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Sex Toy Materials – Hard Plastics

By Cory Silverberg, About.com

Updated January 19, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

What are hard plastic sex toys made of?:

  • There are a variety of hard plastics used to make sex toys. They are non-porous materials.
  • This means they are easier to keep clean, and people are less likely to react to them.
  • These materials do not contain phthalates.
  • These toys are usually suitable for people concerned with allergic reactions or chemical sensitivities.
Taking care of hard plastic sex toys:

  • To clean hard plastic sex toys you can use soap, rubbing alcohol, or bleach (if you are using alcohol or bleach, be careful to rinse thoroughly).
  • Care should be taken to avoid dropping hard plastic sex toys , as they may crack. Even if the motor is still functioning, a cracked vibrator should not be used as the edges could be sharp.
  • You can use any water based or silicone based personal lubricants with hard plastic toys.
Safer sex and hard plastic sex toys:

  • It is possible to transmit infections on sex toys that have not been sterilized even if they have been washed.
  • Because most hard plastic sex toys cannot be boiled (like silicone sex toys ) use a condom to keep them clean and free of bacteria.
  • If you are going to share a sex toy with a partner use a condom on the toy to prevent transmission of bodily fluids.
  • While it is not recommended, if you are going to use a toy both vaginally and anally use a condom to prevent transmission of bacteria.
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