#EdenU - Product Material and Safety

Contributor: Ansley Ansley


EdenU – Product Material and Safety

Welcome to Eden University! Today, we are going to go over some basic information on the differences between materials and what their safety ratings mean.

Sex toy materials range from your basic jelly formula to silicone to metal.
The dildo, as it has been dubbed, is no stranger to human society. There is evidence of their use dating almost 30,000 years ago! Click the link to find out more information on the history of sex toys. Did you know the first vibrator was the size of a kitchen table? My how things have improved over the years!


Safety Ratings - How Do They Work?

Material safety ratings indicate how porous an item is; the more porous an item, the greater the chance the material will hold and/or promote bacteria growth. This is especially important to take into consideration if toys are purchased in order to share them with another person, or if you wish to use the toy both anally and vaginally.



A 1 indicates the item(s) are very porous.
A 5 indicates the item(s) are somewhat porous
A 10 indicates the item(s) are not porous at all.


Which is right for you? It really depends on your history. If you are prone to infection, but you enjoy the way jelly toys feel during play, then pick up a box of your favorite condom to cover them. If condoms seem like too much work to you, then stick with the silicone and other non-porous toys like wood, metal, or stone. It really is a decision based on personal preference and any known reactions you may have had.

Eden's Guide to Toy Materials and Safety Ratings
Bookmark this page for future reference; it covers just about every material known to mankind in the sex toy industry and will help you when choosing your next purchase.

Each material class has its own set of issues - jelly toys are high-maintenance while silicone dildos need to be spot tested before using a silicone lubricant. Some of the more lifelike versions remind reviewer's of plastic shower curtains or strawberry or even vanilla. Some love the smell, others find it to be intolerable. As with all areas of life, one can simply make the choice to be informed, assess the risk, and make their decision based on what's available.

What Are Phthalates and What Are the Risks?

Simply put, phthalates are chemicals used to soften hard plastics. They are used in everyday materials. The example used in the guide linked above is of a child's rubber ducky, or a dog's squeak toy. Without those softeners, the toy would just be hard and not nearly as much fun.

The risks are not conclusive, meaning the research is out and some results are in, but at the end of the day it could be a very long time before we know what the real risks of these chemicals are. Does that mean that all of these items are harmful and should be shunned? No. There are ways to lessen the perceived risk. Just like the porous toys, toys containing phthalates can be covered with condoms or other protective materials (latex or nirile gloves) to minimize concerns.

Your Assignment:

- Study the Sex Toy Innovations infographic, there will be a fun quiz on it next Monday!

- Did you know anything about toy materials before Edenfantasys?

- What are your favorite toy materials and why?
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Contributor: puppylove puppylove
Awesome lesson! I am so glad that EF is posting these
09/18/2012
Contributor: unfulfilled unfulfilled
I like silicone, glass, and metal and don't mind plastic if it's not too hard and painful.

I did not know about materials before coming to EF; I've learned a lot in the year I've been here.
09/18/2012
Contributor: ghent529 ghent529
thanks!
09/18/2012
Contributor: PepperPot PepperPot
I'm curious about wood toys. It seems like they would be harder to sterilize than glass or silicone. I guess I'll read some reviews and find out
09/18/2012
Contributor: sweetiejo sweetiejo
I really enjoyed this!
09/18/2012
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Didn't know enough to even pay attention to them before coming here. Ya, that sure has changed.

Silicone, glass and stainless for insertable and TRP/TPE, UR3 and Superskin for strokers.
09/18/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by PepperPot
I'm curious about wood toys. It seems like they would be harder to sterilize than glass or silicone. I guess I'll read some reviews and find out
Wood actually has natural anti-bacterial properties. This is why cutting boards are made out of wood. If I'm not mistaken the wooden toys are sealed so there's very little concern about contamination.
09/18/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Didn't know enough to even pay attention to them before coming here. Ya, that sure has changed.

Silicone, glass and stainless for insertable and TRP/TPE, UR3 and Superskin for strokers.
I sooo wish I could use TPR/TPE and UR3. The toys look fantastic but we're a no-condom household so silicone it is!
09/18/2012
Contributor: kitty1949 kitty1949
I love silicone but I will tolerate TPR. Glass is ok in some cases, but they're a bit too rigid for my taste.
09/18/2012
Contributor: Big&Bald Big&Bald
Thanks!
09/18/2012
Contributor: travelnurse travelnurse
Thanks for the info, Before coming to Eden I honestly owned crap toys! Hard plastic and Jelly. I have learned so much about materials since coming here!
09/18/2012
Contributor: Beck Beck
I had no clue about materials until I came to Eden. I am surely glad that changed.

I pretty much only buy Metal, Glass, Silicone, or plastic. If I get something that isn't one of those, chances are it's an assignment. I have become a toy snob!
09/18/2012
Contributor: Silverdrop Silverdrop
Dual density silicone is so wonderful to the touch. Knowing how safe it is only makes it better.

I just wish the cyberskin products were safer. I love the feel of Fleshlight material.
09/18/2012
Contributor: jjdd jjdd
It's awesome to see websites that promote the health aspects of purchasing toys! Thanks for the info!
09/18/2012
Contributor: SelectZen SelectZen
I have to agree with Silverdrop, we recently got a dual density tantus silicone toy and it feels great. I really wouldn't have known as much about material before finding eden. The 1-10 scale is a great system I think it should be more widely used.
09/18/2012
Contributor: hawaiian chick hawaiian chick
I think its awesome that Eden lets you know the safety of the toys you are purchasing and using! Its important to know what you are buying!
09/18/2012
Contributor: PeaceToTheMiddleEast PeaceToTheMiddleEast
I used this a lot when I first joined Eden and still to date. I am glad that they tell us which is porous and which is not. It really helps out a lot. Thanks so much.
09/18/2012
Contributor: FallFire FallFire
Before Eden, I had no idea that toys were made from different materials. Now, I like my silicone and glass toys the best, because I can be sure that they are 100% clean
09/18/2012
Contributor: VanillaFreeSex VanillaFreeSex
I knew nothing of material safety before Eden. I find myself assuming people know what i talk about when i say it's a 9 on the safety scale, or a vroom of 3.

favorite material safety and quality wise would be silicone or glass. Though feel wise I really like pleasureskin and other realistic materials. but hey we can't have it all.
09/18/2012
Contributor: subtyrant subtyrant
Before EF, all I knew of toy materials consisted of understanding that different textures existed. I never put any thought into which textures indicated which materials, much less which materials might carry certain health risks.

I didn't even consider that toys could be glass or metal which, coincidentally, happen to be my favorites based on aesthetics. I just bought my first glass toy and am eager to try it out It's great that these new favorites of mine happen to be some of the safest materials and can incorporate temperature play. I gave myself a pat on the back for having such awesome taste lol

Thanks EF crew for making everything so easy and accessible!!
09/18/2012
Contributor: Jo22 Jo22
Very interesting, not something I really think about as far as that kind of detail. I will be studying that much more, i don't have any sensitivities or allergies, I did just learn a bit more about glass and some benefits when I thought it was just for looks. Great post. I know I'll learn quite a bit!
09/18/2012
Contributor: Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard
Thanks for sharing this info - hadn't really thought about it before
09/18/2012
Contributor: ChuChii ChuChii
I didnt know anything about this before, im glad this is here now, so i know which ones are body safe.
09/19/2012
Contributor: SubmissiveFeminist SubmissiveFeminist
I didn't know much about toy materials before Eden. My favorite are glass and silicone.
09/19/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
We do have o many great resources around here, the best being the first-hand knowledge the community has about materials and different ways to use toys and even how to modify them if there's something you don't quite like.

I was totally clueless before I came to Eden and I've learned so much that I've forgotten half of it.
09/19/2012
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
EdenU – Product Material and SafetyWelcome to Eden University! Today, we are going to go over some basic information on the differences between materials and what their safety ratings mean.Sex toy materials range from your basic jelly formula to ... more
I did not know much about sex toy materials before joining EF. The ladies and gentlemen who were reviewing at the time, and the product manufacturers who too the time to talk to us taught me enough to be considered almost an expert! If you stick around long enough the information available on the site will sink into your brain and son you'll be able to easily talk about any material with confidence. Or you can get a mentor, corner him/her, and such his/her brain dry...that's the beauty of EF the choice is yours!

My favorite material is glass, apparently! I would have said silicone before I organized and totally cleaned my stash a few days ago. I have a 2 to 1 ratio of glass t silicone dildos and vibes! I like glass because of the incredible feel, temperature play, and the beauty of the pieces. It's easy to care for and can be easily shared...if I find someone I want to share with!
Next favorite is definitely silicone because it is so versatile and body safe. It can offer lots of drag and a firm surface or slickness and a softer surface. I always spot test my silicone but I have never had a dildo or vibe react to silicone lube.
I wish I could tolerate jelly because I do love the texture of softer and squishier toys but inevitably it will burn me. I always test any toy I suspect of being jelly by holding it in the crook of my arm. Within just a few minutes I will notice a warming and tingling sensation, followed by a mild rash if I am going to react. It would be MUCH worse down south!
I can tolerate most TPR so most of my squishier toys are TPR...but it's not the same.
09/19/2012
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
Quote:
Originally posted by PepperPot
I'm curious about wood toys. It seems like they would be harder to sterilize than glass or silicone. I guess I'll read some reviews and find out
Not terribly because they are coated with a polyurethane or similar substance that is non-toxic and non-porous. You just wash it like you would silicone or glass. Wood toys are never left untreated as some woods are actually quite harmful to the body and they rot fairly quickly when exposed to fluids.
09/19/2012
Contributor: subtyrant subtyrant
Quote:
Originally posted by Airen Wolf
Not terribly because they are coated with a polyurethane or similar substance that is non-toxic and non-porous. You just wash it like you would silicone or glass. Wood toys are never left untreated as some woods are actually quite harmful to the body ... more
lol wood scares me. Paranoid of splinters, even though the reasonable part of my brain knows that it's something that is not so likely to happen...one day, I'll get passed that issue and try out a wooden toy.
09/19/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by Airen Wolf
Not terribly because they are coated with a polyurethane or similar substance that is non-toxic and non-porous. You just wash it like you would silicone or glass. Wood toys are never left untreated as some woods are actually quite harmful to the body ... more
Yeah, you don't want to use some of the softer woods. A dildo out of say balsa would be a really bad idea.
09/19/2012