No matter how well you take care of your sex toys, there is going to come a time when you’ll need to throw out your trusty old vibrator and replace it. It’ll be a sad day, indeed. But it’s for the good of your sex life, I promise. Replacing your vibrator on occasion will help to preserve your health by reducing your risk of infection. However, it also gives you a chance to switch it up and try a new toy. So it’s not all bad, right?

If you’re wondering how long your vibrator will last and when to throw it away, here are a few signs.

Signs That Now is the Time for Replacing Your Vibrator

• It’s damaged. No brainer, right? But if the vibrator is cracked, has worn spots, or is damaged in any way, toss it. You’ll find that you need to replace jelly and latex sex toys much more often than silicone or metal ones. FYI: Plastic sex toys tend to get brittle over time.
• It’s unexciting. You’re bored. It happens. Even the best of toys can get a bit too familiar with repeated use. Instead of relying on ol’ faithful yet again throw it out and buy a new toy to satisfy your lust for adventure. Don’t just buy the same toy again, either. Replacing your vibrator is an opportunity to have fun. Switch it up!
• It’s been around the block. With different people, I mean. Sure, you might have your standby vibrators that always get the job done, but a new partner might be a bit leery of using some dusty old toy you pull from the back of your nightstand. Instead, buy a new sex toy together to add some more fun to your sexual escapades.
• It’s old. Your vibrator might be in excellent condition. It probably is if you use a toy cleaner regularly and always store it in a cool, dry place. Still, even the most high-end toys should be replaced every couple of years. A lot of inexpensive vibrators wear out long before that due to the motor breaking, the plastic cracking, the jelly or latex splitting, etc.

And there you have it! Some quick pointers for recognizing the moment when your vibrator has lived a full life and needs to be put out to pasture. Just think of it as an excuse to go shopping!