Are you questioning if your current collection of sex toys are toxic? Did you buy them years ago and aren’t quite sure what they’re made of? Here are some quick tips to help you determine if your sex toys are body safe!

Does your sex toy have a strong odor of plastic or chemicals?

Take good whiff of your toy (assuming it’s clean). Does it have a strong chemical or harsh plastic smell? This may mean that’s made with phthalates. Phthalates, also known as plasticizers, are chemicals that make plastic more flexible and harder to break. And that smell is call “off-gasing”. According to the CDC “some types of phthalates have affected the reproductive system of laboratory animals. More research is needed to assess the human health effects of exposure to phthalates.” Why haven't they tested on humans? Why are these materials even available for human use if they have ill effects on lab animals? They certainly are not considered safe! What should you do? Throw it out!

Is your sex toy soft or jelly like?

Give your sex toys a squeeze or a shake. Does it wobble around loosely? Is it SUPER squishy? Does it feel JUSTlike real skin? Chances are it’s made be made of jelly (PVC and rubber), elastomers, or TPR/TPE. All these materials are porous and can trap bacteria, mold, or mildew! Yuck! You can clean these types of toys with warm (not hot) soapy water, but they cannot be sterilized. That means that bateria can grow in the pores not matter how much you wash them. And toys made with these materials CANNOT be stored together or they melt. What should you do? Throw it out!

Is your sex toy clear?

Unless it’s made of glass, you should not be able to see through a quality sex toy. Materials made of pure silicone do not have transparent qualities. Some of the newer silicones on the market can be cloudy, but they will not be clear. If they are transparent, they’re probably made of jelly….a cheap, poor quality, porous material. What should you do? Throw it out!

Is your sex toy sweating or feels oily?

You and your partner are the only things that should be sweating, not your sex toy! If you use lube, yes your toy will feel oily, but if your toy is clean and/or you just pulled it out of storage, it should feel dry. If you do see beads of sweat coming from the sex toy’s pores you have a case of “chemical degradation”, and your toy is toxic. What should you do? THROW IT OUT!

Toxic dildos, vibrators, and other toys can leave behind rashes, burns and infections. Be careful of what you're putting in your body. 

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