Sex Toy Materials

Silicone

Toys that are made from silicone are soft, chemically inert and are hypoallergenic. The material does not contain phthalates, but you should be careful as some sex toys are advertised as silicone when they are silicone and rubber mixes. These toys may actually only have a small percentage of silicone in them.

Silicone is ideal for penetration, as they transmit vibrations well and warm to body temperature. They are also non-porous and are easy to clean. Silicone sex toys are perfect for individuals that are concerned about having allergic reactions. It is recommended to use either water-based or oil-based lubricant, but do not use a silicone lubricant.

You can use soap, rubbing alcohol and bleach to clean silicone. Be sure to rinse the toy thoroughly after cleaning. If the toy is not a vibrator you can also wash them in the top shelf of a dishwasher or boil them for about 3 to 5 minutes.

Elastomers

TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomers) and TPR (Thermoplastic Rubbers) are becoming more prevalent as consumers are more concerned about the phthalates that are used to soften rubber. These sex toys are hypoallergenic and phthalate free. They are also good for individuals who are concerned about allergic reactions.

Elastomers are slightly porous, so it is possible for them to harbor bacteria. They should be cleaned with soap and water. Use a water based lubricant with these adult toys. Because these toys are porous, cleanliness is important. They are able to transmit infections if they have not been sterilized. These toys cannot be boiled, so you may wish to use a condom with them to keep them from harboring bacteria.

Jelly Rubber

Jelly rubber is made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and is made with softeners called phthalates. This chemical may cause allergic reactions and may be hazardous to your health. It is recommended that these toys be used with condoms.

Jelly rubber is porous and will harbor bacteria. Because of this these toys can transmit infections if not properly cleaned. These toys should be cleaned with mild hand soap and water. Alcohol, bleach and dish soap will cause the rubber to break down. Use water based lubricants with jelly rubber sex toys.

Mixed Materials

There are several sex toy manufactures that are using silicone in their sex toys to make them more durable. Silicone also makes a toy of better quality, however, these toys may also contain phthalates.

To care for these toys you will want to treat them as if they were jelly rubber toys. They may be porous and harbor bacteria so you should consider using a condom when using them. Only use hand soap and water to clean them.

Hard Plastics

Hard plastic toys are non-porous and will not harbor bacteria. They are also phthalate free. These toys are good for individuals concerned about allergic reactions. If the toy is a vibrator it is important that you do not drop them. The material may crack resulting in sharp edges.

These sex toys should be cleaned with soap, rubbing alcohol or bleach. Be certain to rinse these toys thoroughly if using alcohol or bleach. Hard plastic cannot be boiled and it is recommended that you use a condom on the toys to prevent the transmission of infection.

Glass

Glass is used in only a limited number of sex toys, most commonly for dildos, but is becoming increasingly popular because it's easy to clean and stays massively slippery for a long time when used with a good lube.

The smooth texture makes it ideal for sliding in and out of your anus, but do check your glass sex toy for nicks before and after each use.