Sex Toy Material Safety Guide

Your Body, Your Toys, Your Rules: Guide to Sex Toy Safety

Choosing a new sex toy can be an exciting journey into pleasure and self-discovery. But stepping into that world can also feel overwhelming. You're met with many different shapes, sizes, and, most confusingly, materials.

What’s the difference between silicone and TPE? Is glass safe? Why do some toys have a strange chemical smell? 

We'll help you understand sex toy materials, cleaning protocols, and safe-use practices that are fundamental to your sexual health. Practicing safe sex extends beyond contraception; it encompasses the safety of the pleasure products we choose to bring into our most intimate moments.

The skin of our genitals and anus is incredibly sensitive and highly absorbent. This means that the material of any object we use intimately is very important. Harmful chemicals can transfer from a low-quality sex toy into your body, and a sex toy that can't be properly cleaned can become a vehicle for infection. 

The Most Important Factor: Porous vs. Non-Porous Materials

The Foundation of Toy Safety

Before we discuss specific materials, we must establish the single most important concept in toy safety: the difference between porous and non-porous surfaces. Think of it this way: a non-porous material is like a glass countertop. It’s smooth, solid, and has absolutely nowhere for germs to hide. You can wipe it clean, and you know it's hygienic. A porous material, on the other hand, is like a kitchen sponge. Even when it looks clean on the outside, its surface is filled with microscopic holes and tunnels that trap water, food particles, and bacteria.

Why Porosity Matters

This distinction is critical for your health. Porous sex toys can absorb bodily fluids, lubricants, and bacteria. Even with thorough washing, you can't reach inside these tiny pores to clean them out. This creates a permanent, invisible breeding ground for germs, mold, and fungi that can cause recurrent infections like bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections, or urinary tract infections (UTIs) every time you use the toy.

The physical structure of the material—its porosity—is what creates the biological risk. Standard washing only addresses the surface, leaving a hidden reservoir of microbes that can be reintroduced to your body during your next session.

A super low price on a sex toy might seem like a bargain, but it's often a red flag. The sex toy industry isn't heavily regulated, which means the quality of products can vary a lot. 

This puts the power in your hands to be selective. The best way to ensure you're getting a safe and hygienic product is to buy from well-known brands and trusted retailers. These companies prioritize your well-being and are transparent about the materials they use, giving you peace of mind.

Reputable brands build their names on quality and safety, not by cutting corners. Investing in a toy from a brand you can trust means you're putting your health and pleasure first.

The Non-Porous Champions (The Safest Choices)

These sex toy materials are the easiest to keep hygienically clean because they have a solid, smooth surface that does not absorb germs. They are the gold standard for internal use.

• 100% Silicone (not to be confused with silicone blends)
• Borosilicate Glass
• Stainless Steel
• Hard Plastics like ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

Health organizations and sexual health educators consistently recommend these materials as the safest choice for sex toys used on and in your body.

The Porous Materials

These materials have a structure that's like a sponge, with tiny, microscopic holes. Because of these little holes, you need to take an extra safety step: always use a condom with them.

• TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)
• TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber)
• "Jelly" or "Jelly Rubber"
• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and Vinyl
• Silicone Blends
• Unsealed Wood or Stone

These materials are consistently identified as porous and are associated with a higher risk of hygiene issues and potential exposure to harmful chemicals like phthalates.

The Champions of Body-Safe Pleasure: A Deep Dive

Investing in a sex toy made from a premium, non-porous material is one of the best decisions you can make for your sexual health. These materials are not only safer but also offer unique properties that can enhance your pleasure.

100% Medical-Grade Silicone: The Flexible, Skin-Like All-Star

Often called the "gold standard" of sex toy materials, 100% medical-grade silicone has earned its reputation for a reason.

• Benefits: It is completely non-porous, hypoallergenic, and free from harmful additives like phthalates, BPA, and latex, making it an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin or latex allergies. It is incredibly durable and built to last for years with proper care. Furthermore, silicone is chemically stable and inert, meaning it won't break down over time or leach toxic chemicals into your body. It also has a wonderful ability to retain body heat, quickly warming up to feel natural and comfortable during use.
• The Critical Distinction: Not all materials labeled "silicone" are created equal. The safest and highest quality is "platinum-cured" or "medical-grade" silicone. This type undergoes a curing process that results in a pure, biocompatible, and non-toxic final product. In contrast, cheaper toys might be made from "silicone blends" or lower-quality, "peroxide-cured" silicone. These can contain fillers and impurities that compromise the material, potentially making it porous and less safe. The word "silicone" on a box is not a guarantee of safety; it describes a category that includes both premium and poor-quality options. To trick customers, some manufacturers of knock-off toys will deliberately mislabel a cheaper TPE toy and sell it as 100% silicone. This is another major reason to be careful and only buy from reputable brands and stores.

How to Spot a Fake: You can become your own quality control expert with two simple tests.

• The Pinch Test: Take a part of the toy and firmly pinch and stretch it. Pure, high-quality silicone will retain its original color. If the stretched area turns white, it indicates the presence of cheap fillers, and the toy is not 100% silicone.
• The Smell Test: Pure silicone is completely odorless. If you're hit with a strong chemical, plastic, or "pool cleaner" smell when you open the package, it is a major red flag that the material is not pure silicone and may be off-gassing harmful chemicals.

Stainless Steel: The Indestructible, Weighted Powerhouse

For those seeking durability and a different kind of sensation, stainless steel is an exceptional choice.

• Benefits: This material is completely non-porous, hypoallergenic, and virtually indestructible with normal use. It is incredibly easy to clean and can be fully sterilized, making it one of the most hygienic options available. A stainless steel sex toy is a true "buy it for life" investment.
  
• Weight: Steel sex toys have a satisfying heft and density. This weight can provide a feeling of fullness and allows for intense, pinpointed G-spot or prostate stimulation with very little physical effort from the user.
• Temperature Play: Because it is a stable, non-porous metal, stainless steel is an outstanding conductor of temperature. This property, which allows it to be safely sterilized with heat, also unlocks new avenues for pleasure. You can safely warm the toy in a bowl of hot water or cool it in the refrigerator for a thrilling exploration of temperature play. Just be sure to test the temperature on your wrist before intimate use.

Borosilicate Glass: The Pure and Elegant Conductor

Glass sex toys offer a unique combination of elegance, purity, and sensory feedback.

• Benefits: Like steel, glass is completely non-porous, hypoallergenic, and can be fully cleaned and sterilized. Its perfectly smooth, slick surface provides an incredible glide that many people love.
• The Key Term to Look For: When shopping for a glass toy, the most important word to find is "borosilicate". This is the same type of strong, thermal-shock-resistant glass used to make laboratory beakers and Pyrex cookware. This resistance means it can be safely boiled or run through a dishwasher cycle without the risk of cracking or shattering.
• The Warning: Be wary of cheaper glass toys that do not specify the type of glass. These are often made from "soda-lime" glass, the same kind used for drinking glasses. This type of glass is not resistant to rapid temperature changes and can easily crack or shatter if you try to sterilize it with boiling water, making it unsafe.
• Quality Matters: Reputable manufacturers of borosilicate glass toys use a process called "annealing," which involves slowly cooling the glass after it's shaped. This process removes internal stresses from the material, making it incredibly strong and durable. The material's inherent stability is what makes it both safe for sterilization and perfect for temperature play, creating a scenario where the safest choice also offers enhanced pleasure.

Two of our favorite glass sex toy brands are Icicles and Gläs.

ABS Plastic: The Rigid and Reliable Option

Another excellent non-porous material is ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic. It's a hard, rigid plastic that is a great body-safe choice, especially for vibrators.

• Benefits: ABS plastic is non-porous, durable, and easy to clean. It is chemically inert, meaning it won't react with lubricants or other chemicals, and it's often more affordable than silicone. When shopping, you should still look for toys explicitly labeled as "body-safe" and free of harmful chemicals like phthalates or BPA to ensure the highest quality.
• Key Considerations: The defining feature of ABS plastic is its firmness. It has no flexibility, which makes it perfect for those who desire strong, targeted stimulation. However, it is not ideal for users who prefer a softer, more pliable toy. While easy to clean with mild soap and warm water, ABS plastic cannot be boiled or put in a dishwasher, as high heat can damage or warp the material.

Decoding the "Maybe" Materials: TPE, TPR, and "Jelly"

This section tackles the most common and confusing materials on the market—the ones often found in budget-friendly toys. Understanding them is key to avoiding potential health risks.

Clearing the Confusion

TPE stands for Thermoplastic Elastomer, which is a very broad class of rubber-like plastics. TPR, or Thermoplastic Rubber, is a specific type of TPE. As a consumer, you can consider them to have the same fundamental safety concerns. These materials are also frequently sold under more descriptive names like "jelly," "soft rubber," or "Cyberskin".

The prevalence of these materials is driven by economics; they are much cheaper and easier for manufacturers to mold into complex shapes than high-quality silicone, which is why they dominate the lower end of the market. This cost-saving measure, however, comes at the direct expense of a critical safety feature: non-porosity.

The Core Problem: Porosity

Despite any marketing claims you might see, these materials are almost universally porous. As we've established, this means they contain microscopic holes that can trap bacteria, fungi, and mold deep within the material itself. This makes them impossible to really sanitize or sterilize.

"Body-Safe"

Let's clear up some confusion around the term "body-safe." When a sex toy is labeled "body-safe," it often just means it's free of certain chemicals like phthalates or BPA.

However, that doesn't automatically mean the material is non-porous.  A material can be chemically safe but still be porous.

Porous materials have tiny holes that can trap bacteria, making them difficult to fully clean. For true hygiene, you need a non-porous material.

So, the most important question isn't just "Is it body-safe?" Ask this instead: "Is it non-porous?"

The Unbreakable Rule

Given the risks, there is one clear, bold, and non-negotiable safety directive for these materials: For any toy made from TPE, TPR, Jelly, or any other porous material, you should always use a condom for internal use. The condom acts as a complete, non-porous barrier. It physically separates your body from the toy's surface, effectively mitigating the primary health risk of the material itself.

A Small Exception

It is worth noting that some newer TPR toys may come with a non-porous polyurethane (PU) coating. This coating seals the porous material underneath, making the surface safe. However, this relies on you trusting the manufacturer's claim and the durability of that coating over time. For maximum safety, adhering to the condom rule even with coated toys is the best approach.

Your Toy Care Playbook: Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Sterilizing

Proper hygiene is not just about keeping your toys looking nice; it's about protecting your body from infection. The terms "cleaning," "sanitizing," and "sterilizing" are often used interchangeably, but they represent three distinct levels of hygiene. The right method depends entirely on your toy's material and construction.

Understanding the Levels of Clean

• Cleaning: This is the essential first step that you must do after every single use. Cleaning means physically removing all visible residue—like lubricant and bodily fluids—from the toy's surface. The best way to do this is by washing the toy with warm water and a sex toy cleaner or a mild, unscented soap for at least 20 seconds. This physical scrubbing is the non-negotiable foundation of toy hygiene.
• Sanitizing (or Disinfecting): This is the next level of hygiene, performed after a toy has been cleaned. Sanitizing aims to kill or reduce the vast majority of invisible microorganisms (like bacteria and viruses) to a safe level. Methods include using a dedicated sex toy cleaner spray, running it through a dishwasher cycle (for appropriate materials), or using a diluted bleach solution.
• Sterilizing: This is the ultimate hygiene reset. Sterilization is a process that eliminates all microorganisms from an object, both harmful and harmless. While typically a medical procedure, it is achievable at home with certain toy materials. The primary method for home sterilization is boiling the toy in water for several minutes.

Using the wrong method can have serious consequences. For example, silicone lubricant will chemically react with and degrade silicone toys, turning them porous. Bleach can destroy jelly rubber, and boiling can crack non-borosilicate glass or destroy the motor in a vibrator. 

The Ultimate Toy Cleaning Guide

Because the rules depend so heavily on the material, this chart provides a simple, at-a-glance reference for how to care for your collection.

Material/Toy Type	Cleaning (Required After Every Use)	Sanitizing (Optional Deeper Clean)	Sterilizing (The Ultimate Reset)
100% Silicone (No Electronics)	Wash with warm water and mild, unscented soap.	Run through dishwasher (top rack, no detergent) OR soak in a 10% bleach solution for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.	Boil in water for 5-10 minutes.
Borosilicate Glass	Wash with warm water and mild, unscented soap.	Run through dishwasher (top rack, no detergent) OR soak in a 10% bleach solution for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.	Boil in water for 5-10 minutes.
Stainless Steel	Wash with warm water and mild, unscented soap.	Run through dishwasher (top rack, no detergent) OR soak in a 10% bleach solution for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.	Boil in water for 5-10 minutes.
ABS Plastic	Wash with warm water and mild, unscented soap or a toy cleaner spray.	Use a sex toy cleaner spray. Follow the directions on the label.	NOT POSSIBLE. High heat can damage or warp the material.
Toys with Electronics (charging port, batteries, motor, etc) - Any Material	Carefully wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap or a toy cleaner spray. DO NOT SUBMERGE unless explicitly rated as waterproof.	Use a sex toy cleaner spray. Follow the directions on the label.	NOT POSSIBLE. Heat will destroy the motor and electronics
Porous Toys (TPE, TPR, Jelly, etc.)	Gently wash with warm water and mild, unscented soap.	NOT POSSIBLE. The porous structure cannot be fully sanitized.	NOT POSSIBLE. Heat can melt or damage the material.

*Data for this table was compiled from multiple health and cleaning guides.

After any cleaning, always allow your toys to air dry completely on a clean surface or pat them dry with a lint-free cloth before storing them. Many toys come with a fabric bag, which is ideal for keeping them dust-free and preventing them from touching other toys.

The Finishing Touches: Lube and Condoms

Choosing the right material and cleaning it properly are the biggest steps, but your safety system isn't complete without considering your accessories. A mistake with lubricant can ruin an expensive toy, while forgoing a condom in certain situations can compromise your health. Toy safety is an integrated system; a failure in one area can undermine the whole practice.

The Laws of Lubricant

• The Universal Rule: Water-based lubricant is the only type that is guaranteed to be safe for all sex toy materials and all condoms (latex and non-latex). When you are ever in doubt, choose a water-based lube. It is your universal best friend.
• The Silicone-on-Silicone Prohibition: This is the most important rule of lubricant compatibility. Never use silicone-based lubricant on a silicone sex toy. The reason is simple chemistry. The liquid silicone in the lube acts as a solvent on the solid silicone of the toy. This interaction breaks down the toy's surface, causing it to become sticky, gummy, or develop microscopic tears and pits. This process permanently damages your toy, turning its perfectly non-porous surface into a porous, unhygienic one that will trap bacteria. While some sources suggest that immediate and extremely thorough cleaning can prevent this damage, the risk of permanently ruining an expensive toy is high. For simplicity and maximum safety, it is best to treat this as an absolute rule.
• Oil-Based Lubes: Be cautious with oil-based lubricants like coconut oil, massage oil, or petroleum jelly. They are known to degrade latex, which can cause condoms to break. They can also damage certain toy materials and are generally not recommended for internal use with either toys or condoms.

Using Condoms with Sex Toys

A condom is a simple, inexpensive, and incredibly powerful safety tool. Here are the three key situations where using one with your sex toys is a great idea:

• To Make Porous Toys Safe. This is a condom's most vital role in the world of sex toys. As explained, materials like TPE, TPR, and jelly are porous and cannot be fully cleaned. A condom provides a fresh, non-porous surface (latex or polyurethane), acting as an impermeable barrier between your body and the potentially germ-filled toy. This simple act transforms the toy's surface from high-risk to low-risk.
• To Allow for Safe Sharing. If you are sharing any sex toy with a partner, using a condom is a critical measure to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You must use a fresh condom for each person who uses the toy.
• For Hygiene and Convenience. Condoms can make cleanup significantly quicker and easier, which is especially helpful after anal play. They can also prevent cross-contamination. Bacteria from the anus can cause vaginal infections, so you must always remove the used condom and put on a fresh one before moving a toy from the anus to the vagina or mouth.

Play with Confidence

Navigating the world of sex toys doesn't have to be a gamble with your health. By understanding the fundamental principles of material safety and hygiene, you can take full control of your experience. 

The Golden Rules Recap

If you remember nothing else from this guide, commit these four rules to memory:

• Choose Non-Porous First: Whenever possible, choose toys made from 100% Silicone, Borosilicate Glass, Stainless Steel, or ABS Plastic. These are the safest, most hygienic, and most durable materials.
• If it's Porous, Protect Yourself: For any toy made from TPE, TPR, "Jelly," or any other soft, rubbery material, you must use a condom for internal use. No exceptions. 
• Clean After Every Use: The foundation of toy safety is washing your toys with mild soap and warm water immediately after every session.
• Water-Based Lube is Your Best Friend: It is the only lubricant that is universally safe for all toys and all condoms.

Now you have the knowledge to shop with confidence. To keep things simple and hygienic, we always recommend toys made from non-porous materials like 100% silicone, stainless steel, borosilicate glass, and ABS plastic.

If you have an insertable toy made from a porous material, just be sure to use a condom with it. 

At Adult Toy Box, we only stock products from trusted brands, so you can worry less and explore more. Now you have the knowledge to protect your health, make informed choices, and focus on what truly matters—your pleasure.