When I stared this blog three years ago, I reviewed a lot more products. I was unemployed at the time, and this seemed like a good way to support my new sex toy habit without spending any money.

My first reviews focused on the positive aspects of a product because I was afraid that if I posted a negative review then nobody would buy anything from my affiliate links. So yes, in the beginning I glossed over product issues or justified them somehow. I don’t do that anymore. Mostly because I’ve moved away from reviewing cheap crap, but also because it didn’t work. I just made myself seem like the easiest to please vibrator user ever. I learned to be more critical, because otherwise I’m just writing copy and not reviewing.

I’m also more selective when it comes to materials, because despite insisting that I only receive phthalates-free toys, some products I reviewed early on were smelly and sticky, which made me suspicious. Back then I chose to believe the packaging claims, but I know better now.

I’ve seen some very positive changes in the sex toy industry over the past three years, but there are still things that need to change. There’s practically no regulation, so as consumers it’s up to us to know about sex toy material safety and whether or not any given manufacturer can be trusted. This is easier said than done, obviously.

Manufacturers can plaster “PHTHALATES FREE!” on the packaging for any toy they choose, no matter what kind of material it’s made from. They can claim it’s silicone, but it may not be. There might be a smidgen of silicone somewhere in it, but who knows what really makes up that squishy outer layer?

Well, we will know soon, thanks to three people who have decided to make independent lab testing of sex toys a possibility and started Dildology. You can read all about it on their press release, and please do because it does a great job of further explaining this endeavor.

They need funds to cover the cost of lab testing sex toys. They need supporters of every kind, so please help to get the word out. The more toys that get tested, the better informed we will be as consumers. This will lead to more accountability in sex toy material labeling, and perhaps eventually a sort of self-regulation, if not a little more honesty.

And hey, there are incentives! For those in the United States Canada, donations of $15 or more will get you a coupon code good for 15% off at SheVibe.com. Folks living in the UK and Europe will receive a coupon code for 10% off LoveHoney brand products for donations of $15 or more. For the truly generous, more cool swag like stickers and t-shirts will come your way with the higher donation amounts. All this info is on the donations page.

In case you didn’t already know, May is Masturbation Month. What a great time for Dildology’s launch, and I’m excited to participate in their fundraising blog carnival. This is something we all need, and I’m happy to do my bit. Blogs are good for that, but labs cost money.

Please visit the other participating blogs and help support Dildology!