Glossary
Porous material
Why the material of a sex toy matters: porous toys hold bacteria, while silicone, glass, and steel really can be cleaned.
What is porous material?
Porous material is material with microscopically small holes, which sex toys can be made of and in which bacteria can settle. Porous toys are hard to get truly clean. Materials without pores, like medical-grade silicone, glass, and stainless steel, are safer, because you can clean them thoroughly and even sterilize them.
| What it is | material with small pores where bacteria can build up |
| Porous, so watch out | jelly, PVC, and soft plastics like TPE or TPR |
| Non-porous, safer | medical-grade silicone, glass, stainless steel |
| Category | a point of attention within safer sex |
| Risk | bacteria that don’t go away, and sometimes plasticizers (phthalates) |
| What helps | choose non-porous, or put a condom over a porous toy |
Why porous material is a risk
The problem is in the holes you can’t see. Wikipedia explains that porous sex toys are hard to clean and can hide bacteria that multiply and can harm the body, while non-porous toys are easier to clean and so lower-risk. With soft, cheap toys something else plays in too: they often contain plasticizers to make the material flexible. A 2006 study by Greenpeace Netherlands found high levels of phthalates, chemical plasticizers that can leach out of the material, in seven of the eight plastic sex toys tested.
Which material is the better choice
The safe choice is non-porous. Medical-grade silicone, glass, and stainless steel have no pores, let no bacteria in, and clean up well; borosilicate glass you can even sterilize to prevent infection on reuse. If you want or already have a porous toy, put a condom over it, don’t share it without one, and replace it when it gets sticky or starts to smell. Those are signs the material is breaking down. When buying, watch the description too: “body-safe” or “medical-grade silicone” says more than a low price. Cheap, strongly scented, or shiny-sticky toys are often the porous kind. A small price difference up front saves a lot of hassle with cleaning and peace of mind afterward. And keep in mind: a toy you use on the skin and inside the body deserves as much attention to its material as what you eat or rub on your skin.
Where this fits on this site
The material of a toy is a tool, not a service I provide, but the thinking behind it, that hygiene and safety should be a given, is exactly how I work. How a meeting is built up, you can read at intimate togetherness.
Sources
- Sex toy. Wikipedia. Provides that porous sex toys are hard to clean and can hide bacteria that multiply, that non-porous toys are easier to clean, that borosilicate glass can be sterilized, and that a 2006 study by Greenpeace Netherlands found high levels of phthalates in seven of the eight plastic toys.
Related terms
Porous material is a point of attention in safe toy use. The terms below place it in that frame.
- Safer sex. Everything that lowers the chance of an STI or infection, safe material included.
- Condom. The simplest way to still use a porous or shared toy safely.
- Dildo. A toy where the material, porous or not, makes a big difference for hygiene.
- Vibrator. Here too, the material decides how well you can clean it.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about porous material
What is porous material in sex toys?
Porous material has microscopically small holes where bacteria can settle, and it’s hard to get truly clean. Jelly, PVC, and soft plastics like TPE are porous. Medical-grade silicone, glass, and stainless steel are non-porous and so safer.
Which material is safest for a sex toy?
Non-porous materials: medical-grade silicone, glass, and stainless steel. They let no bacteria in and clean up well; borosilicate glass you can even sterilize. If you do have a porous toy, put a condom over it and don’t share it without one.
Who can you turn to with questions about porous material?
Victor, a gigolo with twenty-five years of experience and a background as a psychotherapist. Hygiene and safety are a given for him, so he’s glad to think along about safe toy use. You can reach him through the contact form or first chat for free, no obligation.
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Still have questions about porous material?
I'm Victor, a gigolo with a background as a psychotherapist. That hygiene and safety should be a given fits exactly with how I work. Curious how a meeting goes? Send me a message and I'll text you back whenever it suits you.