Sex toy materials are one of the most important - and most overlooked - factors when buying adult products. The material determines how the toy feels, how easy it is to clean, how long it lasts, and whether it's actually safe to use internally. This guide covers every common sex toy material, what each one offers, and what to avoid.
Body-Safe vs Non-Body-Safe Materials
The most important distinction to understand is between non-porous and porous materials.
Non-porous materials (100 percent silicone, stainless steel, glass, ABS plastic) have no microscopic holes. Bacteria and fluids can't penetrate the surface, which means they can be cleaned thoroughly. Solid, non-motorised versions of these materials can also be sterilised by boiling. These are the gold standard for internal toys.
Porous materials (jelly rubber, PVC, TPE, TPR, rubber, "cyberskin") have microscopic surface holes that trap bacteria, fluids, and odours even after washing. They can never be fully sterilised. Use them externally, or with a condom over them, and never internally without barrier protection. Do not share a porous toy with a partner, even with a condom, and replace porous toys every 6 to 12 months.
Silicone
Silicone is the most popular material for quality sex toys and the best all-round choice for most buyers.
Properties: Soft, flexible, body-safe, non-porous, hypoallergenic, odourless. Available in firm, medium, and very soft varieties depending on the toy design.
Not all "silicone" is equal: only 100 percent silicone, ideally platinum-cure, is genuinely non-porous. Many cheap toys sold as "silicone" are actually silicone-TPE blends, and those blends are porous. Treat a blend the same way you would treat TPE: barrier protection, no sharing, and replacement every 6 to 12 months.
Safety and cleaning: Boiling for 3 to 5 minutes, running through a dishwasher (top rack, no detergent), and cleaning with a 10% bleach solution apply only to non-motorised toys made from 100 percent silicone, and to nothing else; any toy with a motor, battery, or charging port must never be boiled, dishwashed, or bleached, must be washed with warm water and mild soap only, and must never be submerged unless it is rated fully waterproof. Solid, non-motorised silicone is suitable for internal use without any barrier.
Important: Don't use silicone-based lubricant with silicone toys - it can degrade the surface over time. Use water-based lube instead.
Best for: Vibrators, dildos, butt plugs, prostate massagers, cock rings, any internal toy. Remember that vibrators and other motorised toys get the warm water and mild soap treatment above, not the boiling, dishwasher, or bleach methods.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is the premium choice for firm toys. It's non-porous, exceptionally durable, and one of the best materials for temperature play.
Properties: Heavy, firm (no flex), smooth surface, non-porous, non-reactive. The weight of steel toys is something many buyers find they prefer for internal use - it creates a sense of fullness and stays in position without effort.
Safety and cleaning: Solid, non-motorised steel toys are fully sterilisable by boiling for 3 to 5 minutes or in a dishwasher. Compatible with all lubricants including silicone-based. A steel toy with a motor or battery inside is washed with warm water and mild soap only.
Temperature play: Steel conducts temperature very efficiently. Warm a steel toy in hot water for heat play, or cool in the fridge (not freezer) for cold sensation. Temperature stays consistent longer than glass.
Best for: Butt plugs, dildos, prostate massagers, urethral toys, temperature play.
Borosilicate Glass
Borosilicate (pyrex-style) glass is non-porous, smooth, and excellent for temperature play. The key word is borosilicate - this is shatter-resistant glass designed to handle thermal stress. Regular glass is not suitable for sex toys.
Properties: Firm, very smooth, non-porous, hypoallergenic. The smoothness makes glass toys particularly easy to insert - the low friction is noticeable compared to silicone.
Safety and cleaning: Solid glass toys can be boiled for 3 to 5 minutes or washed in a dishwasher. Compatible with all lubricants. Inspect for chips or cracks before each use - a chipped glass toy should be discarded.
Temperature play: Glass responds to temperature quickly but doesn't retain it as long as steel. Submerge in warm or cool water for a few minutes before use.
Best for: Dildos, anal plugs, G-spot toys, temperature play.
For shape-by-shape picks and how glass compares with silicone in practice, the glass sex toys guide goes deeper on this one material.
ABS Hard Plastic
ABS is a hard, rigid plastic used in the body of most battery-operated vibrators and the external housing of rechargeable toys.
Properties: Non-porous, firm, lightweight, available in many shapes. Typically not used for insertable toys on its own - more often the housing for electronic components, with silicone covering the insertable parts.
Safety and cleaning: Wipe clean or wash with mild soap and warm water. Never boil, dishwash, or bleach an ABS toy, and don't submerge it unless it is rated fully waterproof, because there are electronics inside. The non-porous surface is easy to clean.
TPE and TPR
Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and thermoplastic rubber (TPR) are soft, flexible materials used in many masturbators and stroker sleeves. They feel realistic and are less expensive than silicone.
Properties: Soft, flexible, realistic texture, porous. Can feel very lifelike.
Limitation: Porous - cannot be fully sterilised. Clean thoroughly after every use with toy cleaner or mild soap and warm water. Cover with a condom, do not share the toy even with a condom on it, and replace it every 6 to 12 months.
Best for: Masturbator sleeves, strokers, male toys where the tactile feel is the priority and thorough cleaning is maintained.
Jelly Rubber and PVC
Jelly rubber and soft PVC are older materials that are increasingly being phased out by quality manufacturers. They're soft and inexpensive but porous and in some cases may contain phthalates - chemical plasticisers that are not safe for internal use.
Recommendation: If you're buying a toy made from jelly rubber or soft PVC, use a condom on it, don't share it even with a condom on it, and replace it every 6 to 12 months. Where you have the choice, 100 percent silicone, stainless steel, or borosilicate glass is the safer buy.
Lubricant Compatibility Summary
- Silicone toys - water-based lube only
- Steel and glass toys - water-based, silicone-based, or oil-based (not with condoms)
- TPE/TPR sleeves - water-based lube only
- ABS plastic - water-based or silicone-based
- Latex condoms - oil-based lubricant degrades latex condoms and can cause them to break, so use water-based lube with any latex barrier
Shop Body-Safe Sex Toys at Pleasing Strings
We stock silicone, stainless steel, and glass toys. If you have a question about a specific product's materials, contact us before buying.
