FIRST, CYBERSKIN/UR3
CyberSkin, also known as thermal plastic, is the brand name of a soft elastomer material that mimics the experience of human skin, warm and soft to the touch, yet with a firm underlying texture. Cyberskin or UR3 (Ultra Realistic 3.0) material toys are soft and stretchy, with a velvety texture. Sex toys made of these substances are more durable than latex, but also often carry higher price tags. If your CyberSkin (or equivalent material) ever becomes unpleasantly sticky, just give it a light dusting of cornstarch to restore its original texture. ONLY USE water-based lubricants on these materials like silicone or any petroleum or oil-based lubricant will destroy CyberSkin. Toys made of these materials are extremely porous, so sharing of toys without a condom is not safe.
Sexpert Advice on Care and Lubrication: You should thoroughly clean the sex toys made of these materials between uses, and coat them with a proprietary renewal powder to ensure it retains its lifelike texture. You can also use cornstarch and a soft cloth to keep your sex toys in the best condition. These materials are extremely sensitive. Clean them with warm water and a mild antibacterial solution like Ready Toy Cleaner. Do not use alcohol-based or other types of household cleaner as they will damage the material. After cleaning, pat dry with a lint-free towel and allow your CyberSkin product to air dry before applying renewal powder. This will prevent discoloration and protect your toy when not in use.
SECOND, SILICONE AND JELLY
Silicone
Silicone is soft and lifelike, it is hypoallergenic, and it warms up quickly to body temperature. It is non-porous and so is easy to clean with toy cleaner and water. Boil non-vibrating Toys to sterilize them. This includes sterilizing temperatures up to 300 °C (572 °F). Sex toys made of silicone are more expensive than those made of jelly and rubber, but they are particularly durable and will last for years with appropriate care.
Here is our sexpert advice on Care and Lubrication: As with all sex toys, a thorough washing after each use is called for. Use an antibacterial solution like Ready Toy Cleaner, or, as mentioned above, boil or otherwise heat the toy to sterilize it completely. When using lubricants with silicone sex toys it is important that you ONLY USE water-based lubricants like silicone or any petroleum or oil-based lubricant can destroy Silicone toys.
Jelly
Jelly sex toys are from a mixture of PVC and rubber, resulting in a soft jelly-like texture and feel. Sex toys made from jelly feel reasonably realistic. Jelly often looks translucent. Sometimes it has a rubber odor due to its porous character. Jelly sex toys have one drawback. Phthalates are used to make these types of sex toys. Phthalates are “plasticizers” or softeners added to plastics to make jelly more flexible, more transparent, and allow them to last longer. This material is one of the least expensive substances from which to make a sex toy.
Sexpert Advice on Care and Lubrication: Cleaning a jelly toy is similar to CyberSkin, which is to say use a mild anti-bacterial solution like Ready Toy Cleaner and warm water, taking care to dry the toy and store it in a cool, dry place away from other objects especially other jelly toys. ONLY USE water-based lubricants with jelly toys.
THIRD, ELASTOMERS, RUBBER AND TPR
Elastomers
Similar to jelly, the elastomer is a much higher quality. An elastomer is a compound that does not include phthalates. Phthalates are “plasticizers” used to soften PVC vinyl. If the vinyl does not contain any softeners, they are very hard PVC plastic. You can quickly determine the grade of the vinyl and quantity of plasticizers (phthalates) used by the smell. The more odor you smell, the lower the grade and the more phthalates used. Elastomers are a completely different material. They start out soft and have products added to make them harder. There are no residual hardeners. And, there is no latex. This type of material is ideal for manufacturing a variety of textures.
Care and Lubrication: Using a water-based lubricant is best. Especially, with sex toys made from elastomers. In addition, clean them after each use. Use a mild anti-bacterial solution like Ready Toy Cleaner and water.
Rubber
Many dildos are made from latex rubber. Rubber is not as pliable as silicone or jelly materials. Rubber dildos tend to be very firm and not very lifelike to the touch. If you have no latex allergies, they will serve well through many uses when properly maintained. Like jelly toys, rubber dildos are quite porous. Hence, they require the same soft-touch when cleaning them. And, always use a condom if you share. Rubber dildos can be quite inexpensive.
Sexpert Advice on Care and Lubrication: Cleaning with a soft cloth, Ready Toy Cleaner, and water after each use is mandatory when using a rubber sex toy. Be sure to use a condom if sharing this type of sex toy, and water-based lubricants are best for the long-term health of latex rubber.
TPR
(Thermoplastic rubber-TPR) is a polymer blend that has a thermoplastic character. It is hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and phthalate-free. TPR is less porous than Cyberskin. However, it is more porous than Silicone. Therefore, use a condom with sex toys made of TPR. This will prevent the spread of bacteria and other infectious agents.
Sexpert Advice on Care and Lubrication: TPR sex toys should be cleaned with water and antibacterial sex toy cleaners like Ready Toy Cleaner. You cannot sterilize this material by boiling.
FOURTH, ACRYLIC, GLASS AND STEEL
Acrylic or Lucite
These materials are as hard as a rock, which doesn’t seem like the ideal texture for a sex toy. However, this firm texture makes acrylic and Lucite perfect for PC muscle-strengthening toys such as Kegel exercisers. This material is also good for prostate-stimulating toys, which many people consider to be dildos, too. Another great thing about these materials: you can boil them without harming them, which means you can share your toys.
Care and Lubrication: These toys may be boiled for sterilization. However, if you are not sharing, a simple bath with Ready Toy Cleaner and water will do. You can use any kind of lubricant with this type of toy. These include silicone-based, water-based, or oil-based types.
Borosilicate Glass
Glass sex toys are commonly made from clear medical grade borosilicate glass. Also known as ”hard glass”. Pyrex is a well-known brand. This material (essentially “lead-free crystal”) is completely non-toxic and will withstand extreme temperatures as well as considerable physical shock without compromising its structural integrity. Glass toys made of borosilicate are completely safe. A properly annealed inch thick piece will withstand up to 3,000 lbs of pressure and extreme heat and cold. Glass dildos are non-porous. You can sterilize these types of toys. This helps prevent infection with reuse or sharing. These types of sex toys are not only durable but also visually appealing, often considered by some to resemble works of art. Glass sex toys are a long-lasting alternative to less expensive toys. You can also warm or chill these toys before use.
Sexpert Advice on Care and Lubrication: These toys may be boiled or otherwise heated for sterilization. However, if you are not sharing your toy then washing with Ready Toy Cleaner and water will do. You can even toss them in the dishwasher! You can use any type of lubricant with this type of toy. This includes silicone-based, water-based, or oil-based.
Steel
Sex toys made of chrome alloy and stainless steel are non-porous, easily warmed to body temperature, pleasurable, and beautiful. Steel sex toys will last almost indefinitely if cared for properly.
Sexpert Advice on Care and Lubrication: Stainless steel sex toys need no special precautions. Hence, all are resistant to almost everything including food and beverages. You can or wash in the dishwasher however using Ready Toy Cleaner and water is a safe and easy way to keep your toy disinfected. For lubrication, you can use any type, including water, oil, or silicone-based lubricants.