Fitted Play Sheets

Description: Synthetic vinyl, PVC, or neoprene fitted sheets protect mattresses and pillows from stains and lube absorption. Vendors offer standard US and European sizes. Custom sizes can be purchased from specialty artisans.

Alternatives: Waterproof mattress pads (for bedwetting).

Considerations: Playing with oil-based lubes (lipids and petroleum distillates) may affect the lifespan of these sheets. Consider cloth throws instead.

Mattress Pads

Description: Fitted waterproof mattress pads and pillowcases (made from vinyl, plastic, or latex) block lube and moisture from seeping into cloth fabrics.

Alternatives: Fitted play sheets or various overlays.

Considerations: Playing with oil-based lubes (lipids and petroleum distillates) may affect the lifespan of the pad—consider cloth throws instead for oil-based lubes. By themselves, mattress pads may deter from the mood of a play session because they are very institutional. Many fisters will place pads underneath traditional sheets or blankets to counteract the hospital-like feel of a rubber mattress pad.

Old Linens / Designated Cloth Sheets

Description: Designated cloth sheets are used exclusively for play, so staining caused by oils and silicone is irrelevant.

Alternatives: Fitted play sheets, mattress pads, and various overlays.

Considerations: Cloth sheets are usually permeable and should be used in conjunction with mattress pads or other barriers. Oil and silicone stains may still remain even after washing. Some fisters intentionally rub oils and lubes into these sheets so that stains appear to be part of the fabric pattern of the sheet.

Flat Sheets

Description: Vinyl, plastic, or neoprene flat sheets protect floors, couches, and mattresses from stains and lube absorption. Vendors offer standard sizes, usually just larger than the footprint of a sling frame. Custom sizes can be purchased from specialty artisans.

Alternatives: Heavy-duty disposable plastic (including construction-grade trash bags), shower curtains, moving blankets.

Considerations: Be cautious with slips and falls for floor sheets. Some plastics may degrade with oil-based lubes (lipids and petroleum distillates). Consider cloth throws and pads instead.

Moving Blankets

Description: Moving blankets are thick, fluid-resistant, polyester furniture pads. Large volume spills that are not immediately addressed can soak through and may result in stains or extended cleanup efforts.

Alternatives: Layers of old towels coupled with any form of plastic (trash bags, shower curtains, paint drop cloths).

Considerations: Like fitted cloth sheets, blankets can be washed and reused. High heat from the clothes dryer may disintegrate the polyester and fabric. Allowing moving blankets to air dry increases the lifespan of the blanket.

Shower Curtains

Description: Shower curtains are economical solution that are the perfect size for mattresses, couches, and sling underlayment. They can be discarded or even washed for those who are environmentally conscious.

Alternatives: There are no price conscious alternatives to shower curtains.

Considerations: Shower curtains make good play sheets for travel. They are relatively inexpensive, and their initial packaging is compact. After use on the road, it may be easiest to discard instead of refolding. Any plastic sheeting is prone make to rustling sounds when in use.

Plastic Sheeting / Drop Cloths

Description: Various grades and thicknesses of plastic sheeting/drop cloths create an impermeable barrier between lube, furniture, and flooring.

Alternatives: Construction-grade plastic bags.

Considerations: Rolls of plastic sheeting are good for protecting carpets and furniture at large parties. In one-on-one sessions, they may be overkill.

Underpads also prevent lube from coming into contact with flooring and furniture; however, they are typically much smaller. Most fisters use puppy pads, but there are several options that are more environmentally friendly.

Puppy Pads

Description: Disposable pads or reusable pads for toilet training dogs can protect mattresses, bedding, and flooring from spills and stains. Pads can be purchased in various colors and sizes. Larger pads are ideal for flooring and beds. Smaller pads fit well in slings.

Alternatives: Washable chucks, bedding, towels, and waterproof mattress pads (for bedwetting).

Considerations: Disposable pads are not environmentally friendly; however, they are the most efficient protection for potential accidents. Stained pads can be discarded while a bottom touches up. Disposable pads keep liquid plastics (PEO) from entering the water system.

Bed Chucks

Description: Bed chucks are frequently used with hospital patients and can be reusable or disposable. Reusable pads typically have a vinyl or waterproof backing that prevent leakage onto bedding, floors, and furniture. Disposable pads are sometimes indistinguishable from puppy pads; several brands have a wax like backing instead of plastic.

Alternatives: Puppy pads, old towels/linens, waterproof play throws, newspaper.

Considerations: After use, simply wash reusable pads with grease cutting detergent or Oxyclean then allow to air dry.

Towels

Description: Towels are ubiquitous and very versatile for play in slings, beds, and outdoor areas. Multiple layers are typically used beneath the bottom, especially when playing on beds or furniture. Sling play and outdoor play only require a single, strategically placed towel.

Alternatives: Reusable chucks and pads, old linens, moving blankets.

Considerations: Most of the alphabet lubes will easily soak through a single towel, so additional preventative options must be coupled with towels. Oils such as Crisco can permanently stain towels and may retain a scent if not washed appropriately. Waterproof options are often better choices.

Play Throws

Description: Waterproof fabric on a bed or sling creates an impenetrable barrier between the lube and your bed or gear.

Alternatives: Towels, small throws, chucks, and puppy pads.

Considerations: Alphabet lubes absorbed by these throws can still remain sticky and not be fully absorbed, depending on their viscosity. Having another towel on hand allows you to clean up the spill before it is completely absorbed.

Newspaper

Description: Layers of newspaper beneath the sling or play area can catch lube drips from a hole. Prior to the ubiquity of puppy pads, newspaper was the preferred preventative barrier of fisters.

Alternatives: Old linens/towels, chucks, and puppy pads.

Considerations: Aside from old towels and linens, newspapers are the most environmentally friendly option. At large group events, newspaper is a viable single use option that allows fisters to begin in a fresh play space. Several layers of newspaper are necessary and there may still be some seepage onto the floor beneath. Newspapers are unadvisablefor carpets and upholstered furniture.

Gloves are also useful for key points in play sessions. For example, a top my use gloves to apply or reapply base coats. A top may also use gloves while inserting toys into the bottom's hole in order to improve grip.

Finally, a bottom may use gloves during private toy play sessions to insert large, unruly dildos. After insertion, gloves are removed to leave dry hands that can open popper bottles.

Reusable gloves may be made of silicon or other materials such as PVC or latex. Silicone gloves may be sensitive to silicone lubes. PVC and latex will degrade with oil-based lubes such as lipids (Crisco) and petroleum distillates (mineral oil or Vaseline).

Crockery, or dishware, is an at hand solution for catching lube. Metal, such as aluminum, or hard plastics ensure there are no risks for cuts should a bowl shatter.

Fisting pups have implemented the use of dog bowls as lube catches, and toy players have also introduced dog bowls into their toy play. A toy can be set inside a dog bowl to catch lube, or the bowl can be flipped to give the toy a few extra inches of height. The additional height makes kneeling back onto a toy easier on the knees and joints. The height also situates the natural positioning of the fist chute to swallow a toy deeper.

Paint trays come in various sizes and materials. Small paint trays are usually made from hard plastic and are non-invasive and easily positioned beneath the hole. Large paint trays take up more space and can be cumbersome. They may be plastic or aluminum. Aluminum trays often have disposable linings that can be discarded after a session.

Small trays make great party accessories when a communal lube fountain is available. Players are assigned their own tray and refill the tray as needed. The advantage for small tray use is that the top must scoop lube into his hand and port it to the hole. The process ensures his hand is fully coated with lube.

As far as a preventative measure, buckets work similar to crockery and paint trays for fisters using the slings or fuck benches. Their size often makes them less of a prevention measure and more of an article that sets the scene.