Key points
- Non-porous materials can be cleaned thoroughly; porous ones cannot
- Pure silicone, borosilicate glass, stainless steel and hard ABS plastic are good choices
- Jelly, PVC, TPE and similar soft plastics are porous and wear out
- A strong chemical smell or a sticky, oily surface is a warning sign
- Buy from shops that state exactly what a toy is made of
In detail
- Silicone: soft and durable. Look for 100 percent silicone; blends are porous. Silicone lube can damage some silicone toys, so test a small spot or use water-based lube
- Glass: choose borosilicate or tempered glass made for the body. Check for chips and cracks before every use
- Stainless steel: heavy, smooth and easy to sterilize. Some metals contain nickel, which matters for people with a nickel allergy
- Hard ABS plastic: common in vibrators, non-porous and easy to clean
- Porous materials (TPE, TPR, jelly, PVC, 'skin-like' materials, latex rubber): cheaper and soft, but they hold bacteria and can break down. Use them with a condom, keep them for one person and replace them often
- Softeners: some soft PVC toys contain phthalates, softeners that are restricted in many countries because of health concerns. 'Phthalate-free' says nothing about whether a material is porous
- Wood and leather: only with a body-safe sealant, and leather only on the outside of the body
- Terms such as 'medical grade' or 'body-safe' are not protected everywhere. A clear list of materials tells you more
Warnings
- Latex allergy: avoid latex rubber and latex condoms; use nitrile or polyisoprene instead
- Do not store different materials touching each other; some soft plastics react and melt together
- Throw away toys that crack, tear, turn sticky or change color
Resources and next steps
- Shops that publish full material information
- Consumer protection organizations
- The toy cleaning guide on this site