Walking into a sex shop or perusing for sex toys online can be somewhat overwhelming in today’s thriving market. Toys come in all shapes, sizes and materials, and you will need to do a little research in order to find the right product for you.
Which material you choose will be personal to you, and everybody likes different feels and benefits. So to make your life easier, and so you really know what you are putting in your body LoveWoo divulge what sex toy materials are the best and why:
Silicone
The soft, silky and often bendy material that is silicone is often praised as the best material for sex toys. We have to agree, as it really does have it all and is one of the safest materials to use in/on your nether regions.
The flexible material rapidly warms up and holds your body temperature well, which makes it comfortable to use and its flexible feel makes it easy to insert.
Silicone transfers vibrations without being too loud, which is an attractive proposition for people who want to keep their solo play solo!
Silicone toys can be soft or firm but they are always flexible, and you will often find dildos, anal beads, vibrators and male sex toys made from it, often with a not so cheap price tag.
Cleaning: Silicone is non-porous, making it easy to clean. Any cleaning method is acceptable, from soap and water to boiling, or even popping them in the dishwasher.
Lubrication: Silicone based lubricants can create a negative reaction, create a sticky texture, or cause damage to your toy, so it is best to stick to water based lube.
Storage: They should be stored in a bag after cleaning. It can attract dust and lint, so a fresh, plastic bag is a good idea.
Glass
Glass toys (usually dildo’s) are often beautiful and classy looking, so they are popular due to being durable and visually appealing. Glass is often a top choice for its beautiful appearance but there are other benefits to using this material.
It is strong and can be subjected to extreme temperatures without shattering – which makes it ideal for temperature play. Simply soak in warm or cold water for 20 minutes.
You also needn’t worry that the toy will break inside of you, as the glass sex toys are designed to withstand massive amounts of pressure and are resistant to thermal stress, so it won’t smash into tiny pieces on the floor either.
Cleaning: Basic cleaning methods are acceptable because it is non-porous, so simply use soap and water or toy cleaner.
Borosciliate glass can be boiled, put in the dishwasher and cleaned with a bleach solution. You will find that most glass sex toys are made from this kind of glass.
If your toy is made from soda lime, it is less heat resistant and has a higher risk of chipping, so no boiling or dishwasher allowed.
Lubrication: You will not need much lube due to its extremely smooth surface, and this toy can be used with water/oil/silicone based lubes.
Storage: Keep your toys safe by storing them in cases where they will not risk being knocked around.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is hard, smooth, tend to have a nice heavy weight to them, and a classic finished look. The great thing about this metal is that it doesn’t rust, and with good care it can last indefinitely.
From anal beads, butt plugs, dildo’s and chastity devices, stainless steel is becoming quite popular as a sex toy material. Due to their slightly heavier weight, these toys are recommended to more experienced users.
Cleaning: Similarly to glass, you can wash stainless steel toys in a dishwasher, boil them, or use anti-bacterial cleaner.
Lubrication: Any lubrication can be used on stainless steel, as long as it is cleaned off properly to avoid ruining the finish.
Storage: Where possible, try and store it in its original packaging.
Aluminium
Aluminium metal is lighter than steel, making it an ideal toy for sex toy beginners and experienced users alike. Its lightweight nature is the reason it is becoming more and more popular as a sex toy material.
If you use these toys for temperature play, you can allow for some interesting sensations as you warm them up and cool them down.
Note: If you’re looking for metal toys, you can also get silver and gold sex toys, they are just not as commonplace.
Cleaning: Clean with soap and water, or they can be boiled, put in the dishwasher and cleaned with a bleach solution.
Lubrication: Any lubes can be used with aluminium, the same applies as with stainless steel.
Storage: Where possible, try and store it in its original packaging.
Wood
A less common sex toy but one that is creeping out of the woodwork (!) is wood. Like the others in this list, it is also non-porous and great when specially treated to be used for your pleasure.
Wooden toys are growing in popularity and can range from oak, padauk, ash and walnut, with some great selections on the market.
Cleaning: Wooden toys cannot be boiled or put in a dishwasher, so ideally simply clean your wood sex toys with a soft cloth, and do not use abrasive cleaners.
Lubrication: You can use water based, silicone or oil based lubes, and as with glass, a little goes a long way.
Storage: Keep your wooden toys safe by storing them in cases where they will not risk being knocked around and chipping.
If you are unsure about what materials are in any of our products or would like any further information on how to store clean and what lubrication to use, please email speak to our team using the live chat and we will be more than happy to answer any queries.
