Cleaning the Tube
Although I’ve been a member here for many years, I have not been a frequent poster. This one is long. Sorry for that, because I know most of us have a very short attention span these days.
-Discovered something new today that I thought I should share having to do with cleaning the Vacuum Cylinder. Warning! Don’t use rubbing alcohol on a plastic cylinder.
Although I wash my cylinders after each use with soap and water, this one seemed to retain a slight odor. It could be from the lube I use which is organic food grade, virgin coconut oil.
Anyway I wanted to get it really clean, so I used a cap full of rubbing alcohol, which I poured into the cylinder. A few minutes later it cracked. Not just in one place but everywhere. These weren’t small surface cracks, they went all the way though the plastic in every direction. At first I thought I must have dropped it in the sink and not realized this, but as I was holding it and looking at it, it continued to crack right before my eyes. Long story short, I did an internet search and sure enough any kind of alcohol or acetone will do this to certain kinds of plastic. -Lesson learned.
I’ve ordered a replacement cylinder which I won’t be cleaning with alcohol or anything that’s stronger than plain old soap and hot water. Fortunately, I have a 2.25” backup cylinder which I will use in the meantime. The cracked cylinder was 2” which I easily fill. I liked it because it didn’t create the donut effect that a larger one sometimes does. However, I am replacing it with a 2.125” cylinder.
The cylinders I buy have clear measuring tape on the side, which I find handy. Over time the tape comes loose. Marking the cylinder to measure progress is a nuisance and it rubs off easily. Again searching internet, I found a foil tape that sticks really well and stays stuck for a long time. I prefer the clear tape the cylinder comes with, but have not yet found where to purchase it.
On another related topic. You may wonder what prompted me to want to basically sterilize the cylinder. Here’s why; about a week ago I noticed a small area just under the head of my penis that was white. I thought is must be coconut oil residue and tried to rub it off which didn’t happen. It didn’t itch and it wasn’t painful. What could it be? Well, as best as I could figure out, it was a fungus that’s sometimes called jock itch and is related to athlete’s foot, which I’ve never had. The recommended treatment is over the counter Lotrimin AF. I bought some and started using it right away. The good news is that whatever that white area was Lotrimin AF took care of it.
BTW, I am something of a clean freak and I shower almost daily. I am circumcised. Staying clean is not an issue. I didn’t catch it from someone else (STD), unless it has been laying dormant for a very long time, (sad face).
If you believe in it, it will happen. ;)