Sex Toys Materials

There are many materials used to make sex toys. How do you decide which one is right for you? You may prefer certain qualities to others, such as ease of care, or most realistic feeling. Here is a list of the most common materials with descriptions of what they are and why they’re used:

• Silicone is a very pliable, durable material and is one of the most common materials for sex toys. It is non-porous which makes it hygienic since bacteria don’t have a place to hide. It can withstand high temperatures and can be sanitized easily by boiling or putting it through a cycle in your dishwasher (be sure the toy is waterproof or any vibrating device can be removed prior to boiling or dishwashing). You can also use a mild soap and warm water to clean. Silicone warms to the body and retains heat, which gives it a more realistic feeling. Do not use silicone-based lubricants with silicone toys; make sure you use a water-based lubricant instead.
• Jelly is a very soft, often translucent material. It is porous, which means it cannot be disinfected. Condoms should be used if you are going to share these toys with a partner or use them for both anal and vaginal contact. You can clean these toys with a mild soap and warm water. Latex is often an ingredient in Jelly materials, so people sensitive to latex should not use these toys. Do not use silicone-based lubricants with toys made of Jelly, make sure you use a water-based lubricant instead. Jelly material may contain phthalates.
• Cyber Skin is the most realistic feeling of all materials used in sex toys. It warms with use and creates a very realistic skin-to-skin sensation. Cyber Skin does, however, require special care to keep it in good working order. It should be washed with mild soap and warm water after use and powdered with corn starch (never talcum powder) to keep the toy from getting sticky. Cyber Skin is very porous so it cannot be sanitized. Condoms should be used if you will be sharing these toys with your partner or if there will be anal and vaginal contact. Do not use silicone-based lubricants with toys made of Cyber Skin, make sure you use a water-based lubricant instead. Cyber Skin material may contain phthalates.
• Glass has multiple qualities that make it a good material for sex toys. It is non-porous and impervious to bacteria. It can be cleaned and sanitized easily with mild soap and warm water, or placed in the dishwasher for a cycle. It is hypoallergenic. Glass also requires only small amounts of lubrication, and can be used with any type of lubricant. You can warm or cool glass sex toys for added temperature sensations.
• TPR (Thermoplastic Resin) is non-porous, so it can be cleaned and sanitized easily. You can clean these toys made out of TPR with a mild soap and warm water. TPR is also hypoallergenic, nontoxic, and phthalate free. You can use water-based or silicone-based lubricants with these toys.
• Elastomers are soft pliable materials. They are phthalate free.
• Plastic is a common material used in sex toys. It is very hard, which makes it a great conductor of vibrations making it especially good for clitoral stimulating sex toys. Plastic is easy to clean and can be used with most lubricants. To clean your plastic sex toy, use mild soap and water.
• Latex is not quite as durable as some of the other materials used for sex toys. By nature, latex is very porous making it difficult to sanitize. We suggest that you use condoms with your latex toys for easy clean up. If used without condoms, you can clean your adult toy with mild soap and warm water. If you are allergic to latex it is recommended that you experiment with adult toys made out of non-latex products. (Do not use an alcohol-based cleaner to clean Latex toys.)