Are Sex Toys Safe?

By GETAUVE Editorial Team · Published September 8, 2026

Are Sex Toys Safe?

So are sex toys safe, or is that just marketing reassurance? For most people the answer is yes, when the material is non-porous and the item is cleaned well.

This is one of the most common questions people type into a search bar, and it deserves a direct answer rather than a sales pitch. Products in this category are, for the large majority of adults, a low-risk part of a normal intimate life. Most of the problems that do occur come from three fixable things: unclear materials, inconsistent cleaning, and using a product in a way it was not designed for.

Below is an honest breakdown of what makes these products safer or less safe, which materials to look for, what to avoid in ingredient lists, and the specific symptoms that mean you should stop and check in with a clinician.

The Short Answer

• Material is the biggest factor. Non-porous materials such as platinum-cured silicone, ABS plastic, borosilicate glass, and stainless steel can be cleaned effectively. Porous ones cannot be fully sanitized.
• Cleaning matters as much as material. Wash after every use and dry completely before storage.
• Lubricant compatibility matters. Water-based lubricant is the safe default, especially with silicone.
• Electrical safety is straightforward. Check the charging port, the cable, and whether the item is actually waterproof.
• Pain is a stop signal. Discomfort is information, not something to work through.

What Actually Determines Whether Sex Toys Are Safe

Safety here is not a single property of a product. It is the combination of four things, and you control three of them.

• What it is made of. This determines whether the surface can be cleaned to begin with.
• How it is cleaned and stored. A well-made product that sits damp in a sealed bag is worse than a simple one that is washed and dried.
• How it is used. Duration, pressure, lubricant, and whether it is shared all affect outcomes.
• Your own body. Skin sensitivity, cycle phase, hydration, medications, and any history of pain or infection all shape how your tissue responds.

It is also worth understanding how these products are regulated. In the United States, most adult products are sold as general consumer goods rather than as medical devices, which means there is no pre-market review of safety claims the way there is for drugs or medical devices. This is exactly why reading the material description matters more than reading the marketing copy.

That does not mean the category is unregulated. Consumer product safety rules still apply to electrical components and to materials that contact the body, and reputable brands publish material specifications, warranty terms, and cleaning instructions. A listing with none of those three is the clearest warning sign available before you buy, and it costs nothing to scroll past it.

Materials: Non-Porous vs Porous

Of everything on this page, this distinction matters most.

Non-porous materials have a surface that fluids cannot enter, so washing removes what is on it.

• Platinum-cured silicone. Soft, flexible, stable across temperatures, and long-lasting. Use water-based lubricant.
• ABS plastic. Rigid, smooth, and easy to sanitize. Works with all lubricant types.
• Borosilicate glass. Non-porous and simple to sanitize. Check for chips before each use.
• Stainless steel. Non-porous and very durable. Dry it fully to avoid water spotting.

Porous materials have microscopic openings that trap fluid and cannot be cleaned out.

• TPE, TPR, PVC, jelly, and rubber fall into this group.
• They often contain plasticizers added for softness, and some of those have raised health questions.
• They tend to become tacky or sticky over time, which is material breakdown rather than something you can wash off.
• If you own one, using a condom over it and replacing it regularly reduces risk.

A note on terminology: the phrase medical-grade is not a regulated standard for adult products, so it does not guarantee anything on its own. Look for a specific material name instead. Our guide to body-safe materials explains how to read these labels.

Electrical and Mechanical Safety

Rechargeable products contain lithium-ion batteries, and a few habits avoid most problems.

• Use the cable that came with the product, and check that the port is dry before charging.
• Stop using anything with a frayed cable, a loose port, a swollen casing, or unusual heat during charging.
• Do not charge unattended overnight on a soft surface such as a bed or a pillow.
• Check the IPX rating before using anything in water. Splash-proof is not the same as submersible.
• Never use a product with visible damage to the outer layer, since a tear exposes the electronics underneath.

Using Products Safely

• Use lubricant generously. Water-based is the universal default. Silicone-based lubricant may degrade silicone surfaces over time.
• Start on the lowest setting and increase gradually. Sensation that feels mild at first often builds.
• Take breaks. Extended continuous use on one area may leave lingering numbness for some people.
• Use a flared base for anything anal. The rectum can draw objects in, and retrieval is a genuine emergency.
• Clean between partners and between body areas. Use a condom for anal use and for any shared item.
• Do not share if either partner has symptoms such as unusual discharge, sores, itching, or odor.
• Respect pain. Stop, add lubricant, reduce pressure, or try a different approach rather than pushing through.

Additives to Avoid, and When to Stop

Some products include ingredients that are more likely to cause irritation, particularly on vulvar tissue, which is more permeable than the skin on your arm.

• Fragrance and flavoring. A common trigger for irritation and allergic reactions.
• Warming, cooling, or tingling agents. These can range from noticeable to genuinely painful.
• Numbing agents. Reducing sensation may let you apply more pressure than is comfortable, which raises injury risk.
• Phthalates. Historically used to soften PVC. Look for products described as phthalate-free.
• Antibacterial additives in lubricants or washes, which may disrupt the natural balance of the area.

Stop using a product and contact a clinician if you notice persistent itching, burning, swelling, unusual discharge or odor, visible sores or cuts, bleeding that is not from your period, or pain that continues after you stop. These symptoms have many possible causes, and several of them are easy to address once identified.

Routine maintenance is the other half of the answer. See how to clean silicone products for the wash and dry routine, and sexual wellness for beginners if you are starting from scratch.

Final Thoughts

Are sex toys safe? For most adults, yes, and the risk is largely manageable through material choice, cleaning, and paying attention to discomfort. You do not need an expensive product to be safe, but you do need to know what it is made of.

If you would rather not research every listing yourself, the customer favorites collection is limited to non-porous materials with clear specifications.

Sources

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — consumer product safety and lithium-ion battery guidance
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration — regulation of medical devices versus general consumer products
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — vulvovaginal irritation and contact dermatitis
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — sexual health and reducing infection transmission
• National Institutes of Health — phthalate exposure and consumer product materials

Written by the GETAUVE Editorial Team. This article is general education and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about symptoms, conditions, or any health decision.