As someone who regularly gets to try exciting and new sex toys, the material they are made from is important to me.
Sex toy materials are something most people don't give a second thought. We assume that when we buy an insertable toy, it will be safe and fun to use. While the "fun" part of that statement may be true, the safety aspect is often far from clear.
That is because, within the sex toy manufacturing industry, there are no standards for materials. This, coupled with the desire to increase profit margins, leaves some companies using dubious materials known to have long-term health issues.
I am talking specifically about PVC derivatives that use phthalates as softeners. Most of these materials leach harmful chemicals into your body and are also porous. That makes cleaning them effectively an impossible task.
So those jelly dildos or ones with fancy names for their materials hide the fact that they are not the perfect material for the job. So what is?
Let me introduce you to my pussies best friend - silicone.
Reputable sex toy manufacturers use silicone in their dildos and insertable sex toys.
Yes, platinum-cured silicone costs a heck of a lot more than PVC or TPE/TPR sex toys, but the benefits in terms of customer trust and safety outweigh those costs.
Brands producing dildos and plugs out of silicone, like John Thomas Toys, are the ones to respect in the marketplace. They choose to only use the best, body-safe materials, which is something to be saluted.
Silicone has many fantastic properties; its biggest and most important is its lack of porosity. As I alluded to earlier, some sex toy materials are porous, meaning bacteria can be present inside the material, making it impossible to effectively clean.
Silicone doesn't suffer from this problem; it is inert and definitely non-porous. That means when you clean its surface, it is actually clean, and it won't contain a possible infection waiting to happen.
Cleaning is also incredibly easy to do. Wash your toys in warm soapy water and leave them to dry. It's best to use anti-bacterial soap, but regular soap will suffice. On a side note, always ensure that your sex toys are thoroughly dry before you store them away, ready for your next toe-curling session with them.
If that wasn't easy enough, you can even clean silicone sex toys in the dishwasher or boil them if you are that way inclined. The non-porous nature of the material makes it possible to thoroughly clean it so it can be used between partners if that is your thing.
Silicone dildos will last a very long time if cared for properly. Forget the old wives' tale about never allowing silicone toys to touch when you store them away in case they melt or stick to each other. That is utter rubbish.
Other materials that leach phthalates, like PVC or jelly toys, will definitely do that, but you are safe with silicone dildos. I recommend water-based lubes, not because others will harm my silicone toys, but because it is better for your body. You can use most types of lube with a silicone sex toy from a reputable manufacturer; stay away from oil-based ones, though. Your orifices can thank me later.
Good blends of silicone come in all sorts of firmness ratings. I will not go into too much detail on this, though (google "shore hardness" for more info). In essence, manufacturers can select silicone blends that are firmer or softer depending on the designs of their sex toys and their features.
John Thomas Toys use two firmness ratings, and I adore the firmer of the two. Whilst the soft blend does feel nice, I prefer the added sensations I get when using firmer toys.
Softer blends allow you to clench down on a toy when you orgasm, while firmer silicone blends allow you to enjoy pronounced surface details on your toys. Each to their own, though; you will find which one you prefer.
For me, a good blend of silicone should not be too soft and hold its details and textures well. I also prefer blends that are more draggy than others. By that, I mean if you run a finger down your toy, you will feel resistance on a draggy blend rather than a really smooth one. Draggy blends of silicone really hold lube well and feel amazing in use.
The platinum cure silicone used by John Thomas Toys has just the right amount of surface drag for me, and I can definitely attest to how good it feels in use.
Temperature play is another great thing to try.
As silicone is non-porous, you can easily use it for temperature play. Try leaving your dildo in a bowl or warm or cool water for a few minutes before use to make it feel completely different. Warming or cooling sensations can really add to your enjoyment.
Silicone dildos may cost more in the short term, but their benefits definitely outweigh that issue. They are hypo-allergenic, non-porous, and easy to clean. They are available in some amazing colours and designs too. The fusion pour technique used by John Thomas Toys is a favourite of mine.
Look after your silicone dildos, and you will still enjoy them years after picking them up. They last much longer than toys made from dubious materials and feel incredible.
Silicone is my go-to material for insertable des toys like dildos and butt plugs. I hope that you have found this helpful information. So what are you waiting for? Check out the fantastic designs, colours and options of silicone sex toys at John Thomas Toys.