What sex toys are safe to use?

Sex toys is a term given to a range of objects used for sexual pleasure. You may have heard of some common types of sex toys, such as dildos and vibrators, but there are many other different types and styles of sex toys. Sex toys can be used alone for masturbation, or they can be used with other people as part of sex. Sex toys can be bought online and in shops, across a range of prices, but legally you must be over the age of 18 to buy a sex toy.

The sex toy industry is not regulated, this means there is no standard of safety a toy has to meet before it can be sold. When buying a sex toy it is important to keep this in mind and to research the product to make sure it will be safe and enjoyable for you to use. 

What sex toys are safe to use?

The production of sex toys is not regulated, and some sex toys can often be made from products that contain harmful chemicals or to a lower standard. If sex toys are made poorly, parts of them can break off or not function properly. Researching your sex toys before you buy them is the best way to make sure you get one that is safe to use.  

Phthalates are an example of a harsh chemical that can be used in some sex toys. Phthalates are used to make plastic softer and can give sex toys a jelly-like, more natural feel. The process of making the plastic softer can leave it in a less stable form, and phthalates and other chemicals can seep out of these softer plastics. Phthalates are banned from use in children’s toys but are unregulated in products for adults. If a sex toy has a harsh chemical smell it is not safe to use and it is best to bin it. 

What are body-safe sex toys?

If a sex toy is “body-safe,” it means that it is safe for you to put the toy inside you. However, as there are no regulations on sex toys, any sex toy maker can use this label if they want to. Some materials are safer to use in sex toys than others, so checking what the toy is made from is a way to see if it is body-safe. 

Examples of body-safe materials include:

• Silicone
• Hard plastic
• Tempered glass
• Ceramic
• Surgical steel
• Wood (treated with polyurethane)

Are homemade sex toys safe to use?

It’s always best to use objects for pleasure that are specifically made to be sex toys, especially if you’re putting them inside your body. ‘Homemade’ sex toys or using objects not designed to be sex toys is not safe because they can break, have rough, sharp, or loose parts, or are made of materials that are unsanitary or can cause a reaction.

You should only ever use sex toys in the anus (butt) that you are sure you will be able to safely remove again, such as ones with a flared base. Having a flared base means that the toy is wider at the bottom and that it will not go all the way inside you. Having a flared base is important because if a toy went inside your anus it could get stuck, and would have to be removed by a medical professional. Because of this, it is important never to use homemade anal sex toys. 

How to clean your sex toys 

It is important to always clean your sex toys properly after using them to help remove any bacteria, viruses or semen that may be on them and to help keep you and those you use them with safe. Some sex toys will come with instructions on how to clean them. If you use soap to wash your toys it is important to make sure all the soap is washed from the toy before using them again, as soap can irritate the genitals. Before washing anything with a battery inside it, take the batteries out to make sure that the electrical part of a toy does not come into contact with water. It is best to use a damp, soapy cloth to clean your electric toys and anti-bacterial soap. 

There are different ways of cleaning your sex toys depending on what type of material they are made from: 

Glass sex toys: Wash glass toys with soap and water. Pyrex toys are dishwasher safe. Be aware that glass can shatter if it comes into contact with high temperatures

Stainless Steel sex toys: If your stainless steel toy is attached to an electrical device it is important to not allow the electrical part to come into contact with water. Use a cloth to carefully wash it with warm soapy water. If there are no electrical parts to the toy you can boil or soak in a 10% bleach-water solution for 10 minutes, or place it in the dishwasher.

Hard Plastic sex toys: Clean with anti-bacterial soap and water. Do not boil.

Silicone sex toys: To clean silicone sex toys you can either boil them for five to ten minutes, put them in your dishwasher (on top rack), or wash with antibacterial soap and warm water. Do not boil silicone vibrators as it will break the vibrator mechanism.

Rubber material sex toys: Rubber materials are porous, meaning that liquid and air can get into them, and this can make them difficult to clean. Rubber materials are often not safe to use and it is best to avoid sex toys made from rubber or jelly-like material. If there is a chemical smell from a sex toy that you have it is a sign that it is not safe to use. 

Nylon sex toys: Nylon harnesses and toys can be machine or hand washed with a mild anti-bacterial soap.

Leather sex toys: Wipe leather products with a damp, soapy cloth or with leather cleaner. Do not soak the leather. After cleaning, you can recondition your toy using a leather conditioner. You can also protect the metal parts of the toy from tarnishing by applying a coating of clear nail polish to it. 

Wooden sex toys: (treated with polyurethane) Use a damp cloth with warm, soapy water to wash.

9 safety tips when using sex toys 

If you are going to use sex toys it’s important to make the experience as enjoyable and safe for yourself as possible. Here are some useful tips:

1. Always wash your sex toys after using them 
2. Sex toys can pass on STIs and HIV if they are not cleaned properly when using them with others. It is important to wash them thoroughly to help keep you and those you have sex with safe
3. Use a lubricant that is compatible with your sex toy. For example, silicone lubricants can sadly damage silicone toys. When it doubt use water-based lubricant which is compatible with all condoms and sex toys
4. Use a condom or dental dam with your sex toy when sharing toys with others. This will help to keep them clean and reduce the risk of transmitting STIs and HIV
5. Always make sure to use a sex toy with a flared base for anal use 
6. Avoid using homemade sex toys. It’s always best to use sex toys that are specifically made to be sex toys, especially if you’re putting them inside your body. DIY sex toys might not be safe, especially if they can break, have rough, sharp, or loose parts, or are made of materials that are unsanitary or can cause a reaction
7. The production of sex toys is not regulated, and some sex toys can often be made from products that contain harmful chemicals or to a lower standard. If sex toys are made poorly, parts of them can break off or not function properly. Avoid buying sex toys from sites like Amazon or Ali Express
8. Researching your sex toys before you buy them is the best way to make sure you get one that is safe to use
9. If a toy has a particularly strong or chemical odour, this might be a sign it was poorly made and is unsafe to use

Using sex toys should not cause you pain or discomfort. Some sex toys may cause small cuts to the genitals, which is why using a water-based lubricant and stopping use if there is any pain is important. If you have any medical concerns about your sex toy use, speaking to GP or a sexual health professional can be a great way to make sure what you are using is safe.