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Non-porous Materials
- Glass should be washed with soap and water. Do not expose glass to extreme temperatures.
- Pyrex, a heat-resistant glass, can be boiled, put in a dishwasher, or washed with soapy water.
- Silicone is our material of choice because it will clean easily and thoroughly. To clean, wash the toy with soap and water or place it in the top rack of your dishwasher. Immersing silicone in boiling water for 10 minutes will disinfect it. Silicone may be shared safely after disinfection. Never use silicone lube with silicone toys; this will break down the surface of your toys.
- Stainless steel can be boiled, soaked in a bleach and water solution, or run through your dishwasher.
- Acrylic toys should be cleaned with soap and warm water.
- Cyberskin (also known as Ultraskin and Softskin) is a delicate material; wash it gently with soap and warm water. Air-dry, then powder lightly with cornstarch (do not use talcum powder; it has been linked to cancer). Store the toys in a plastic bag containing a small amount of cornstarch to keep them from getting sticky. Cyberskin may contain some of the same chemicals found in jelly-rubber. We recommend using a condom on Cyberskin toys.
- Elastomer is a soft, phthalate-free plastic. People who wish to avoid contact with rubber softeners can choose Elastomer toys as a hypoallergenic, durable alternative. To clean, wash with soap and water. We recommend using condoms if sharing the toy and for easier clean-up.
- Hard plastic toys should be wiped down with a soapy cloth and warm water.
- Jelly rubber is a soft rubber that cannot be completely disinfected. To clean, wipe the toy with a soapy cloth and warm water. Store it in a cool, dry place away from other objects. Jelly-rubber contains latex and phthalates (pronounced “thall-eights”). Phthalates are chemicals used as softeners or solvents. We do not have conclusive information on the health effects they may have. Because of their porous nature and chemical components, we believe the only way to safely use jelly rubber toys is with a condom, every time.
- Leather will wipe clean with a damp, soapy cloth or with leather cleaner. Do not soak leather. Wiping with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution (rubbing alcohol) will disinfect leather toys. After cleaning, you may recondition your toy by using a leather conditioner. Protect metal parts from tarnish by applying a coat of clear nail polish. Always let leather air dry and store in a cool, dry place.
- Neoprene is a synthetic, rubber-based polychloroprene. Wash it with warm water and mild soap, then air-dry.
- Nylon can be hand or machine washed.
- Soft vinyl toys have a smooth, flexible surface that is easy to clean with soap and water. These toys typically contain much lower levels of chemicals than those made of jelly-rubber.
- Vinyl will wipe clean with a damp, soapy cloth or rubbing alcohol.
- Nitrile safe sex supplies are compatible with oil-, water-, and silicone-based lubricants. They protect against STDs and pregnancy. Masturbating with gloves, condoms, or dams can be a great way to further eroticize them. Buy differently-sized gloves in different colors to make it clear in the heat of the moment which are medium and which are large. To avoid cross-contaminating, use different color gloves for the butt and the vagina or use a marker to put an “X” on the gloved hand you will be using for the butt. Use dental dams or non-microwavable plastic wrap for cunnilingus and analingus. Put an “X” on the outside so when things get good and slippery you can tell the sides apart.
General Tips for Longer Toy Life
We strongly recommend using a condom with toys that are made of porous material. This will help prevent transference of body fluids that can carry bacterial and/or viral infections.
- Remove batteries when storing vibrators.
- Never submerge electrical components in water. Use a damp, soapy cloth to clean electric toys.
- Protect your water-resistant and waterproof vibes by making sure the rubber O-ring stays tight around the battery compartment. If the O-ring is missing or broken, the vibe is no longer safe to use in water.
- For vibrators with cords, wrap a small piece of electrical tape around the vibrator/wire and wire/ plug connection points to strengthen them.
- Rough edges on hard plastic toys can be filed down with a nail file.
- If you are using a bullet vibe internally, put it in a condom and use the condom, not the power cord, to pull it out.
