Silicone Toy Care

Why Silicone Rubber?

Platinum (addition) cure silicone is an extremely durable and flexible, man-made, elastomer type polymer that has properties similar to other rubbers. However unlike rubbers such as latex TPE, TPR, and "jelly" rubbers, when it is properly cured, platinum silicone:
  1. is non-porous (it can't trap bacteria beyond a surface level)
  2. can withstand temperatures of up to 200 C (you can boil it to sanitize it) 
  3. is non-toxic and never off-gasses VOCs (unlike rubbers that rely on softeners like phthalates to make them pliable)
  4. is not only hypoallergenic, but it is classified as "inert" when fully cured (it is extremely unlikely to react with your body)
  5. is very difficult to tear or break

What Silicone do we use?

Our toys have been poured with following products from Smooth-On: DragonSkin 10A, Ecoflex 0050, Ecoflex 0030, and most recently, Ecoflex Near Clear 0045 and Ecoflex Near Clear 0031. These particular lines are certified to be skin safe*.
*All platinum cured silicone is technically body safe and inert when cured properly. However, products that are rated as skin-safe or food-safe do have an extra level of certification proving their safety for use with human bodies.

 

How should I clean my Silicone Toys?

All of the toys we make and sell are made with 100% platinum (additive) silicone. Before you use any of our toys, we recommend you wash them thoroughly with unscented soap and water. We also recommend boiling your 100% silicone* toys to further sanitize them**. Fill a pot large enough to hold the toys you want to clean with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Carefully place the toys in the water*** and leave them in there for at least five minutes (preferably 8-10). Remove the toys when done, and let them cool before handling. Sanitizing is especially important if you are sharing toys with other partners, using them for anal play, etc. If your dishwasher has a sanitize function, you can also put your toys on the top rack and run it without detergent. Alternatively, spraying or wiping your toy with isopropyl alcohol can help to kill some germs. 
*Pure, platinum cure silicone can withstand temperatures of up to 200 C. Make sure all of your toys are pure silicone before boiling them. **There is some evidence that softer silicone can lose some elasticity and start to discolor after frequent boiling. This seems to be especially true of Ecoflex Near Clear. ***Be sure to remove any vibrator inserts before boiling.
Note: Sometimes silicone toys can start to retain odors, especially when used for anal play. Don't be alarmed! This doesn't mean that your toy is degrading or isn't real silicone. This is just sometimes the nature of silicone. You can minimize this by thoroughly cleaning and boiling your toys after anal play. If your toys do start to retain noticeable odors, you can soak them in a vinegar solution, or rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol. Just be sure to wash them very, very, very well before using them again. 

Should I use antibacterial toy cleaners?

Our recommendation is no. The United States' Food and Drug Administration banned 19 antibacterial chemicals from use in consumer products. The main targets of this ban were products that contain triclosan or triclocarban. While they have largely been removed from products in the US, they may still be present in other parts of the world. These chemicals have been found to be "environmentally persistent endocrine disruptors that bioaccumulate in and are toxic to aquatic and other organisms", as well as having carcinogenic properties. Regular use of any antibacterial products can create strains of microbes that are antibiotic resistant, as well as modify the natural microbiome.

Isopropyl alcohol with a concentration of 70% can be an effective alternative to chemical-based antibacterial sprays. (90% concentrations may evaporate too quickly to be effective) There are some essential oil and plant-based antibacterial products on the market, but we cannot speak to their overall effectiveness. 

What kind of lubricant should I use?

Use a good quality, water-based lube (that is free from parabens and glycerin) with silicone toys. Because of its natural, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, organic coconut oil is an OK lube, too. Be aware however, that natural oils will degrade any condoms or other rubber items that come in contact with it. We do not recommend the use of any oils other than coconut for use as a lubricant. Silicone lubricants may permanently ruin the surface of your toy, by bonding to it and making it sticky.

How should I store my toy?

We recommend storing them in a lint-free cloth after each use and cleaning to keep them tidy and safe. Contrary to popular lore, you can store your silicone toys touching other silicone toys however, do this only if you are 100% certain the other toys are made from only platinum silicone as well. Storing silicone toys next to materials like rubbers and plastics that aren't platinum silicone can cause your toy to deform and discolor.