Research-based: how we put this guide together. This is an educational guide based on manufacturers’ and retailers’ published material information as of October 8, 2026, plus public sexual-health guidance. We haven’t lab-tested any materials. Sources are linked inline and listed at the end. This isn’t medical advice. If you have allergies, skin conditions, or symptoms after using a toy, talk to a healthcare provider.

Before features, before brand, before price, check what a toy is made of. The material decides how easy a toy is to clean, which lubricants you can use, how long it’s likely to last, and whether it’s a good idea to share it.

This plain-English guide covers silicone, TPE, glass, and the other materials you’ll see most often, explains the porous vs. non-porous question, and gives simple care rules for each.

Short answer: Four common materials are non-porous and the easiest to keep clean: body-safe silicone, ABS plastic, borosilicate glass, and stainless steel (LELO). Porous materials like TPE, jelly, latex, and “realistic” blends need more care: avoid sharing them, use a condom over them, and replace them more often. With silicone toys, use water-based lube unless the manufacturer says otherwise.

Porous vs. non-porous sex toys: the one idea that matters most

A non-porous material has a sealed surface, so there’s nowhere for fluids, lube, or bacteria to hide. It can be cleaned thoroughly. A porous material has tiny openings that can hold onto residue even after washing.

LELO puts it simply. Medical-grade silicone, borosilicate glass, stainless steel, and ABS plastic “are all non-porous and won’t trap bacteria.” Jelly rubber, TPE, latex, and fabric “are difficult to fully disinfect and can harbor bacteria” (LELO).

Quick comparison table

MaterialPorous?CleaningLube to useNotes
Silicone (body-safe)Non-porousEasier to clean thoroughlyWater-based (avoid silicone lube unless the maker says it’s OK)Most common premium material (Adam & Eve)
ABS plasticNon-porousEasier to clean thoroughlyWater-based (check the manual)Adam & Eve says firm plastic transmits vibration well and is common in budget toys. It says this about plastic toys generally, not ABS specifically (Adam & Eve). LELO says the ABS it uses “does not leach” (LELO FAQ)
Stainless steel / metalNon-porousEasier to clean thoroughlyCheck the manufacturer’s guidanceAdam & Eve notes metal warms up and holds heat (Adam & Eve)
Borosilicate glassNon-porousEasier to clean thoroughlyCheck the manufacturer’s guidanceListed as non-porous by LELO (LELO). Not all glass toys are borosilicate (see below)
TPE / TPRPorousHarder to fully disinfectWater-basedDeveloped as phthalate-free alternatives to jelly (Adam & Eve)
Jelly / PVC / rubber / latexPorous or semi-porousHarder to fully disinfectWater-based; avoid petroleum-based productsAdam & Eve warns petroleum lube can damage rubber-based toys (Adam & Eve)
“Realistic” skin-like blends (e.g., Cyberskin)PorousHarder; needs special careWater-basedAdam & Eve suggests condoms and renewal powder (Adam & Eve)

Silicone: the default “body-safe” choice

Silicone is the material you’ll see on most premium vibrators. Adam & Eve’s materials guide describes it as non-porous, durable, and able to return to its shape after bending (Adam & Eve). LELO says its silicone is nonporous, “will not harbor bacteria,” and contains no BPA, lead, latex, or phthalates (LELO FAQ).

Here’s how some brands describe their materials on product pages:

  • We-Vibe describes Sync O as “Body-safe silicone. Free from phthalates and BPA and made without latex” (We-Vibe).
  • Lovense says Lush 4’s exterior is “100% pure body-safe silicone” with an electroplated plastic LED tail, and that “None of Lovense’s products contain phthalates” (Lovense).
  • LELO says it meets ISO 3533, an international safety standard for sex toys (LELO FAQ). ISO 3533:2021 is a voluntary standard that, in ISO’s words, “specifies safety and user information requirements relating to the materials and design” of sex toys intended to come in direct contact with the genitals and/or anus (ISO). We haven’t seen LELO’s certification paperwork, so this is LELO’s own claim.

Two silicone caveats

  1. Lube compatibility. Silicone-based lubricant can damage silicone toys (more below).
  2. “Silicone” on a label isn’t a guarantee. Brands that publish full material specs, like the ones cited here, make it easier to know what you’re buying. Be wary of very low-cost listings that say “silicone” without any other detail.

Watch for coatings and mixed materials

Many toys combine materials. For example, LELO lists LILY 3 as “ABS with silicone soft touch coating” (LELO), and We-Vibe lists Tango X as “ABS, body-safe silicone” (We-Vibe). Mixed construction like this is common. It’s simply worth knowing what touches your skin.

Can you use silicone lube with a silicone toy?

Usually not. LELO says to “avoid using silicone-based moisturizers as they could damage the silicone of your device” (LELO FAQ), and We-Vibe’s FAQ says to “only use water-based lubricants from known manufacturers” (We-Vibe FAQ). Water-based lube is the safe default. Use silicone lube only if your toy’s manufacturer specifically says it’s compatible.

ABS plastic, metal, and glass

These hard, non-porous materials are all easy to keep clean.

  • ABS plastic is firm and passes vibration through efficiently. Adam & Eve notes that budget plastic toys are often basic and may have weaker motors (Adam & Eve). LELO says ABS “does not leach” and is also used in children’s toys (LELO FAQ).
  • Metal toys are non-porous, according to Adam & Eve, and they start cool, then warm up and hold heat (Adam & Eve). If you have a known metal allergy, check the exact alloy with the manufacturer and talk to a healthcare provider.
  • Borosilicate glass is listed by LELO among the non-porous, easy-to-sanitize materials (LELO). Not every glass toy is borosilicate, though. One glass-toy maker says its standard toys are soda-lime glass, not heat-resistant glass, and are “sensitive to rapid changes in temperature” (GlassToys.com), so check which glass a toy uses and don’t assume it can handle heat. Check glass toys for chips or cracks before each use, and don’t use one that’s damaged. One glass-toy brand’s instructions, for example, say to check for “hairline cracks, chips, deep scratches, or sharp imperfections” before every use and to stop using the toy if you find any (Loving Joy Spectrum glass dildo instructions).

Porous materials: TPE, TPR, jelly, PVC, latex, and “realistic” blends

Porous materials are common in lower-cost and very lifelike toys. They aren’t automatically “bad,” but they need more care.

  • Jelly was once very popular. Adam & Eve says a health scare over phthalates (chemicals used to soften some plastics) led many manufacturers to switch to TPE/TPR, and that the few jelly toys still on the market are now phthalate-free (Adam & Eve). That’s Adam & Eve’s view of the market, not a rule (see the labels section below), so check each listing for a phthalate-free statement rather than assuming it.
  • TPE/TPR are described by Adam & Eve as “moderately soft and flexible” (Adam & Eve). LELO lists TPE among the materials that are difficult to fully disinfect (LELO).
  • Rubber, PVC, and latex are described by Adam & Eve as semi-porous with tacky surfaces, and incompatible with petroleum-based lubes (Adam & Eve). If you have a latex allergy, avoid latex toys entirely and look for products labeled latex-free, as We-Vibe labels its products (We-Vibe).
  • Realistic materials (brand names such as Cyberskin) are porous. Adam & Eve recommends condoms and a renewal powder to keep them in good condition (Adam & Eve).

If you use porous toys: avoid sharing them (LELO says that if you do, always use a condom), cover them with a condom during play, clean them immediately afterward, and replace them more often than non-porous toys (LELO).

TPE vs. silicone

FeatureSilicone (body-safe)TPE / TPR
Porous?Non-porous (LELO)Porous; LELO lists TPE as hard to fully disinfect (LELO)
How brands describe itNon-porous, durable, returns to shape (Adam & Eve)“Moderately soft and flexible”; “originally developed as phthalate-free versions of jelly” (Adam & Eve)
LubeWater-based unless the maker says otherwise (LELO FAQ)Water-based
SharingClean thoroughly between usesAvoid sharing; if you do, use a condom (LELO)

In short, silicone is the easier material to keep clean. TPE can still be a reasonable choice for a toy that only one person uses, as long as you follow the extra care steps above.

What “body-safe” and “phthalate-free” labels do and don’t mean

Labels are the main thing you have to go on when you buy, so it helps to know how much weight each one carries.

  • “Body-safe” is how brands describe their own materials. We couldn’t find a US rule that defines it for adult toys, so read it as the manufacturer’s claim and look for the specific material named next to it (“body-safe silicone,” “ABS”).
  • “Phthalate-free” is also a manufacturer claim. US federal phthalate limits apply to children’s toys and child care articles (CPSC; 16 CFR 1307.3). We found no equivalent US rule for adult toys, so look for the statement on each listing.
  • “Latex-free” or “made without latex” matters if you have a latex allergy. We-Vibe, for example, states it on its product pages (We-Vibe).
  • Standards claims, like LELO’s ISO 3533 statement, refer to a voluntary international standard (ISO). They tell you what the brand says it follows, not that an independent body certified the specific toy you’re buying.
  • “Silicone” with no other detail on a very cheap listing is the weakest signal. Brands that publish full material lists and manuals are easier to check.

Some sites suggest a “flame test” to check whether a toy is really silicone. We don’t recommend it: it can damage the toy and is a safety risk.

Cleaning by material (and why you should follow the manual)

Basic rule for every toy: clean it after each use with warm water and mild soap or a dedicated toy cleaner. We-Vibe recommends cleaning before and after every use (We-Vibe FAQ), LELO advises cleaning immediately after use (LELO), and the CDC lists washing sex toys with soap and water after each use as a prevention step (CDC).

Follow your own toy’s manual. LELO and We-Vibe give opposite advice on boiling and bleach (details below). Each brand’s advice is written for its own products, so don’t use one brand’s deep-clean method on another brand’s toy. If your manual doesn’t mention a method, stick to warm water and mild soap or a toy cleaner.

Where manufacturers disagree:

  • Boiling: LELO suggests boiling silicone, glass, or metal toys without motors for 5 minutes as a deep-clean method (LELO). We-Vibe says never to boil, bake, microwave, or put its products in a dishwasher, or to expose them to temperatures above body temperature (We-Vibe FAQ). Both brands agree on one point: don’t boil anything with a motor or battery.
  • Bleach: We-Vibe says a 10% bleach solution can be used on its products (We-Vibe FAQ). LELO advises against bleach and abrasive cleaners (LELO). When in doubt, use soap and water.
  • Water exposure: Only submerge toys rated waterproof (typically IPX7). LELO suggests wiping, not rinsing, toys without an IPX rating (LELO). Lovense rates Domi 2 IPX6 and calls it “water-resistant,” not waterproof, saying it “can handle heavy sprays of water” (Lovense).
  • Dry completely before storing. LELO notes that moisture can lead to bacterial growth and mildew (LELO).

Sharing toys safely

The NHS advises not sharing sex toys, and if you do, to “wash and cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them” (NHS). The CDC says most condoms are “highly effective in preventing HIV and certain other STIs during sex and when sharing sex toys” (CDC). LELO also recommends changing condoms between partners and between body areas (LELO). If you have concerns about STIs, a sexual health clinic or your healthcare provider can help. For couples, see Couples' sex toys for beginners: how to choose your first toy together.

A simple body-safe buying checklist

FAQ

What is the safest sex toy material?

Non-porous materials, meaning body-safe silicone, ABS plastic, stainless steel, and borosilicate glass, are generally considered the easiest to keep clean (LELO). Which one is “safest” for you also depends on allergies and sensitivities, so ask a healthcare provider if you’re unsure.

Is TPE body-safe?

Adam & Eve says TPE and TPR were “originally developed as phthalate-free versions of jelly” (Adam & Eve). TPE is also porous, so it’s harder to clean fully (LELO). Check the listing for a phthalate-free statement. If you use a TPE toy, avoid sharing it (or use a condom if you do), and clean it right after use.

Can I use silicone lube with a silicone toy?

Usually not. LELO advises against it because it can damage the silicone (LELO FAQ), and We-Vibe recommends only water-based lubricants (We-Vibe FAQ). Use water-based lube unless your toy’s manufacturer says otherwise.

What are phthalates and why do people avoid them?

Phthalates are chemicals that have been used to soften some plastics. Adam & Eve describes a “health scare” over them that pushed the industry away from jelly toys (Adam & Eve). Many brands now advertise phthalate-free products. We aren’t making specific health claims here. For medical questions, talk to a healthcare provider.

Can I boil my vibrator?

Not if it has a motor or battery. Even for non-motorized toys, follow the manufacturer: LELO suggests boiling some non-motorized toys, while We-Vibe says never to boil its products (LELO; We-Vibe FAQ).

How should I store toys made of different materials?

Make sure each toy is completely dry first. LELO notes that moisture can lead to bacterial growth and mildew (LELO), and Lovense says to make sure Domi 2 is completely dry before storing it (Lovense). Beyond that, follow your toy’s manual, and check glass toys for damage before each use.

Sources

All pages accessed 2026-10-08.

This content is general information, not medical advice. If you have a health condition, allergy (for example to latex or certain lubricants), pain or are pregnant, ask a healthcare professional.