Most sex toys are made with one of the materials listed below. Each substance
has it's own unique properties and benefits, along with it's own cleaning/maintenance
requirements. Use this guide to learn about and get the most from your
sex toys, as well as to help them last a long time.
| MATERIAL |
THE FEEL |
HYGIENE |
OTHER PROPERTIES |
DURABILITY |
PRICE |
ESS RATING |
| Silicone |
Smooth, soft, flexible, jiggles. Silicone resembles real skin. It
even retains body heat for a lifelike feel. When you run your hand
on silicone you feel no blemishes. With your eyes closed, you may
forget it's not real skin. |
Silicone is smooth and not porous. This allows you to sterilize silicone-you
can even put it in the dishwasher or boiling water, assuming the toy is
completely waterproof. Or wash it with soap and hot water or some toy
cleaner. |
Silicone is hypo-allergenic-few people are allergic to this material. |
Very sturdy and durable. Toys made with silicone tend to last a
long time. |
One of the more expensive materials, but well worth it. |
***** |
| Glass |
All the glass objects Sex Fifth Avenue carries are made by E-GLASS.
They are made from medical grade borosilicate glass ("hard glass")
of which Pyrex is a brand-essentially "lead-free crystal." It
is smooth and totally rigid. You can change the temperature of glass to
your preference. Some people like it cool or even cold for an almost shocking
sensation. Others like to put it under warm water and get it more body temperature.
|
E-GLASS
will withstand extreme temperatures as well as physical shock without compromise
to it's structural integrity. You can disinfect it in boiling water or wash
it in the dishwasher. |
E-GLASS
is completely non-toxic. |
E-GLASS
products are very sturdy; however, if hit on a hard surface with enough
force they will break. Glass objects will last forever if handled properly.
They can be scratched though. |
A little more expensive due to special hand processing. |
***** |
| Cyberskin |
CyberskinTM
will amaze you. It feels like the skin on a human body. Very realistic.
Technically, it is called thermal plastic. While extremely flexible, it
has "memory" so it can revert back to it's original form. |
CyberskinTM
is extremely porous, making it difficult to clean and easy for germs and
dirt to hide. (Don't share without a condom) It is extremely sensitive and
should be cleaned following every use with warm water and stored in a clean
dry place. (It's very important to follow the manufacturer's instructions
on these products.) |
CyberskinTM
is designed to be used with it's special talc powder to ensure it's lifelike
texture. It also has a specially formulated lubricant to work with it's
unique feel. |
CyberskinTM
takes a bit of maintenance but it is well worth it. |
Moderately expensive. |
***** |
| Jelly |
Jelly
toys feel good and they're very flexible, but they fall short of silicone.
Jelly just doesn't have the feel of skin. It is not as smooth as silicone.
You'll enjoy jelly
toys most when adding a water-based lubricant. |
Jelly material can't be sterilized like silicone-so no boiling water.
You shouldn't use soap either as the chemicals in soap can break down the
material. Just use warm water or one of our toy
cleaners. Since jelly toys can't be sanitized they can't be shared-unless
you put a condom over them. |
You can buy them scented, as jelly's normal scent is slightly rubbery. |
Jelly holds up well, but doesn't last nearly as long as silicone. |
About half the cost of silicone based toys. |
**** |
| Plastic |
We are all familiar with hard plastic. It does not bend and it's cold.
That said, there are many people that like the feel of a smooth, cool, rigid
plastic vibrator
especially for insertion into the vagina. Also, you can really feel the
intensity of the vibration with a plastic encased vibrator-no soft silicone,
jelly or rubber to absorb the pulsing of the vibe. |
Plastic toys are easy to clean using some toy
cleaner or soap and hot water, (note: don't submerge any battery operated
toy unless it states it is waterproof). However, plastic does not hold up
in boiling water, like in the dishwasher. |
It is rare that someone would be allergic to plastic. |
If handled properly, plastic lasts a long time. However, plastic
can crack or break if thrown or stepped on. |
Very inexpensive. |
*** |
| Rubber |
Latex rubber is the most common material used in sex
toys. While rubber toys are bendable and somewhat soft, you won't confuse
it with the more "real" feel of jelly or silicone. It's much firmer. |
Being very porous, latex does not clean well. Therefore we suggest using
a good toy
cleaner to help it last longer and by using a condom over it each use. |
Some people are allergic to latex. |
Latex rubber won't last nearly as long as either jelly or rubber. |
Very inexpensive. |
** |
* NOTE: It is very important to understand that improperly cleaned or
uncleaned sex toys can potentially pass on Sexually Transmitted Diseases
or you can re-infect yourself with a yeast infection or other vaginal
disorder. Before And After Toy Cleaner is an anti-bacterial cleaner.
** NOTE: No battery powered or plug in sex toy can be submerged in water
unless it says it is WATERPROOF. Obviously, never use any electric toy
in the shower or bath as it will cause electric shock, just like any other
electrical appliance.
