Sex Toy Materials: A Practical UK Guide

The material a toy is made from decides how thoroughly you can clean it, which lube you can use with it, how it feels and how long it lasts. Non-porous materials such as silicone, glass, stainless steel and hard ABS plastic can be cleaned properly. Softer, cheaper materials such as TPE, PVC and jelly need more care, so check the material on the product page before you buy.

ORGAZM product pages list the material wherever the maker states it. This guide explains what those words mean in practice, and what to do when a listing doesn't say.

Materials at a glance

Material	Feel	Lube to use	Cleaning	Worth knowing
Silicone	Smooth and slightly velvety; soft to firm	Water-based (see below on silicone lube)	Warm water and mild, unscented soap, or a toy cleaner	Non-porous and durable. Quality varies by maker, so look for a clear material statement.
Glass	Hard, smooth and weighty	Any type	Warm water and soap	Check for chips or cracks before every use. Never use a damaged glass toy.
Stainless steel and metal	Hard, heavy and cool to the touch	Any type	Warm water and soap	Very durable. Holds temperature, which some people enjoy.
ABS plastic	Hard and light	Check the maker's compatibility instructions	Wipe or wash as the maker allows	Common for vibrator bodies and bullets. Only wet it if it's rated waterproof.
TPE / TPR	Soft, stretchy and skin-like	Water-based	Wash carefully and dry fully	More porous, so it can hold onto bacteria. Wears faster than silicone.
PVC and jelly	Soft and flexible	Water-based	Wash carefully; follow the maker's instructions	Usually softened with plasticisers. Harder to clean thoroughly and can degrade with age.

What does "non-porous" mean, and why does it matter?

A non-porous surface has no tiny holes for bacteria to settle into, so washing actually gets it clean. NHS sexual health services recommend choosing non-porous materials like silicone, stainless steel or glass because they're easier to clean and less likely to harbour bacteria (Essex Sexual Health Service).

Porous materials such as TPE, TPR and jelly can't be cleaned as thoroughly. That doesn't make them unusable, but it does change how you look after them: wash them every time, let them dry fully, use a condom over them if they're shared, and replace them sooner.

PVC sits in between. Some makers describe their PVC as non-porous, while others don't say. Go by the product's own material statement and care instructions rather than the general rule.

Silicone: the all-rounder

Silicone is the most common material for good-quality vibrators, plugs and dildos. It's non-porous, warms to body temperature, comes in soft and firm versions, and lasts well when cared for.

"Silicone" covers a range of quality. A clear statement from the maker is a good sign. If a listing says "silicone blend" or "silicone-like", treat it as a different material.

Some solid silicone toys without a motor can be boiled or sterilised, but only do this if the maker's care instructions say so.

Glass and metal: hard, heavy and easy to clean

Glass and steel toys are non-porous and simple to wash. Their weight and firmness feel very different from silicone: some people love the pressure and the way they hold temperature; others find them too unyielding.

Inspect glass before each use and stop using it if it's chipped, cracked or scratched. With metal plugs and rings, check the listing for the exact metal; "stainless steel" is a specific claim, "metal" is not.

TPE, TPR, PVC and jelly: soft and affordable, with more care needed

These softer materials make realistic dildos, stretchy cock rings and masturbator sleeves possible at lower prices. Look after them like this:

• Use water-based lube unless the maker says otherwise.
• Wash after every use and let the toy air-dry completely before storing it.
• Store it separately, not touching other toys, because some soft materials can react with each other.
• Put a condom over it if you share it.
• Replace it if the surface turns sticky, tears, changes colour or smells even after washing.

What does "phthalate-free" mean?

Phthalates are chemicals used to soften some plastics, especially PVC. "Phthalate-free" means the maker states none were used. It's a useful thing to see on a soft toy, but it doesn't make a material non-porous, so the cleaning advice above still applies.

Which lube works with which material?

• Water-based lube is generally compatible with common toy materials and latex condoms, but check the toy and condom makers' instructions, and follow them if either has special compatibility requirements.
• Silicone lube lasts longer and suits glass, metal and hard plastic. Some silicone lubes can affect the surface of silicone toys over time, so use water-based with silicone toys unless the maker says silicone lube is fine.
• Oil-based products damage latex condoms and can degrade soft materials. Keep them for massage.

Our guide to water-based vs silicone lube goes into more detail.

Cleaning, sharing and storage

• Wash toys before and after use with warm water and a mild, unscented soap or a toy cleaner, and follow the maker's instructions (Essex Sexual Health Service).
• Keep water away from charging ports and battery compartments unless the toy is rated waterproof.
• If you share toys, wash them between uses or cover them with a condom, and change the condom between partners and when moving between vaginal and anal use (Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust; Essex Sexual Health Service).
• Store toys clean and dry, in a pouch or box, out of direct sunlight.

Examples from our range

Product	Material, as stated by the maker	Price
SilexD 7 inch Realistic Silicone Dual Density Dildo	Dual-density silicone; phthalate-free	£36.99
Svakom Elva Remote Control Vibrating Bullet	Silicone body; waterproof	£52.99
Spectrum Ribbed Glass Dildo	Glass	£29.99
Bound to Please Glans Ring, 30mm	Stainless steel	£9.99
Loving Joy 10 Function Clitoral Suction Vibrator	ABS plastic	£19.99
Rev-Rings Stretchy Cock Ring	TPE	£5.99
Loving Joy Realistic Dildo with Balls and Suction Cup, 6 inch	PVC	£14.99

Prices and stock checked 4 November 2026.

How we chose these: each product is in stock, its listing states the material clearly, and together they cover every material in this guide across a range of prices.

How to read a product listing

• Material: look for a specific statement ("silicone", "stainless steel", "TPE"). Vague wording usually means a blend.
• Waterproofing: "waterproof", "splash-proof" and an IPX rating all mean different things. Only submerge a toy if the maker says you can.
• Size: insertable length and diameter or circumference tell you more than total length.
• Care: follow the maker's instructions over any general advice, including this guide.

If a listing doesn't answer your question, email customerservice@orgazm.co.uk before you order.

Frequently asked

Is silicone always the best choice?

It's the easiest material to look after and suits most people. Glass and steel are equally easy to clean and feel very different. Softer materials can be a good, affordable choice if you look after them as described above.

Can I use silicone lube with a silicone toy?

Some silicone lubes can affect silicone toys over time, so water-based lube is the safe default. Use silicone lube only if both the toy and lube makers say they're compatible.

Can I boil or dishwash my toy?

Only if the maker's instructions say so. Anything with a motor, battery or charging port should never be boiled or put in a dishwasher.

What does "body-safe" mean?

It isn't a regulated term. Look instead for a specific material statement and clear care instructions.

When should I replace a toy?

When the surface is sticky, torn, cracked or chipped, when it smells after washing, or when a motor or charging port stops working properly. Soft materials tend to need replacing sooner than silicone, glass or steel.

Shop by material and type: dildos, butt plugs, vibrators, cock rings and lubricants. Every order ships in plain, unbranded packaging, with free UK delivery over £50.