Sex Toys Materials and Safety

Sex Toy Materials and Safety: What You Need to Know

When it comes to intimate pleasure, choosing the right sex toy materials is crucial for both enjoyment and health. With the sex toy industry largely unregulated, it’s important to be informed about which materials are safe and which to avoid. Let’s explore the world of sex toy materials to help you make the best choices for your body.

Safe Sex Toy Materials

Silicone

Silicone is widely considered the gold standard for sex toys14. It’s non-porous, body-safe, and easy to clean. Look for toys labeled as “100% silicone,” “medical-grade silicone,” or “platinum-cured silicone”. Silicone toys can be soft or firm and are great for both internal and external use.

Glass

Despite misconceptions, glass sex toys are incredibly safe when made from borosilicate or soda-lime glass. They’re non-porous, easy to clean, and great for temperature play.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel toys are non-porous, durable, and perfect for temperature play. Ensure the toy specifies “stainless steel” or “medical-grade steel.”

ABS Plastic

ABS plastic is a hard, non-porous material often used in vibrators. It’s body-safe, affordable, and excellent at transmitting vibrations. ABS plastic is a common material used for the shell, or casing, of sex toys with hard exteriors. Many toys with ABS plastic casing are vibrators or penis toys like strokers and masturbators.

Materials to Avoid

Jelly and Rubber

Jelly and rubber toys are often cheap but can contain harmful chemicals like phthalates. They’re also porous, making them difficult to clean thoroughly.

PVC and Vinyl

These materials often contain phthalates and are porous, potentially harbouring bacteria.

TPE and TPR

While sometimes marketed as safe, these materials are porous and can’t be fully sterilised.

How to Identify Safe Toys

1. Read labels carefully: Look for specific material descriptions, not vague terms like “body-friendly”.
2. Avoid strong odours: A strong chemical smell often indicates unsafe materials.
3. Choose non-porous materials: These can be properly sanitised and don’t harbour bacteria.
4. Buy from reputable retailers: Trusted sex toy stores often have strict standards for the products they sell.

Caring for Your Toys

• Clean toys before and after each use with mild soap and water or a specialised toy cleaner.
• Store toys in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
• Use appropriate lubricants: Water-based lubes are generally safe for all materials, while silicone-based lubes should not be used with silicone toys.

By choosing body-safe materials and properly caring for your toys, you can ensure a safe and pleasurable experience. Remember, investing in quality, body-safe sex toys is an investment in your sexual health and well-being.