When shopping for sex toys, it’s crucial to understand the materials they are made from, as these toys come into contact with sensitive areas of the body. This guide explores the most common sex toy materials, highlighting their unique properties, health and safety considerations, and maintenance tips.
Body-friendly: A material that is unlikely to cause an allergic response and is easy to clean and maintain.
Body-safe: Often used interchangeably with body-friendly.
Hypoallergenic: Materials that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction, though not entirely allergy-proof.
Medical-grade: Materials that meet or exceed the standards used in medical device production.
Nonporous: Materials without microscopic pockets, ideal for items that require thorough cleaning.
Nontoxic: Free from any toxic or potentially harmful substances.
Phthalate-free: Does not contain phthalates, which are chemicals used to make plastics more flexible.
Porous: Materials with microscopic pockets that can harbor germs, making cleaning more challenging.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic is a hard, durable material used in many budget-friendly sex toys and high-end vibrator bases. It’s the same material used in common household items like computer keyboards and Lego pieces.
General Health & Safety: ABS plastic is body-safe and nontoxic, commonly found in budget-friendly sex toys and high-end vibrator bases.
Lube Compatibility: Works with all types of sex lubes.
Cleaning: Easy to clean with warm, soapy water or a sex toy cleaner. Nonporous nature makes it hygienic.
Storage: Store in a cool, dark place.
Glass sex toys, often made from borosilicate glass, are highly prized for their aesthetic appeal and temperature play capabilities. Borosilicate glass is the same type used in cookware, making it durable and shatter-resistant.
General Health & Safety: Body-safe and nontoxic. Made from durable, shatter-resistant borosilicate glass.
Lube Compatibility: Compatible with all types of lubes, including silicone and water-based.
Cleaning: Nonporous and easy to clean. Can be washed in warm, soapy water, boiled, or placed in the dishwasher.
Storage: Safe to store anywhere; some users even display them as art.
Jelly is a soft, flexible material found mainly in budget-friendly sex toys. It was more popular a decade ago but has been overtaken by more durable materials like TPE and TPR.
General Health & Safety: Soft and flexible but porous, making thorough cleaning essential. Use with a condom, especially for shared use or different types of penetration.
Lube Compatibility: Suitable for water-based and silicone-based lubes. Avoid oil-based lubes.
Cleaning: Wash with mild soap or toy cleaner and air out if it has a strong smell.
Storage: Keep in a cool, dark place away from extreme temperatures.
Metal sex toys, often made from stainless steel or aluminum, are popular for their durability and ability to be used in temperature play.
General Health & Safety: Often made from stainless steel or aluminum. Ensure the toy is nickel-free if you have allergies. Nontoxic and body-safe.
Lube Compatibility: Compatible with all types of lubes.
Cleaning: Nonporous, easy to clean with warm, soapy water or toy cleaner. Un-powered toys can be boiled.
Storage: Store in a dry location.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a versatile plastic used in many sex toys. It can be soft and flexible or firm and hard depending on its formulation.
General Health & Safety: Versatile material used in many sex toys. Porous nature means using a condom is advisable, especially for shared or different types of penetration.
Lube Compatibility: Works with water-based and silicone-based lubes. Avoid oil-based lubes.
Cleaning: Hard PVC is nonporous and easy to clean; soft PVC is porous and requires thorough cleaning.
Storage: Keep in a cool, dark place, with soft PVC toys stored individually.
Realistic materials mimic human skin and are often used in masturbators, realistic dildos, and vibrators. They are typically made from TPE or TPR with special additives.
General Health & Safety: Mimic human skin, often made from TPE or TPR. Use with a condom for shared use.
Lube Compatibility: Compatible with water-based and silicone-based lubes.
Cleaning: Porous and requires thorough cleaning. Use warm water and gentle soap, followed by a preservative powder.
Storage: Store in cool, dark locations in individual sealed bags with a small amount of corn starch.
Rubber is commonly found in budget-friendly sex toys that need to balance firmness and flexibility, such as anal toys. It is also widely used in inflatable dildos and butt plugs.
General Health & Safety: Often contains latex; check for allergies. Use a condom for shared use or different types of penetration.
Lube Compatibility: Suitable for water-based and silicone-based lubes. Avoid oil-based lubes.
Cleaning: Porous and requires thorough cleaning with antibacterial soap or toy cleaner.
Storage: Store individually in cool, dark locations.
Silicone is the material of choice for many high-end sex toys and vibrators. It can be firm or flexible and is also used in bakeware and medical applications.
General Health & Safety: Hypoallergenic, body-friendly, and nontoxic. Popular in high-end sex toys.
Lube Compatibility: Do not use silicone-based lubes. Water-based lubes are safe.
Cleaning: Nonporous and easy to clean with warm, soapy water or antibacterial toy cleaner. Un-powered toys can be boiled.
Storage: Store in lint-free bags in cool, dark locations. Avoid contact between silicone toys.
Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and thermoplastic rubber (TPR) are soft and flexible materials found in many sex toys. TPE resembles silicone, while TPR has a more gel-like look and feel.
General Health & Safety: Nontoxic and body-safe but porous. Use a condom for shared use or different types of penetration.
Lube Compatibility: Compatible with water-based and silicone-based lubes.
Cleaning: Thorough cleaning required with mild soap and warm water or toy cleaner.
Storage: Store in cool, dark locations in individual bags.
Understanding the materials of your sex toys is essential for maintaining safety, hygiene, and enhancing your overall experience. By knowing the properties and care requirements of each material, you can make informed decisions and enjoy your toys to the fullest.
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