3. Hygiene is key
When it comes to “mess”, what cleaning decisions you make really depend on how well you know your body, especially your digestive system. You are, of course, inserting something into your anus, so sometimes, people prefer to clean up 
before anal play. If you’re in a rush, you can use alcohol-free or baby wipes for a quick clean. If you’re looking for another easy cleaning option, go to the bathroom 30-60 minutes before you begin anal play. Empty your bowels and wash the anal area with regular soap and warm water. Unscented, hypoallergenic baby wipes are a great alternative.
If you want to take extra precautions, you can use an enema. For the very best experience, make sure to do any type of enema one to two hours before anal play. You can try a reusable one, or you can use a disposable enema (available at any pharmacy).
When it comes to clean-up after anal play, gentle baby wipes can easily clean up, while an Epsom salt bath can feel purifying, pampering, and practical for sore muscles. It’s also worth noting that anus contains specific bacteria that shouldn’t be shared – so thoroughly wash your toys in soapy hot water.
4. Don’t ‘double dip’
Another hygiene element to keep in mind is the notion of ‘double dipping’. Basically, this means that you shouldn’t ever touch the anus and vagina with the same hand, or sex toys (without cleaning thoroughly beforehand). The anus and the vagina are two very distinct ecosystems, and you don’t want to spread bacteria from the anus to the vagina.
5. Choose the type of toy
When it comes to deciding which type of anal toy is best for you, take some time to consider what use and sensation you’re most interested in. It’s also worth understanding the baseline differences between different types of anal products.
However, butt plugs are an amazing sex toy on their own. One key benefit is that they allow you to focus on other pleasure centres, while simply staying in. In fact, a comfortably positioned butt plug should not be pushed in or pulled out until plug play is over.
Butt plugs facilitate sexual pleasure, because they apply pressure to erogenous zones and create the feeling of fullness. When it comes to sex, pressure is greatly underestimated and overshadowed by the “in and out motion”. In fact, pressure is what enables many people to climax and experience great pleasure, both vaginally and anally.
When starting off, try something about the size of finger, that is easy to insert, and follows a teardrop shape or bulb, has a neck, and a narrow flared base for a comfortable fit between the butt cheeks. Another great option is b-Vibe’s Novice Plug.
Unlike a butt plug – which is only meant to go in and stay in – anal beads were designed to stimulated inside the body AND move in an out of the bum. The beads are inserted into the anus one at a time, creating a sensual feeling of fullness. They are then pulled out at varying speeds, depending on the desired effect. As the beads are removed, they arouse the sensitive nerve endings of the double ringed sphincter muscle. This stimulation creates a series of pleasurable sensations, like having a muscle massaged.
When starting off, I suggest choosing something small and preferably with beads that graduate in size. This allows the user to start with the smallest beads and then work towards larger beads as they become comfortable with the sensation.