Sex Toy Materials and Care

In an attempt to both make my life easier and to help keep readers informed, I’ve put together this mini guide to material safety and care.  It keeps me from typing up care instructions every time I write a review and serves as a reference guide.  It’s not all inclusive as of yet, but I do plan to keep adding to it as needed.  I tried to include materials that I review often as well as materials I feel everyone should be aware of.  With that, I bring you Kira’s Guide to Sex Toy Materials and Care.

IF YOUR TOY HAS A MOTOR

Many of the care instructions you will see will make reference to the ability to boil the material or place it in the dishwasher.  If you have a vibrator or toy with a motor, DON’T do this!  It will ruin the motor of the toy.  Keep an eye out for words on the packaging like “waterproof” or “splash proof.”  These will give you an idea of how to wash the toy.  If it’s waterproof, you can fully submerge it when you wash it.  If it’s splash proof, you cannot.

Keep in mind that just because something claims to be waterproof doesn’t make it so.  Many “waterproof” toys have turned out not to be so waterproof.  Check to see how stable the waterproofing seems to be before submerging anything.  Read up to see if anyone has tested out this claim.  Some companies have warranties on their products that will cover a replacement if the waterproof toy turns out to not be so waterproof, but not all do.

MATERIALS

Silicone | Glass | Stainless Steel | Wood | TPR/TPE | TPR Silicone | Jelly Rubber | Latex | Plastic | Rubber

SILICONE

What it is: Silicone is a semi organic polymer that include silicon together with carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and sometimes other chemical elements.  It has low chemical reactivity and low toxicity.  It does not support microbial growth.  It retains heat and won’t fall apart even with extended friction.
Safety:  It is non-porous and phthalates free.  It is a body safe material, often considered one of the safest materials available.
Care:  Silicone can be cleaned in a number of ways.  It can be washed with soap and water, toy cleaner, toy spray, or wipes.  It can be boiled for three minutes or placed in a dishwasher.  It can be cleaned with a bleach and water mix.  Note:  Do not boil any toy with a motor or put it in the dishwasher.  This could damage the toy.
Lubricant:  Water based lubes should be used with silicone toys.  Silicone lubricants can potentially damage the material.  If you must use a silicone lube, spot test it first.

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GLASS

What it is:  Glass is an amorphous sold material.  One of the most common types of glass used is borosilicate glass, also known as Pyrex glass.  It is more stable than regular glass and will break into large chunks rather than shatter if dropped or otherwise broken.  Glass holds different temperatures well.  It is a firm, hard material.
Safety:  It is non-porous and phthalates free.  It is a body safe material, one of the safest available on the market.
Care:  Glass can be washed with soap and water, toy cleaner, toy spray, or wipes.  It can be boiled for three minutes, but do not expose it to sudden temperature changes as this could cause damage to the glass.  It can be placed in the dishwasher.  A water and bleach solution can be used.
Lubricant:  All lubricants are compatible with glass.  Silicone, water and oil based are all okay to use.

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STAINLESS STEEL

What it is:  A steel allow with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% content by mass.  It does not corrode, rust, or stain with water.  Different grades and finishes are available.  It retains temperature well.  It is a firm, hard material.
Safety:  Stainless steel is non-porous and phthalates free.  It is body safe and one of the safest materials available.
Care:  Stainless steel can be cleaned with soap and water, toy cleaner, toy spray, or wipes.  Nothing abrasive should be used on it.  It can be boiled for three minutes or placed in the dishwasher.  A water and bleach solution can be used.
Lubricant:  All lubricants are compatible with stainless steel.  Silicone, water, and oil based are all okay to use.

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WOOD

What it is:  A hard, fibrous tissue from trees.  Wood itself will absorb moisture so wood toys have a coating on them to prevent this.  It is hard, firm material.
Safety:  The coating on wood toys is non-porous and (for most manufacturers) phthalates free.  It is a body safe material.
Care:  Wood can be cleaned with soap and water, toy cleaner, toy spray, or wipes.  Nothing abrasive should be used on it.  It should not be boiled or placed in a dishwasher.  A water and bleach solution can be used on it.  Take care to avoid rough contact with other hard surfaces as this could damage the integrity of the wood.
Lubricant:  Silicone, oil, and water based lubes can all be used with wood toys.

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TPE/TPR

What it is:  Thermoplastic elastomer or thermoplastic rubber.  It has both thermoplastic and elastomer properties and is usually a mix of plastic and a rubber.  It has flexibility, resistance to fatigue, and heat resistance.
Safety:  While free of phthalates, TPE and TPR are porous materials.  You should use condoms when sharing these materials.  It’s not as porous as jelly or cyberskin, but more porous than silicone.
Care:  TPE/TRP can be cleaned with soap and water, toy cleaner, toy spray, or wipes.  It should not be boiled or placed in a dishwasher.
Lubricant:  Water and silicone based lubricants should be used with TPE/TPR material.

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TRP SILICONE

What it is:  A silicone based rubber compound.  It is not pure silicone, rather silicone is just one part of the mix.
Safety:  Most TRP silicone is phthalates free.  It is porous, however, and condoms should be used if sharing it.
Care:  TPR silicone can be cleaned with soap and water, toy cleaner, toy spray, or wipes.  It should not be boiled or placed in a dishwasher.
Lubricant:  As silicone is one of the ingredients, silicone lubricant cannot be used.  Only water based lubes should be used with this material.

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JELLY RUBBER

What it is:  Jelly toys are made of poly vinyl chloride – PVC.  PVC is made more flexible by adding in plasticizers, usually phthalates.
Safety:  Jelly toys are porous and contain phthalates.  There is a high potential for allergic reaction to jelly toys.  They often leak out chemicals, causing a strong odor or a film.  It cannot be sanitized and if you do decide to use jelly toys condoms should be used even if you don’t plan on sharing it.
Care:  Jelly toys can be cleaned with soap and water, toy cleaner, toy spray, or wipes.  They cannot be boiled or placed in the dishwasher.  Strong soaps cannot be used on them.
Lubricant:  Only water and silicone lubricants should be used with jelly toys.

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LATEX

What it is:  Latex can be natural or synthetic.  In nature, it is a milky fluid produced by flowering plants.  It can be made by polymerizing a monomer such as styrene that has been emulsified with surfactants.
Safety:  Latex is porous and can contain phthalates.  Many people are allergic to latex or may have a bad reaction to it.  It cannot be sanitized.  Condoms should be used even if not sharing.
Care:  Latex can be cleaned with soap and water, toy cleaner, toy spray, or wipes.  Alcohol and bleach cannot be used.  It cannot be boiled or placed in a dishwasher.
Lubricant:  Water and silicone lubricants can be used with latex.

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PLASTIC

What it is:  Plastic is usually organic polymers of high molecular mass.  They can sometimes be made from other substances.  Plastic is synthetic and derived from petrochemicals.
Safety:  Plastic is non-porous and phthalate free.  It is not considered to be as safe as silicone, but is still a safe material.
Care:  You can clean plastic with soap and water, toy cleaner, toy spray, or wipes.  It can be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol.  It cannot be boiled or placed in the dishwasher.
Lubricant:  All lubricant types are safe to use with plastic – oil, silicone, and water based.

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RUBBER

What it is:  Rubber is an elastomer.  It was originally derived from latex.  It is extremely flexible and waterproof.  Rubber can be natural or synthetic.
Saftey:  Rubber can cause an allergic reaction in some people.  It is porous and thus can harbor bacteria.  It cannot be fully sanitized.
Care:  Wash with soap and water or toy cleaner.  It cannot be boiled or placed in a dishwasher.  It is recommended that you use a condom with rubber due to its porous nature.
Lubricant:  Silicone and water based lubricants should be used with rubber.

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©Kira’s Kink – All content is property of Kira and Kira’s Kink. You may not use this content without my permission. Any use of this content without my permission is considered copyright infringement.

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