Fun Factory Baby Bug Silicone Vibrator
There are many materials that go into adult sex toys, but there are just a few categories that they fall into:
- Rubber or Latex
- Silicone
- Blends
- Hard Materials
We’re going to give you an overview of the sex toy materials, but the most important thing we want you to understand is the difference between porous and non-porous.
Porous toys have pores in them. It’s similar to the pores on our skin. When the porous toys get wet or when they are used, viruses, bacteria or anything that is on the surface or the toy goes into those pores. The next time that toy gets wet, the virus, bacteria, etc. comes back out again. The reason we recommend toy cleaners for sex toys, particularly porous toys, is because the toy cleaners will remove the bacteria, yeast, and viruses and prevent them from getting into your toy. When you use the toy cleaner, it rinses completely from the toy. An added benefit for the ladies is the toy cleaner helps maintain a pH balance in the vaginal area. When the pH gets out of balance in the vaginal area, women can get an infection or irritation.
Let’s examine the different types of adult sex toy materials:
Rubber Slim Butt Plug
- Rubber – Rubber is a porous material and it doesn’t contain phthalates. Rubber is generally firm and flexible and it is often heavy. Rubber dildos are porous and they need more care because they are porous. That means they are a little harder to clean and maintain. Most rubber is produced using petroleum. However, some (estimated around 25%-33%) are made from Latex, which is extracted from trees, or a latex-like product. Each of the two sources produces a different type of rubber with different properties. Polymers, which are large molecules made from petroleum, make up synthetic rubbers. Natural rubbers are made from elastic latex. During WWII, the U.S.’ natural rubber supplies were largely cut-off. So there was a need for a commodity to change and it encouraged serious experimentation to produce synthetic rubbers. While synthetics still predominate, natural rubber is very desirable for many applications because it has a greater resilience.When using a rubber or latex adult toy, we recommend only using a water-based lubricant. This is because any oil or petroleum-based substances are going to break down the rubber or latex. That means all oil-based lubricants – including massage oils, butter, olive oil, Vaseline – anything containing oil. Silicone lubricants are okay to use as long as you’re certain that the toy doesn’t contain any silicone. To be on the safe side, we recommend only using water-based lubes with rubber or latex toys.To clean your rubber or latex toys, wash before and after use with an adult sex toy cleaner, rinse with warm water and air or pat dry. Using a condom on the toy allows for easier clean up. It puts a barrier between you and the toy and prevents the toy from picking up anything from you or the environment. You can take the condom off and clean the toy much easier. If the toy is battery operated, do not submerge the toy unless it is waterproof. If the toy is not waterproof, make sure not to get water in the battery compartment. Use the spritz and rinse method – spritz the cleaner on the part of the toy that you want to clean and rinse it off. Use a damp cloth to clean the outside of the battery compartment.
Sugar Sak Sex Toy Storage Bag
To store your toys after they are dry, put the toys in individual sex toy storage bags for the best results and to prevent them from melting together. Also, remember to remove the batteries before storage.
Latex is very porous, and does not contain phthalates, but a lot of people are sensitive to latex and many people are allergic to it. So it’s important to know which materials could contain latex.
If you share toys with a partner, make sure you use a condom on the toy and change the condom before allowing your partner to use the toy.
- Silicone – Silicone is non-porous (make sure it is 100% pure medical grade silicone). It warms up very quickly and retains body heat. It minimizes infection potential because it is non-porous. Medical grade silicone is firm to the touch and it is considered to be hypoallergenic. Silicone doesn’t have a taste or a smell. Appealing, brightly colored toys can be created with silicone. Silicone is phthalate-free. Phthalates are chemicals used to soften plastic or vinyl to make it more flexible. They are used in many everyday applications from sex toys to fingernail polish to foods, perfumes and medical instruments. Phthalates raise some concern on safety so some people try to avoid toys that contain phthalates.Vibration transfers very well through silicone and silicone-blends. This is another reason why it is an excellent choice for a sex toy. Silicone falls into the ‘better materials’ category which generally means that it is going to cost you more to purchase toys that are made of silicone. Many people find the higher price worthwhile because silicone has a longer lifespan, it is more comfortable to use, and pure silicone is much easier to clean.Only water-based lubricants are recommended for use with silicone sex toys. Using a silicone lubricant on a silicone or silicone-blend toy can ruin the surface of the toy and cause it to become tacky/sticky feeling.To clean your silicone toy, make sure you clean it before and after use with a toy cleaner to prevent contamination and maintain pH balance. Rinse with warm water and air or pat dry. Another option for 100% pure silicone or medical-grade silicone toys is to run them through the dishwasher. Silicone can tolerate high temperatures so you can also boil it on the stove for 3-5 minutes. If your toy vibrates, remove the vibrating parts before boiling or putting in the dishwasher. If those parts cannot be removed, it is not recommended to clean them that way – use a toy cleaner instead. If you clean the toy by immersing it in the boiling water, make sure you allow the battery compartment cavity to dry out before storing. Once it is dry, store it in an individual sex toy storage bag or plastic bag for best results. Remove the batteries and store them in a separate plastic bag.
- Blended Materials – Silicone blends are probably the most popular right now. They are porous, but it depends on what is it blended with as to how porous it is. They can contain phthalates. They vary in density – some are very soft, while other blends are much more ridged. They are generally very pliable, but, again, it depends on the percentage of other material that is added to the silicone as to how pliable it is. The advantage of having a blended material is that the material will most likely last longer and less likely to tear or break down. A condom can be used for safety and easy clean-up. Just toss the condom after use. Make sure not to use a silicone lubricant with a blended toy because it will melt the toy. If you want to use a silicone lube, you can put a condom over your toy first. To clean a blended material toy, stick with the warm water and toy cleaner method. Clean before and after use to prevent contamination and maintain pH balance. Rinse with warm water and pat or air dry. When dry, store in an individual sex toy bag or plastic bag and remove the batteries.
In a future blog post, we’ll explore the other materials and share some special tips.
