Silicone sex toys are the ones most sexual health educators point to first, and for good reason. The material is non-porous, soft or firm as you like, and lasts for years with simple care. This guide explains what makes the material body safe, how it compares with jelly, TPE, glass and steel, how to tell the genuine article from a lookalike, which lube to use, and how to clean, store and share one safely.
In this guide
- What the material is
- Why it is body safe
- Silicone vs other materials
- Types you can buy
- How to spot the real thing
- How to choose one
- Lube and silicone
- Cleaning, storage and sharing
- How long they last
- What we stock
- FAQ
What are silicone sex toys?
These products are made from cured silicone rubber, a stable synthetic material that holds its shape and does not soak up fluids. You will find it in vibrators, dildos, butt plugs, cock rings and kegel balls.
The appeal is simple. It can be moulded soft and squishy or firm and dense. It feels smooth, warms quickly against skin, and has a slight grip that many people prefer to hard plastic.
The catch is that the word "silicone" is easy to print on a box. Cheap products sometimes blend in other plastics, or use the word loosely. Knowing how to read a listing matters as much as knowing the material.
Why are silicone sex toys considered body safe?
They count as body safe because the pure material is non-porous. Germs stay on the surface, where washing can reach them, instead of settling into tiny pores.
A guide published by the Canadian Public Health Association says this material's "surface is non-porous and hypo-allergenic (won't irritate skin), and so no bacteria or viruses will be trapped in them." Brown University's BWell health promotion team also lists it with glass, stainless steel and hard plastic as non-porous materials.
Research backs this up. A 2014 study in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections compared two vibrators, one in this material and one made of TPE, a soft porous plastic. After cleaning, HPV was still found on 2 of 5 swabs from the TPE model 24 hours later. On the other, none was found at 24 hours.
That difference is the whole case for the material. Something you can truly get clean is something you can use with confidence for years.
How does it compare with other materials?
It belongs to the non-porous group with glass, stainless steel and hard ABS plastic. Jelly, PVC, TPE and rubber are porous and need more caution.
| Material | Porous? | Feel | Boil it? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone | No | Soft to firm, smooth, warms fast | Yes, if no motor | Almost any toy |
| Glass | No | Rigid, slick, holds heat or cold | Follow the maker | Firm pressure, temperature play |
| Stainless steel | No | Heavy, rigid | Follow the maker | Weight and durability |
| ABS plastic | No | Hard, smooth | No | Bullets and handles |
| TPE or TPR | Yes | Very soft, skin-like | No | Strokers, used with care |
| Jelly or PVC | Yes | Soft, often sticky | No | Best avoided, or used with a condom |
Jelly deserves its bad name. When the Danish Environmental Protection Agency tested adult products in 2006, it reported that jelly "turned out to be plasticized vinyl (PVC)" with plasticizer content that "may be very high up to 70%." The Canadian Public Health Association guide adds that "it is impossible to keep jelly toys perfectly clean, so you really should use a condom on them."
Our rule of thumb: if it goes inside your body, choose silicone, glass or steel; save soft plastics for items you can cover or replace often. Our body-safe materials guide covers every material in more depth.
What kinds of silicone sex toys are there?
Most categories now come in this material. Each one uses it a little differently.
- Vibrators. Silicone usually coats a hard inner shell that holds the motor. It gives a soft surface without dulling the vibration.
- Dildos. A solid build can be firm or flexible, and one with no motor can be boiled. Our silicone dildo guide covers sizes and shapes.
- Butt plugs. The material suits anal play well, because it is smooth and easy to clean. Always choose a flared base.
- Cock rings. Stretchy rings are easier to put on and take off than rigid metal ones.
- Kegel balls. Weighted balls often have a soft outer skin with a retrieval loop.
- Strokers and sleeves. These are the exception. Most use TPE or soft elastomer blends, because silicone is firmer than many people want for a sleeve.
How can you tell if a sex toy is really silicone?
You cannot tell by looking at a photo. The listing and the toy in your hand give the real clues.
- A specific material line. Look for "100% silicone" stated as the material, ideally with "phthalate-free." Phrases like "silky touch" or "skin feel" are not the same claim.
- A known maker. Established brands publish their materials and care rules. Anonymous listings on open marketplaces often do not.
- No chemical smell. The genuine material has little or no odour out of the box. A sharp plastic smell points to something softer and cheaper.
- A dry, smooth surface. The real thing does not feel oily or tacky, and it does not leave residue on your fingers.
- Care instructions that match. A maker who says a motor-free item can be boiled is signalling a solid, single-material build.
Some people suggest burning a corner to test it. We do not recommend that. It damages the product, can release fumes, and cheap blends may still pass.
Labels such as "medical-grade," "food-grade" or "platinum-cured" appear on many boxes. They can be a good sign from a reputable brand, but they are claims, not proof. Trust the maker and the full listing over any single phrase.
How do you choose the right one?
Settle the material, then choose by shape, firmness and how you plan to clean it. These six questions cover most decisions.
- Inside or outside? Insertable designs need a smooth body, and anything anal needs a flared base.
- Soft or firm? A softer build forgives angles; a firmer one gives clearer pressure and lasts longer in a harness.
- Motor or no motor? Plain pieces can be boiled; motorized ones need surface cleaning within their water rating.
- Seams and texture? One smooth piece is easiest to clean. Deep ridges and seams trap lube and need more care.
- Does it come apart? Removable shells or caps add places for moisture to hide.
- Who makes it? Pick brands that name the material and publish care steps.
A simple, well-made piece beats a complicated one in a mystery material, whatever the price.
What lube is safe for silicone sex toys?
Water-based lube is the safe choice here. It works with every material and every condom, and it rinses off easily.
Silicone lube is the one to keep away from them. The Canadian Public Health Association guide says to "never use silicone lube on silicone toys," and Brown University notes that "silicone lubes break down silicone toys after awhile." The surface can turn tacky or rough, which makes it harder to clean.
If you love silicone lube for its long-lasting glide, save it for glass and steel, or for sex without accessories. Our silicone vs water-based lube guide compares the two in detail.
How do you clean, store and share them?
Wash it after every use with warm water and mild, unscented soap or a dedicated cleaner, then let it dry completely. That routine is enough for most pieces.
- No motor: the Canadian Public Health Association guide says they "can also be boiled in water or washed in the dishwasher, as long as the toys don't have any mechanical parts."
- With a motor: never boil it. The University of British Columbia's sexual health shop cleaning guide warns, "Be careful of any water entering electrical areas." Wash only as far as the water rating allows.
- Storage: Brown University advises keeping them "in a container or pouch (to keep them clean) and in a cool, dry place." Keep each piece apart from the others and from soft plastics.
- Sharing: even non-porous surfaces can carry germs from one person to the next. The UBC guide says to "use a new condom or dental dam when switching toys between partners."
Washing between anal and vaginal use matters too, or use a fresh condom for each. Our sex toy cleaning guide covers every material step by step.
How long do silicone sex toys last?
A well-made piece can last for years, often far longer than one in jelly or TPE. In motorized designs, keep an eye on the battery and charging port too.
Replace it when the surface cracks, tears, turns sticky or holds a smell after washing. Those are signs the material is breaking down and can no longer be cleaned properly. Three habits help most: water-based lube only, full drying after every wash, and separate storage.
What we stock, if you want to buy from us
Everything above applies wherever you shop. If you would like a starting point from Red Pleasures, each item below is listed as silicone on its product page and was in stock at the live price shown when we checked on 11 November 2026.
| Product | Type | Price (CAD) | Motor? | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Je Joue Silicone Cock Ring Trio | Set of three rings | $19.15 | No | $19.15In stock |
| NS Novelties 5-Inch Firm Silicone Dildo | Dildo with suction base | $29.71 | No | $29.71In stock |
| b-Vibe Bounce Beaded Silicone Anal Plug | Beaded anal plug | $42.00 | No | $42.00In stock |
| Je Joue Ami 3-Step Silicone Kegel Ball Set | Kegel ball set | $71.14 | No | $71.14In stock |
| Je Joue Classic Rechargeable Bullet Vibrator | Bullet vibrator | $78.38 | Yes | $78.38In stock |
Our picks, with today's prices
Free standard shipping on orders $150+ CAD · Discreet packaging
For cleaning, the Pjur Toy Clean spray ($21.99) is labelled for silicone and latex. You can also browse our staff picks collection. Red Pleasures is an Ottawa-based online store with discreet shipping across Canada and the USA.
All sales are final, but if an item arrives damaged, faulty, incomplete or not what you ordered, message us within 14 days of delivery by email or WhatsApp and you choose a replacement or a full refund. See our refund policy for details.
FAQ
Are silicone sex toys safe?
Yes, when the material is genuine. The pure form is non-porous, so washing reaches the whole surface. Choose a listing that names the material and says phthalate-free, and buy from a known brand.
Is silicone better than TPE?
For hygiene, yes. TPE is porous, and a 2014 study found HPV on a TPE vibrator 24 hours after cleaning but not on a silicone one. TPE feels softer, so it suits strokers if you clean it carefully.
Can you use silicone lube on silicone toys?
It is best not to. That kind of lube can break down the surface over time. Use a water-based lube, and save silicone lube for glass or steel.
Can you boil silicone toys?
Only if there is no motor, battery or other mechanical part. Anything with electronics should be washed with warm water and mild soap, within the maker's water rating.
Can silicone toys touch in storage?
It is safest to keep them apart. Store each one in its own pouch or box, in a cool, dry place, away from soft plastics.
Do you need a condom on a shared silicone toy?
When you share it, yes. Put a new condom on it for each person, or wash it well between partners and between anal and vaginal use.
When should you replace a silicone toy?
Replace it if the surface cracks, tears, turns sticky or keeps a smell after washing. Those changes mean it can no longer be cleaned properly.
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