1) yay! i love the ring too. i also get that stringy stuff, i think its just discharge that gets stuck on it. my gyno told me when she prescribed it that if i wanted i could take it out each day and rinse it in warm water, but it's unecessary.

2) my bf and i keep a towel under our bed. we just grab it right before penetration and try to position it where it will keep the bed clean. if the position we're in makes this too difficult, or if its more heat of the moment, then we use the towel to dab at the bed afterwards, but its not too effective.

3) the ring gave me that burning too, but it barely bothers me.