Getting a dynamite tan in the privacy of your own home may sound simple -- buy a tanning bed, plug it in, and tan -- but don't forget to buy the right tanning bed supplies as well.

No matter what brand of tanning bed you buy, you will need to purchase certain basic tanning bed supplies, including:

* Tanning bed cleaners
* Eye goggles
* Tanning lotion
* Extra bulbs

Even if you are not sharing your tanning bed with anyone, it is important to properly clean the bed after each use to remove body oils and tanning lotion from the surface. A dirty surface can refract the ultraviolet (UV) light and can lead to uneven tanning and may even harm the bed's finish.

Eye goggles are necessary to protect your eyes from unintentional harm from the UV rays. Just like when tanning outdoors, prolonged exposure can actually burn your eyes.

Tanning lotions serve a dual purpose. First, they are designed to aid in the tanning process by allowing your skin to tan darker with less exposure to UV rays and by adding much needed moisture to your skin.

Last, it is a good idea to keep a full set of extra bulbs on hand. While most tanning bed bulbs are guaranteed to provide a certain number of hours of consistent tanning, occasionally, a bulb will burn out at the most inopportune time. By having bulbs on hand, you won't have to miss a tanning session while picking up or ordering new ones. Additionally, it is always a good idea to replace all of the bulbs at the same time. The tanning bed lights tend to lose efficiency with use, so changing bulbs randomly can lead to uneven tanning.

An optional tanning bed supply you may want to invest in is tanning bed pillows and stickers. For many, laying on a flat surface for a prolonged period of time can lead to backaches. A pillow can relieve some of the pressure and make your tanning experience more enjoyable. Tanning stickers are a great way to keep track of how much of a tan you have received over time, and they are an inexpensive extra that can be fun and even decorative.

By purchasing the right tanning bed supplies you can make your tanning experience more enjoyable and prolong the life of your bed.