The material a toy is made of matters more than almost anything else about it — more than the colour, the brand, or the number of settings. Here’s the plain-English version so you can shop with confidence. We list the material on every product for exactly this reason.
The gold standard: non-porous
Non-porous materials don’t have microscopic holes, so they don’t harbour bacteria and clean up completely. These are the ones to look for:
- Body-safe silicone — soft, warm, versatile. The workhorse of good toys. (Use water-based lube with it.)
- Glass — firm, beautiful, great for temperature play, works with any lube.
- Metal (stainless steel) — weighty, firm, endlessly cleanable.
- ABS plastic — the hard, smooth plastic on many bullets and vibrators. Non-porous and hygienic.
The ones that need care: porous
Some cheaper materials — jelly, TPR/TPE, PVC and “realistic” skin-like blends — are porous. They can’t be fully sterilised, may carry a chemical smell, and shouldn’t be shared. They’re not automatically “bad”, but treat them with respect: use a condom over them, keep them personal, and replace them more often.
How to tell, and how to clean
- Smell and feel. A strong chemical smell or a tacky surface usually means porous. Quality silicone is largely odourless.
- Clean by material. Non-porous toys wash with warm water and toy cleaner; porous ones need extra care and a condom is your friend.
- When in doubt, condom it. A cheap, foolproof way to make any toy safer and easier to clean.
Common questions
✦ What sex toy materials are body-safe?
Non-porous materials: body-safe silicone, glass, stainless steel and ABS plastic. They clean completely and don’t harbour bacteria.
✦ Are jelly and PVC toys safe?
They’re porous, so they can’t be fully cleaned and shouldn’t be shared. They’re fine with care — use a condom over them, keep them personal, and replace them more often.
✦ How can I tell if a toy is body-safe?
A strong chemical smell or tacky surface suggests a porous material; quality silicone is smooth and largely odourless. We list the material on every product so you can check. How we choose.