Body-Safe Sex Toy Materials: What to Look For

Two toys can look the same in a photo and be made of very different things. One might be solid silicone you can wash and keep for years. The other might be a soft, porous rubber that holds on to bacteria however well you clean it. The material is the single most useful thing to check before you buy, and it's usually listed on the product page. This guide explains what each common material means for cleaning, sharing and lube, using advice from Australian health services checked on 30 October 2026.

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Porous and non-porous: the one distinction that matters

Quin, the sexual health service of Thorne Harbour Health, sorts toy materials into two groups.

Non-porous materials have a sealed surface. Quin lists silicone, glass, stainless steel and hard plastic, and says these are the easiest to clean and the most durable.

Porous materials have tiny holes in the surface. Quin lists jelly rubber, elastomer or TPE, PVC and vinyl. Those holes can absorb bacteria, so Quin suggests keeping porous toys for solo use, or putting a condom over them if they're shared. It also says never to boil porous toys or use harsh cleaners on them, and to replace them if they change colour or start to smell.

That's the whole idea in a sentence: non-porous toys can be cleaned properly, porous ones can't be cleaned as thoroughly and wear out sooner.

Common materials at a glance

Quin adds one caution that applies to everything: soap and water won't necessarily remove all STI-related bacteria or viruses. For extra cleaning, Quin lists isopropyl alcohol, chlorinated sanitiser and antibacterial toy cleaners, used as the toy maker allows.

Why silicone is the usual recommendation

Silicone is non-porous, flexible and easy to wash, which is why it's so common in toys. The brands we've reviewed all use it. Womanizer's warranty page says its products are free from phthalates, BPA and latex. We-Vibe's FAQ says its toys are covered in body-safe silicone or PC-ABS plastic. Satisfyer uses silicone for its air pulse heads, as our Satisfyer review explains.

There's one catch. Sexual Health Victoria says silicone-based lube can't be used with silicone sex toys, because it may damage the toy and increase the risk of transmitting STIs. Quin also says silicone lube can degrade silicone toys over time. So with a silicone toy, use water-based lube. Our lube guide covers the other combinations.

Reading a product listing

Most Australian retailers list the material on each product page. A few things to look for:

• A named material. "Silicone", "ABS plastic", "borosilicate glass" or "stainless steel" tells you what you're buying. A vague word such as "skin-safe" or "premium" on its own tells you very little.
• Mixed materials. Some toys combine a hard plastic body with a silicone coating, or a silicone head with a TPE sleeve. Treat each part by its own material.
• "Phthalate-free". Some brands state this on the listing. Womanizer, for example, says its products are made without phthalates, BPA and latex.
• Waterproof rating. If you plan to wash a toy under the tap or submerge it, check it's waterproof. Quin says only submerge a toy that is.
• Care instructions. Quin advises following the maker's instructions. A motorised toy usually can't be boiled. We-Vibe's FAQ, for example, says never to boil its products.

If a listing doesn't say what a toy is made of, ask the retailer before you buy, or choose one that does.

What about safety standards?

Lovehoney's help centre says it played a leading role in developing ISO 3533, an international safety standard for sex toys, and describes the standard as covering materials suitable for body contact that are non-toxic and hypoallergenic. That's Lovehoney's description. We haven't read the standard, and a product page won't always say whether a toy meets it. The material listed on the page is still the most useful thing you can check.

Smell, colour and stickiness

We-Vibe's FAQ warns that some products sold as silicone are blended with lower-quality materials, and says a material that gives off an odour isn't pure silicone. Quin's advice is to replace a porous toy if it changes colour or starts to smell. Quin also says silicone lube can degrade silicone toys over time, and suggests storing porous toys separately because some materials react with each other. If a toy's surface changes, treat it as a sign to stop using it.

If a toy is faulty or not as described when it arrives, your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply. The ACCC says products must be of acceptable quality and match their description, and a "no refunds" sign can't take that away.

Allergies and sensitive skin

Some people react to latex or to certain materials. Sexual Health Victoria notes that some people are allergic to latex, and that non-latex condoms are available. Quin suggests that people with sensitive skin choose a water-based lube that's glycerine-free, fragrance-free or hypoallergenic.

If you notice irritation, itching, a rash or pain after using a toy or a product, stop using it and talk to a GP, a pharmacist or a sexual health clinic.

Sharing toys

The Australian Government's Beforeplay advice is to avoid sharing sex toys and to wash them thoroughly each time you use them. If you do share, a non-porous toy is easier to clean between partners. Quin and Sexual Health Victoria both mention putting a condom over a toy, and Sexual Health Victoria says to use a new condom when switching from one kind of sex to another. For a porous toy, Quin's advice is solo use or a condom.

How long toys last, and warranties

Non-porous toys last longer, but motors and batteries don't last forever. Warranties vary a lot between retailers and brands:

Keep your receipt or order confirmation. Most warranty claims need it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the safest material for a sex toy?

Quin lists silicone, glass, stainless steel and hard plastic as non-porous materials that are the easiest to clean and the most durable.

Is TPE body safe?

TPE is porous, according to Quin, which means it can absorb bacteria. Quin suggests keeping porous toys for solo use or using them with a condom, never boiling them, and replacing them if they change colour or smell.

Can I use silicone lube with a silicone toy?

Sexual Health Victoria says no, because it may damage the toy. Use a water-based lube instead.

Can I boil my sex toy?

Quin says some non-motor toys can be boiled for 1 to 3 minutes. Never boil porous toys or toys with a motor or battery, and follow the maker's instructions.

How do I know what my toy is made of?

Check the product listing or packaging. If the material isn't stated, ask the retailer before buying.

Should I share sex toys?

Beforeplay advises avoiding sharing sex toys and washing them thoroughly each time. If you share, Quin suggests a condom over the toy, and Sexual Health Victoria says to use a new condom when switching from one kind of sex to another.