Rather than drive you all crazy by repeating myself in every review, I’m hoping this basic guide to materials and what you want to know about them will be helpful. I may expand on this in the future but please remember these are the basics ONLY. I am also only including the materials I write about the most.

ABS/HARD PLASTIC
Health: Most hard plastics or ABS is phthalate-free, latex-free, non-porous, and hypoallergenic. However, there are some plastics out there that still have phthalates and are porous. Be sure to check the product information before purchasing sex toys to be sure you are purchasing a body-safe toy.

Cleaning: Non-porous plastic is also easy to clean. You simply use an antibacterial soap and warm water, your favorite sex toy cleaner, or rubbing alcohol.

Lubricant: Any

Storage: The easiest of materials to store, plastic toys can be stored in their original packaging, a toy pouch, a ziploc bag, or on their own in your toy box. Plastic does not react with other materials so it can sleep right up against any other toy. Be sure your plastic toys do not get scratched as this could create a location for bacteria to collect and grow.

ALUMINUM
Health: Aluminum is phthalate-free, latex-free, non-porous, and is not a common allergen. However, some people with metal allergies can be affected by aluminum.

Cleaning: Aluminum is very easy to clean and can be cleaned in a multitude of ways. You can use anitbacterial soap and warm water, sex toy cleaner, or a 10% bleach solution (9 parts water to 1 part bleach).

Lubricant: Any

Storage: Aluminum is very flexible when it comes to storage. It can be stored in its original packing, a toy pouch, a ziploc bag, or on its own in your toy box. It does not react with other materials so it’s safe to store with any of your toys. Though it’s fairly strong, it can dent or scratch so keep this in mind.

GLASS
Health: Glass is phthalate-free, latex-free, non-porous, and hypoallergenic.

Cleaning: There are numerous ways you can clean glass. You can use anitbacterial soap and warm water, toy cleaner, or a 10% bleach solution (9 parts water to 1 part bleach). Some people even use rubbing alcohol because they dislike the smell of bleach.

Lubricant: Any

Storage: Hopefully your glass sex toys come in cushioned boxes or padded pouches, but if they don’t it’s important to provide appropriate storage for them. Many stores that sell glass toys also sell padded pouches. If you’re short a padded pouch, be sure to wrap your glass sex toy in something that will provide cushioning while it’s in storage. You may even want to use bubble wrap.

PVC
Health: PVC or polyvinyl chloride is a very common type of plastic used in everything from plumbing pipes to fetish clothing. Additives, called Plasticizers, are used to soften these plastics, most commonly in the form of phthalates. As phthalates leech out of the plastic, there is significant concern as to whether or not they create a health risk. PVC is porous and can harbor bacteria so it is best to use these toys with condoms.

Cleaning: PVC can be cleaned with antibacterial soap and warm water, as well as sex toy cleaners. PVC cannot be sterilized like other materials and is therefore not safe to share between partners.

Lubricant: Water-based or silicone-based.

Storage: It is best to store PVC products in a way that keeps them from touching other toys. After cleaning and drying thoroughly, simply use a ziploc bag to keep them separate.

SILICONE
Health: Silicone is phthalate-free, latex-free, non-porous, and hypoallergenic.

Cleaning: Like glass, silicone can be cleaned with antibacterial soap and warm water, a 10% bleach solution, or your favorite toy cleaner. Silicone toys that do not have motors can be washed in the top drawer of your dishwasher with no soap or boiled in water for 3-5 minutes for sterilization.

Lubricant: Water-based ONLY. Many people love their silicone-based lubricants. However, the silicone in silicone-based lubes can chemically react with silicone sex toys and cause the surface of the toy to become sticky and tacky or even melt. Once this damage has been done, it cannot be undone. So if you must have your silicone-based lubricant, put a condom on your toy first.

Storage: Silicone toys should not touch In storage for the same reason. Store your sex toys in their original packaging when appropriate. Silk pouches are a great alternative for silicone toys. They breathe, are lint free, keep the toys from touching, and keep the dust out. Many sex toy stores sell silk pouches. Also consider craft stores and party stores for good prices on these pouches. In a pinch, use a ziploc bag to store your silicone sex toy. Just be sure it is completely dry before you lock it away as ziploc bags do not breathe.

TPR
Health: TPR, or thermoplastic rubber is soft, lightweight, pliable, and rubbery. It is also non-toxic, phthalate-free, and hypoallergenic. TPR is more porous than silicone and hard plastic, so don’t share TPR sex toys between partners or mix vaginal and anal play without using a condom.

Cleaning: TPR can easily be cleaned with soap and water or your favorite toy cleaner, but it cannot be sterilized so use with a condom when sharing between partners or going from anal to vaginal use.

Lubricant: TPR usually has a good amount of drag so use water-based or silicone-based lubricant.

Storage: TPR tends to attract dust and lint so it’s best to store these toys in their original packaging, or storage bags, whether they be silk, cotton, or plastic. Keep in mind plastic bags do not breathe so be sure your toys are completely dry before storing.