When it comes to adult toys, the materials used to make sex toys are just as important as the toys themselves. From silicone to glass and everything in between, the materials used can greatly impact both the safety and pleasure of the user.
It’s important to know what materials are commonly used and how to care for them. Let’s take a closer look at the materials that are commonly used to make sex toys.
Lets Talk about Sex Toys First
A sex toy can be an interesting way to spice up your sex life whether you are single or with someone. Sex toys are being used by almost everyone. Even you do not plan on using them often, you should learn some tips on how to care for them.
Sex toys can vary from those that will tickle you to those that vibrate. They can be used externally or inserted into the vagina or anus.
Some are supposed to be used slowly and gradually. While others are used for domination and submission. Cuffs, whips, other spanking toys. You have probably heard of vibrators for women, vibrators for men, butt plugs, dildos, anal beads, cock rings…
Materials Used to Make Sex Toys
Leather, latex, rubber: these are materials usually used for production of various BDSM toys and costumes.
Price for these varies, depending not only on material but also on the type of toy. It is good to keep in mind that natural materials always should have an advantage. Unless you or your partner have a fetish for certain material (such as latex).
Phthalates are often used for production of insertion toys, such as vibrators and dildos.
What are Phthalates?
They are chemical compounds used for the production of various plastic products. This is because they increase mobility of plastic polymers.
The problem with phthalates is that these days more and more research point out to their negative impact on human health and the environment in general. Phthalates diminish the level of hormones our body produces. Certain research has indicated that these can affect in a negative way uterine growth of fetus.
Additionally, phthalates are said to cause diabethes type II, asthma and various allergies, liver problems etc. Phthalates have been forbidden in child toys in EU and Danish Greenpeace asked that they should not be used in sex toys production.
Less Problematic Materials Used to Make Sex Toys
Maybe go for a little more expensive but better and less problematic sex toy ingredients.
Silicone and elastomers are equally good for sex toy production. There has not been report so far that they are causing similar problems as those that are connected with phthalates use.
Look at product information while surfing online and looking for the right toy for your bedroom. While sex toys are made from a variety of substances most are made from the following materials.
Cyberskin to Make Sex Toys
Known as a thermal plastic. This is the brand-name of a moderate elastomeric material that mimics the human skin. It’s humid and soft to the touch.
Sex toys made of these substances are more durable than latex, but also regularly carry over high price tags. If your Cyberskin ever becomes unpleasantly sticky, just give it a clean with a bit of cornstarch or talc to return it to its original texture.
Some sites promote talcum powder to restore sex toys and the various finishes. I advise to avoid talc as it has been linked to cancer when used in the genital areas.
ALSO it is better to use water-based lubricants on these materials. Silicone or any petroleum or oil-based lubricant can destroy Cyberskin. These types of toys are extremely porous so sharing of toys without a condom is not safe.
Care and Cleaning of Cyberskin
You should fully clean between uses. Coat them with an appropriate renewal powder to ensure that it retains its texture. You can also use cornstarch and a soft cloth to renew your sex toys and return them to their former glory. But the manufacturer is against “home remedies.”
These materials should be cleaned with only appropriate substances or only warm water and an antibacterial soap.
Do not use alcohol-based or other household cleansers as they will damage the material. After cleaning, dry it with a towel and make sure your Cyberskin product is completely dry before applying any renewal powder.
This will stop discoloration and protect your toy when not in use.
Silicone Used to Make Sex Toys
This is a soft and lifelike, hypo-allergenic material. It warms up quickly to build temperature. Non-porous and so is easy to clean with a mild soap and water.
It may also be boiled for sterilization to allow for sex-toy sharing with the use of condoms of course. Silicone can be sterilized in several temperatures up to 300 °C (572 °F). In addition, they can be bleached in a 10% bleach solution.
Sex toys made of silicone are more expensive than those made of jelly and rubber. But they are particularly durable and will last for years to come if they receive the appropriate care.
Care and cleaning of Silicone
As with all sex toys, you should clean this material before and after use. Use an antibacterial soap or as mentioned above, boil the toy to sterilize it completely.
When using lubricants with silicone sex toys it is important that silicone or silicone-based lubricants are NOT used. Because these may cause adverse effects and damage the toy.
Jelly – A Material Used to Make Sex Toys
These are made from a mixture of PVC and rubber, resulting in a jelly-like texture and feel. Sex toys made of this material feel reasonably realistic, and are relatively moderately priced.
They often look translucent and sometimes have a rubber odour due to its porous character. But most people are not troubled by this. One drawback to Jelly sextoys is that they are made with phthalates.
Phthalates are “plasticizers” or softeners added to plastics to make jelly more flexible, also transparent and permit them to last longer.
Studies have shown that phthalates can have health risks.
It is of the most watched materials in the United States and European Union for health concerns. I recommend that you always use a condom when using a sex toy made of jelly for better protection. This material may contain toxins. But there are again jelly-like materials, called Elastomers.
Care and cleaning of Jelly Sex Toys
Cleaning sex toys that are similar to Cyberskin, I advise you to use a mild anti-bacterial soap and warm water. Be sure to dry the toy completely and store it safe in a cool, room temperature.
Don’t let it come into contact with other sex toys especially jelly sextoys. Use only water-based lubricants to clean jelly toys and you’ll have more fun than bungee jumping!
Elastomers
Similar to jelly, the elastomer is less dangerous and of higher quality. An elastomer is a material that does not include phthalates. As you may have read, phthalates are “plasticizers” used to soften PVC vinyl. If vinyl does not contain any softeners, it will be a very hard PVC material.
There are several grades of vinyl. From food grade for your handy food storage containers or baggies, to the more economical grade that is used in shoes and other products.
You can quickly make a distinction out of the vinyls and plasticizers (phthalates) using your nose and noticing the scent.
The more odors you smell, the lower the phthalates used. You are probably aware of the terrible chemical smell that several of the “jellies” vibrators allot drown. This is basically the gassing of large amounts of phthalates.
Elastomers are a fully disparate structure. They start out soft and have a property that makes them harder. This product is therefore removed by vacuum so there are no residual hardeners.
No solvents are used for this process. This type of material is marvelous for manufacturing a variety of textures.
Care and cleaning of Elastomers
Using a water-based lubricant will be the ideal option to give the best results. These toys are great and can be frequently used so they should be cleaned before and after each use with just a mild anti-bacterial soap and water.
Rubber Sex Toys
Simple latex rubber is commonly used for the making of dildos, which isn’t as soft as silicone or jelly; rubber dildos tend to be not very realistic to the touch. They fall for one major drawback.
If you are sensitive to latex are not for you, but if you don’t have latex allergy, they can perform well through many uses when properly maintained.
Finally, like jelly toys, rubber dildos are porous, so they need frequent cleaning and can’t be used with other partners if you are not using condoms.
If this seems to you a material that holds a lot of negatives, consider the price: rubber dildos can be very inexpensive.
Care and cleaning
Cleaning with a soft cloth, an antibacterial soap and water after each use is mandatory when using a rubber sextoy.
Be sure to use a condom if sharing this type of sex toys. Water-based lubricants are best for keeping the long-term properties of latex rubber and remember the rules about sharing sex toys. As you run the risk of STI’s!
TPR
Thermoplastic rubber is a polymer material that has a thermoplastic character. Hypoallergenic, nontoxic and phthalate free.
TPR is less porous than Cyberskin but more porous than Silicone. So, it is better to be used with a condom to prevent the spreading of bacteria and other infectious agents.
Care and cleaning of TPR
TPR sex toys should be cleaned with an antibacterial soap and or specific antibacterial sex toy cleaners. This material cannot be sterilized by boiling and I recommend the use of a condom when sharing sex toys made of TPR.
Glass Sex Toys
Commonly made from fine medical grade glass (”hard glass”) of which Pyrex is one well-known brand. This material is fully non-toxic and can withstand extreme temperatures.
Glass toys are completely safe and are also non-porous. They can be sterilized to help reduce the risk of infection with reuse or sharing. These types of sex toys are not only durable, but also visually appealing. Often considered by some to resemble a true work of art.
Glass sex toys are a long-lasting choice to less valued toys. These toys can be used once warmed or cold. Some high end glass dildos feature Swarovski crystals. Sextoys are covered in 24-carat gold.
Care and cleaning of Glass Sex Toys
These sex toys may be boiled or get heated for sterilization, but if you are not sharing them with others, you can wash them with anti-bacterial soap and water.
As with acrylic, this type of toy may be used with any lubricant; silicon-based, water-based or oil-based.
Steel Sex Toys
These are made of chrome and are non-porous, can be easily warmed to high temperatures, are pleasurable, and beautiful.
Care and cleaning of Steel Sex Toys
No special precautions are needed for stainless steel sex toys, all of which are resistant to almost everything. You clean stainless steel sex toys in bleach and water, or put them in the dishwasher.
Care For Your Vibrator Tips!
What happens if you love to experiment in the bedroom, and your partner does not? Spicing up sex life with adult toys is a great idea, if both partners go along with it.
It is important to first discuss this with your partner, before actually ordering some toy from sex shop online or buying it in a adult shop.
New things and new experiences tend to frighten everyone, if he/she is not prepared for it.
Things are even more complicated when it comes to sex life.
It might not be that your partner is afraid of the toy itself or to try something new in bedroom. But he actually might be afraid that you are not satisfied with him alone.
Such insecurity leads toward fear of rejection or breakup, which is definitely not good for your relationship.
Maintain Open Dialogue
This is why it is important to maintain open dialogue. Do your best to assure your partner that bringing sex toy from adult online store is not reflection of partner’s failure.
You might also have to overcome partner’s negative stereotype about sex toys in Australia. But as long as you keep in mind that”it takes two to tango”and that both of you have the right to set up boundaries, it should be just fine.
You’re both passing up a major opportunity
Forty-one percent of ladies and men have used a vibrator amid foreplay, as indicated by scientists from Indiana University’s Center for Sexual Health Promotion.Up to 37 percent of ladies and men have utilized one amid intercourse.
Ladies who use toys report a large group of delightful advantages. People say vibes increase sexual yearning, erectile and orgasmic capacity, and intercourse fulfillment.
So it ought to shock no one that his-and-her vibrators are the most sizzling products in a couples bedroom. Get into them now whether with your partner or some solo play. Learn more about your body and what it needs.
Tips for Using the Sex Toy
As with all sex toys, there are certain rules for both of you to enjoy the game. Before you start to use the toy, make sure that it is technically correct. If a toy has a scratch or a tear, do not use it.
It is good to use lubricants to enhance the pleasure from using the toy. Go to a sex shop to purchase lubricant and ask the salesperson which is the best for your type of sex toy.
Lubricant Tips
Water lubricants are usually the best choice, because silicone lubricants will eventually destroy toys made of silicone.
Flavored lubricants can cause vaginal infections, so it is good not to use these often. Oil lubricants dissolve latex, which is not good especially if you use condoms or dental dams.
Cleaning Sex Toys
It is important to keep in mind that improper use of sex toys can lead to STDs. Toys are often in contact with vaginal fluid, sperm, feces or blood. So it is not good to share toys, unless you use protection.
Of course, it is important to thoroughly wash toys after use. If you are going to wash a toys that uses batteries, make sure to remove them before washing, and keep electric parts out of water.
Thoroughly wash your toy with wet cloth and soap, wash out with clean water, and dry out. You can also use disinfecting soap or disinfecting solution that will definitely destroy all kinds of microorganisms.
Care for Your Sex Toy
It generally depends on the material of which it has been made. You can wash glass toys with soap and water.
Put silicone toy in boiling water (just don’t keep it in there for more than 10 minutes). Wash nylon carefully with soap and water. The same goes for rubber as it is porous and difficult to wash.
You can wash vinyl with soap and water, but don’t dry out with a towel. Dry in air, because it easily collects fabric from cloth. There are special cleaning solutions for leather, but you can also use wet cloth. Do not put leather directly in water.
Keep your toys in a cold and dry place. A plastic box is a good storage idea. You can find additional information online how to care for your toy.
Roulla was a contributor on the adultsmart blog in 2014. She has since returned to her homeland in Greece where she has taken up a career in hairdressing. We wish her well.
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