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Here’s something that needs to be talked about more.

I’ve just spent all afternoon researching this online. The sex toy industry is completely unregulated, which is terrifying. There’s no laws that prevent any company selling toxic and non body-safe sex toys, and there’s a worryingly small amount on information available about it unless you’re really looking. So basically, if you own any sex toys or are looking to buy one, do your research and make sure what you’re buying or what you own is safe. If you own a toy that could be toxic, throw that shit out right now.

Firstly, avoid any toys made from jelly, PVC, rubber (including “skin-safe” rubber), cyberskin or TPE/TPR/”silicone blends”. These  are porous and can’t be sterilized. I wouldn’t recommend taking the risk, and definitely don’t share these with a partner.

When buying a toy, follow your basic instincts - if it has a strong smell (especially if it smells strongly of plastic) don’t trust it. If it leaves a greasy residue on your hands after you touch it, do not put that thing in your body.

Silicone toys are safe if they are actually made of silicone and not some kind of blend. Check where you bought them, and if in doubt, contact the manufacturer. Even then, remember there are no regulations, so I’d highly recommend only buying from a reputable manufacturer.

It’s also really important to clean your toys between uses. Check the product information for specific instructions on care and cleaning, and if in doubt wash with warm water and soap (obviously being careful of any electrical parts).

Trustworthy Manufacturers:

Barring tantus, all of these shops do sell porous products but also sell a lot of non-porous toys, and you can guarantee that all the information they provide is reliable, so just check the product details.

Tantus - They ship internationally are all their products are guaranteed to be body safe. It’s a little pricey but worth it to know what you’re putting in your body is safe. Also, they have a grab bag section where you can get heavily discounted products that are still 100% body safe.

Early to Bed - An incredible LGBTQ+ friendly shop. All of their toys are body safe and their information can be trusted.

LoveHoney - UK-based manufacturer that ships worldwide, has a wide range of toys and can be trusted on the information they provide.

Fleshlight - Sells primarily porous products but they are body safe

Tenga - Like fleshlight, they make a lot of porous toys but they are definitely non-toxic. These are the only two major male masturbator manufacturers that are truly non-toxic.

SheVibe - A reliable manufacturer who sell products at fairly reasonable prices.

There are plenty more safe manufacturers but these are just a handful I’d recommend. If in doubt, buy something made of silicone, glass, metal, wood or ceramics from any of the above manufacturers and you’ll be fine.

Resources:

There are lots of people out there who know a lot more than I do and who have done a lot of research on the matter (they’re where a lot of the information in this post came from), so here’s a few of them:

DangerousLilly - A blog choc-full of information. She has a much longer list of trustworthy manufacturers and lots of information on different materials and their varying levels of safety. Also, her documentation of what happens when you leave crappy sex toys together for a long period of time is enough to put you off of buying anything dodgy. She’s also on tumblr!

Erika Lynae - a vlogger with plenty of information about safe sex in general. I highly recommend her two videos about sex toy materials and which ones are and aren’t safe. You can follow her on tumblr too.

Bad Vibes - an organisation dedicated to demystifying the sex toy industry and providing trustworthy information.