Comments on: That Body-safe Sex Toy Could Make You Sick

By: Among The Stars: The History of Porn Star Sex Toys

Among The Stars: The History of Porn Star Sex Toys — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 19:01:47 +0000

[…] they’re sanitized. Sex toy reviewers are growing critical of labels like “body-safe” and doing their own research, pressuring the industry to be more […]

By: Wearing a dildo: Is it safe for you – Choose The Outfit

Wearing a dildo: Is it safe for you – Choose The Outfit — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 01:32:49 +0000

[…] keep a jug of oil helpful for additional solace. Make sure to utilize grease that is good with the material of the dildo, and with […]

By: dizzygirl

dizzygirl — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 15:18:00 +0000

In reply to dv8.

I know there is a difference between sanitizing and sterilizing. Thanks for the input. I still don’t recommend porous toys. And yes, other things besides bacteria can live on a sex toy.

By: dv8

dv8 — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 09:00:00 +0000

You’re confusing sanitization with sterilization. Toys made from hard plastic, wood, or some ceramics won’t survive common methods of sterilization, or possibly even less effective methods like submersion in boiling water. Neither will silicone vibrators with built-in electronics. Being nonporous doesn’t mean a toy can be sterilized.

Conversely, if a toy can survive the method of sterilization, being nonporous doesn’t prevent it from being sterilized. Sterilization via autoclave or via irradiation will kill germs hiding in pores. Of course, remnants of the dead germs can remain in the pores.

The issue at hand is sanitization: you want to be able to clean and disinfect a toy, using common household means such as wiping with bleach or alcohol, or running through the dishwasher. That’s where porosity matters. Pores will harbor germs which will survive a casual cleaning of the surface of a toy. Then again, a casual cleaning won’t kill all the germs on a surface and will be less effective than sterilization. Silicone and glass toys also may have bubbles or may be designed to have creases and wrinkles, all of which can harbor germs just like pores do. Likewise, rubbing a metal nipple chain with an alcohol wipe won’t clean every nook and cranny.

Boiling water should be able to kill germs hiding in pores. This won’t be good for some silicone vibrators and some nonelectronic bodysafe toys. Toys made from porous rubbers, however, aren’t likely to survive a bath in boiling water.

Hard plastic and sealed wood might react to alcohol or bleach. Metal toys or silicone vibrators with metal charging contacts definitely shouldn’t be exposed to bleach. Additionally, pigments used in glass and silicone toys may be affected by bleach, alcohol, or heat.

Lastly, singling out bacteria neglects other infectious agents like viruses, viral spores, and fungal spores.

By: dizzygirl

dizzygirl — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 02:18:00 +0000

In reply to Red Hot Rosaline.

Thanks. I wanted to keep this kind of short and focus on TPR since I’ve seen a lot of that lately and worked with a new retailer on whether or not they should carry certain TPR products.

I’ve mentioned TPE, etc. here:
http://toymeetsgirlreviews.com/stmsds-html

By: Red Hot Rosaline

Red Hot Rosaline — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 02:08:00 +0000

This is great! It’s very informative, yet clear and concise. Love your suggestions as well!
One tiny suggestion: I’d add stuff about TPE and elastomer being porous too, since I’ve come across those materials often.

By: dizzygirl

dizzygirl — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 18:14:00 +0000

In reply to Camryn Jones.

Thanks. I’m glad you like how I wrote it. It was supposed to be a contribution to another site but they didn’t want it.

Seems like there is a lot of confusion amongst non-sexblogger folks about what body-safe and nonporous mean so, I was trying to clear that up.

By: Camryn Jones

Camryn Jones — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 17:20:00 +0000

Well done Dizzy! This is very easy to understand. Someone that knew nothing of sex toy materials wouldn’t get overwhelmed and they’d know what to look for to get more information. *thumbs up*
I appreciate the emphasis on porous toys. I knew to stay away from toys that contained carcinogens but I did purchase a TPR vibrator before I knew it could hold onto bacteria.
Luckily it was weak so I only used it once *laughs*