. Some people say that sitting on a dryer and being penetrated by a partner can bring about an amazing orgasm - if you're curious, we'll let you experience it for yourself!

Chicken feather duster.

Do you want to tickle your partner or tease them? Use the chicken feather duster to gently brush their skin. However, after the sexual activity, inviting them to quickly sweep the bookshelf with the duster might draw some people's disapproving glances.