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Sex toys and dildoes
Sex toys and dildoes are often confused - not that it makes a huge difference. Sex toys are a generic term for objects or devices that produce sexual pleasure when used while dildoes and butt plugs are types of sex toys.
There is also the perplexing issue as to whether the plural of dildo is dildos or dildoes. Our research suggests both are used, including the Collins English Dictionary: dildo or dildoe NOUN, plural -dos or -does
While they are also made from glass, steel and wood, dildoes are usually made from:
- Latex rubber - flexible and inexpensive, but allergenic to some people with latex allergy
- Cyberskin - a thermal plastic that feels like skin and warms up quickly
- Silicone - soft and life-like
And spare a thought for those cucumbers and courgettes, though we have to hand it to Jack who put the carrot back in the vegetable rack after an argument with his parents.
Most commonly, dildoes look like an erect cock and are put up the arse for sexual pleasure. They vary in length and width and often taper from the base to a cock-shaped head with designs and contours which are often exaggerated. Butt plugs are related to dildos but are smaller, stumpier and less penetrating. They are a gentler option to dildos, and while many guys are happy with them, others use them as stepping stone to larger ones. Dildoes and butt plugs have thicker bases to give you good grip and make sure you don’t lose it up there.
Some of today's dildoes are moulded directly from the penis's of porn stars (suggesting you can live out your fantasy) complete with vibration settings, controller pads with separate on/off button (always good to know) and harness compatible suction cup bases. Equally, some of us have 'the one', not too large and not too small, that does the job. In short, using dildoes is not a competition and bigger does not necessarily equate to better - though by all means experiment as improvements in manufacturing continue to widen choice, shapes, sizes, and textures.
Before getting one, you would do well to consider what you want to get out of their use:
- A broader based dildo tends to stretch and stimulate your anal canal.
- To excite your prostate gland you’ll probably need one that’s longer.
- It’s easier to keep hold of and manipulate a dildo with a ball shaped or wider base.
Dildo maintenance
How you clean a sex toy depends on what it is made of. Sex toys should come with advice on the packaging about how to clean and store them, which you should follow. It's worth asking about this when you buy as its material and any moving/ electrical parts will determine how it's cleaned.
Check sex toys regularly for any scratches or breaks in the surface material where germs could be present and spread, as this can increase the risk of transmission; Hepatitis for example.
A tried and tested tip is to put them in the dishwasher but some materials can degrade as a result.
Click the link below if you would like to find out more about dildoes and how to clean them.
However, please use this information as guidance only as we are not replacing your dildo collection if something goes wrong.
Hepatitis | MEN R US
Rubber dildoes (porous)
About: Latex rubber is commonly used to make many dildoes, tends to be very firm and not very lifelike to the touch, and is less flexible and 'jiggly' than silicone or jelly.
Use: Can cause an allergic reaction if you’re sensitive to latex so you will need to use a non-latex condom.
Washing: Clean thoroughly in warm water with antibacterial soap, paying careful attention to any 'veins', bumps, and ridges, then pat dry with a soft clean cloth. Rubber dildoes can react with other sex toy materials so store separately in a cool, moisture-free place, away from direct sunlight.
Good to know: Use water-based lubricants preferably.
Thermoplastic rubber (TPR) dildoes (porous)
About: TPR is a polymer blend that has a thermoplastic character. TPR is hypo-allergenic, non-toxic and phthalate free.
Cleaning: Clean thoroughly in warm water with antibacterial soap, paying careful attention to any 'veins', bumps, and ridges, then pat dry with a soft clean cloth. Rubber dildoes can react with other sex toy materials so store separately in a cool, moisture-free place, away from direct sunlight.
Good to know: Water-based lubricants preferably.
Thermoplastic rubber | Wikipedia
Jelly dildoes (porous)
About: Jelly sex toys are from a mixture of PVC and rubber, resulting in a soft jelly-like texture and feel. Jelly often looks translucent and sometimes has a rubber odour.
Use: Use only water-based lubricants with jelly toys.
Cleaning: Wash thoroughly in warm water with antibacterial soap, paying careful attention to any 'veins', bumps, and ridges, then pat dry with a soft clean cloth. Rubber dildoes can react with other sex toy materials so store separately in a cool, moisture-free place, away from direct sunlight.
Essential to know: Jelly sex toys are made with phthalates. Phthalates are “plasticisers” or softeners added to plastics to make jelly more flexible, more transparent and allow them to last longer. Studies have shown that phthalates can be potential health risks and are phased out of many products in the United States and European Union over health concerns, particularly in products which are consumed by mouth, such as food packaging and water bottles. Although no conclusive studies on the health risks for jelly sex toys have been conducted, we recommend that you always use a condom when using a sex toy made of jelly for added protection. However, there are also jelly-like materials called Elastomers, which we understand to be safe and a much higher quality.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) | Wikiipedia
Natural rubber | Wikipedia
Phthalate | Wikipedia
Elastomer dildoes (porous)
About: Similar to jelly, elastomer is a much higher quality compound that does not include phthalates and is ideal for manufacturing a variety of textures.
Use: Water-based lubricants preferably.
Cleaning: Wash thoroughly in warm water with antibacterial soap, paying careful attention to any 'veins', bumps, and ridges, then pat dry with a soft clean cloth. Elastomer dildoes can react with other sex toy materials so store separately in a cool, moisture-free place, away from direct sunlight.
Elastomer | Wikipedia
CyberSkin dildoes (porous)
About: CyberSkin is a thermal plastic and brand-name of a soft elastomer material that, like skin, is warm/ soft to the touch with a firm underlying texture.
Use: Only use water-based lubricants on these materials; silicone or any petroleum or oil-based lubricant will destroy CyberSkin.
Cleaning: Wash thoroughly in warm water with antibacterial soap, paying careful attention to any 'veins', bumps, and ridges, then pat dry with a soft clean cloth. Do not use alcohol-based or other household cleansers as they will damage the material.
Elastomer | Wikipedia
Silicone dildoes (non porous)
About: Silicone is soft and lifelike, hypo-allergenic, and warms up quickly to body temperature.
Use: Use water based lubricants only as silicone or silicone-based lubricants used on silicone sex toys can damage them.
Cleaning: Wash thoroughly in hand hot water with antibacterial soap, or wash in the dishwasher, or simmer in a pan of water for a few minutes, or clean it with a sex toy cleaner. Be sure to store your silicone dildos separately from other silicone sex toys, or they may react with one another. You can also soak in 1 part thin bleach/ 10 parts water solution, but rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Silicone | Wikipedia
Steel dildoes (non porous)
About: Made of chrome alloy and stainless steel so should last almost indefinitely if cared for properly.
Use: Suitable for all types of lubricant
Cleaning: Wash thoroughly in hand hot water with antibacterial soap, then dry with a clean tissue or soft cloth. Metal dildoes are usually made from stainless steel or anodised aluminium, so avoid abrasive cleaning agents which dull / degrade the finish/ shine. Storage is easy as they won't react with any other materials. You can also soak in 1 part thin bleach/ 10 parts water solution, but rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Good to know: Easily warmed to body temperature.
Chrome plating | Wkipedia
Stainless steel | Wikipedia
Glass dildoes (non porous)
About: Made from clear medical grade borosilicate glass (think Pyrex)
Use: Suitable for all types of lubricant
Cleaning: These dildoes are very durable and easy to clean. In fact, they should be dishwasher safe, like a casserole dish. However, if you don't fancy putting it in the dishwasher: wash thoroughly in hand hot water with antibacterial soap, then dry with a clean tissue or soft cloth. You can also soak in 1 part thin bleach/ 10 parts water solution, but rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Borosilicate glass | Wikipedia
Pyrex | Wikipedia
Hard plastic; eg: acrylic or lucite (non porous)
About: These materials are very hard (like the plastics used on gym equipment).
Use: Suitable for all types of lubricant
Cleaning: Wash thoroughly in hand hot water with antibacterial soap, or clean it with a sex toy cleaner. You can also soak in 1 part thin bleach/ 10 parts water solution, but be sure to rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Acrylate polymer | Wikipedia
Poly(methyl methacrylate) aka Lucite | Wikipedia
How risky is playing with sex toys? | LGBT Hero
Sex toys | NAM Aidsmap
Are your sex toys safe | NHS
Sex toy | Wikipedia
Dildo | Wikipedia
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