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?