Body-safe materials, and how to clean them

"Body-safe" sounds like a marketing phrase, and plenty of companies use it as one. But behind it is a useful distinction. Once you know it, you'll never again have to guess about a toy on a shop page.

The short version: a body-safe toy is made from a material that doesn't absorb anything, so it can be cleaned completely, and it doesn't contain chemicals you'd rather keep away from sensitive skin. Everything else in this guide is detail on that one idea.

Porous and non-porous

The key word is porosity. A porous material has tiny gaps in its surface. Fluids and bacteria work their way into those gaps, and no amount of soap gets them all back out. A non-porous material has a closed surface. Wash it and it's clean.

That's why porous toys can't be sanitized and tend to hold onto odors and stains. They also wear out sooner. And it's why sharing a porous toy between partners carries more risk than sharing a non-porous one.

The materials worth trusting

Silicone

The default for good reason. High-quality, 100% silicone is non-porous and very durable. It can be made soft or firm, and it warms quickly to the touch. Most toys from reputable brands are silicone. When in doubt, choose silicone from a maker you've heard of, since cheaper "silicone" sometimes turns out to be a blend with fillers.

Stainless steel

The most forgiving material there is. Steel has nothing to degrade and no coating to wear off, so it cleans up completely. It's heavy, which some people love, and it takes to temperature play: run it under warm or cool water for a minute and test it on your wrist before use. See the stainless steel care page.

Borosilicate glass

The same heat-resistant glass used in good kitchenware. It's non-porous and glides beautifully with lube. Look for borosilicate specifically, and check it for chips or cracks before every use. A chipped glass toy goes in the trash. More on the glass care page.

ABS plastic

Hard plastic, used for the casings of many vibrators and for some firm toys. It's non-porous and safe, but it doesn't handle heat, so it can't be boiled. The ABS care page has the details.

The materials to be careful with

Jelly and PVC

These are the squishy, often translucent toys found in bargain bins. They're porous and often have a strong chemical smell. Some soft PVC is made flexible with phthalates, a family of plasticizers many people prefer to avoid. These toys also break down over time, getting sticky or cloudy. We don't recommend them.

TPE and TPR

TPE and TPR feel softer and more lifelike than silicone, and they cost less. Quality varies a lot. If you're weighing a companion doll, choosing a premium companion doll compares silicone and TPE in detail. Good TPE from a known maker is a reasonable choice for some uses, but it's still porous, so it needs more careful cleaning and can't be fully sanitized. It also shouldn't be shared without a fresh condom over it. Our TPE and TPR care page walks through it.

Unknown materials

If the packaging and the maker's site don't say what something is made of, treat it as porous. Reputable brands are proud of their materials and say so clearly. A strong smell straight out of the box is another warning sign.

How to clean each material

The rule of thumb is to clean before and after every use. Then follow the material and the motor.

Non-motorized silicone, plus steel and glass. Wash with mild, unscented soap and warm water. Most of these can also be boiled for a few minutes or run through the top rack of the dishwasher without detergent, which sanitizes them fully. Check the maker's guidance first, since a few have parts that can't take it.

Anything with a motor or battery. Never boil it or put it in the dishwasher. If it's rated waterproof, you can wash it under the tap with soap and water. If it's only splash-resistant, wipe it with a damp, soapy cloth and keep water away from the charging port and seams. See rechargeable devices.

ABS. Soap and warm water, no boiling.

TPE and TPR. Mild soap and lukewarm water, never hot, then dry thoroughly. Companion dolls in TPE need a fuller routine, set out in caring for a companion doll.

Toy cleaners. A dedicated toy cleaner is convenient, especially for wiping down a toy that can't go under the tap. Keep alcohol and bleach away from silicone and soft materials, along with harsh household cleaners. They damage the surface and can irritate skin.

After washing, let everything air-dry completely before storing it. Pat it with a clean, lint-free towel if you're in a hurry.

Sharing toys safely

With a partner, a few habits keep things clean:

• Wash toys between partners, or use a fresh condom over the toy for each person.
• Always use a condom on porous toys you share, and change it between partners.
• Don't move a toy between anal and vaginal use without washing it first, or changing its condom. Bacteria from the anus can cause vaginal and urinary infections.

If either of you has an infection, or you're not sure, keep toys separate and talk to a clinician about what's safe. Body-safe materials lower risk, but they don't replace normal sexual health care.

Lube and materials

Lube choice counts too. Water-based lube is safe with every material. Silicone lube is fine on hard materials like steel and glass, but it can damage the surface of silicone toys over time, so most makers advise against pairing them. Keep silicone lube for skin and for steel or glass toys.

Our guide to choosing and using lubricant explains the types, and the lube and material compatibility checker gives a quick answer for any pairing.

Storage

Store each toy in its own breathable pouch, somewhere cool and dry and out of direct sun. Keep porous toys away from silicone ones, since materials pressed together for weeks can react or transfer dye. Don't store anything damp. The bathroom is the most tempting spot and the worst one, because of the humidity.

When to replace a toy

Let a toy go if it's:

• Sticky, tacky, or cloudy when it used to be smooth.
• Cracked, chipped, or torn, including tiny splits near seams.
• Holding an odor or stain that washing doesn't remove.

Porous toys reach that point much sooner than non-porous ones. Swapping a jelly toy for a silicone or steel one usually means you won't need to replace it again for years.

A quick buying checklist

• Does the listing name the material? "Silicone" is good. "Silicone blend" is not the same thing.
• Is it a brand with a track record, and do they state that it's phthalate-free?
• Does it have a smell out of the box? Body-safe silicone shouldn't.
• Can you clean it the way you'll want to? Waterproof matters more than you'd think.

Every product we recommend in The Edit lists its material, and the glossary entry on body-safe is a handy reference if you're comparing labels.