Materials, Safety & Care Hub

Understanding Body-Safe Intimacy Materials

When selecting intimate products, material safety is the most critical factor. What you put in or on your body matters. Intimate toys generally fall into two categories: non-porous (fully hygienic) and porous (difficult to sanitize).

Recommended Non-Porous Materials

• Medical-Grade Silicone: The industry gold standard. It is completely non-porous, hypoallergenic, odorless, and phthalate-free. It quickly warms to body temperature and offers a soft, flexible feel. Silicone is extremely durable and easy to sanitize.
• Borosilicate Glass: Completely hypoallergenic, non-porous, and chemical-free. Glass toys can be heated or cooled for temperature play and are compatible with all lubricants. They are rigid, easy to clean (even dishwasher safe), and virtually indestructible under normal use.
• Stainless Steel: The ultimate in hygiene and durability. Like glass, stainless steel is non-porous, hypoallergenic, can be temperature-controlled, and is compatible with all lubricants. It has a satisfying weight and a very smooth surface.
• ABS Plastic: A hard, non-porous plastic commonly used for casings, bullets, and handles. It is body-safe, lightweight, highly durable, and transfers vibration frequencies very efficiently.

Porous Materials to Avoid or Use with Care

• TPE / TPR (Thermoplastic Elastomer/Rubber): Often used for realistic masturbators and strokers due to its lifelike texture. While soft and flexible, TPE is slightly porous. It requires diligent cleaning, thorough drying, and renewing powder to prevent bacteria buildup.
• Jelly, PVC, and Vinyl: Frequently found in low-cost toys. These materials are highly porous and often contain plasticizers (like phthalates) to make them flexible, which can leach out. They are difficult to sanitize and can harbor bacteria over time. HerEmpire does not carry toys containing harmful phthalates.

The Ultimate Toy Cleaning & Care Guide

Proper hygiene prevents the transfer of bacteria and extends the lifetime of your intimate investments.

Standard Cleaning Routine

1. Wash Immediately: Clean your toy immediately after use before fluids can dry.
2. Use Warm Water and Soap/Cleaner: Rinsing with warm water is key. If the toy is waterproof, you can submerge it. If it is only splashproof or battery-operated, use a damp cloth to clean the surface, keeping water away from battery compartments and charging ports.
3. Antibacterial Toy Cleaner: Apply a specialized antibacterial, alcohol-free toy cleaner. Let it sit for the recommended time (usually 30–60 seconds), then rinse thoroughly. Specialized cleaners are formulated not to degrade silicone or TPE.
4. Mild Unscented Soap Alternative: If specialized cleaner is unavailable, use a mild, unscented, antibacterial hand soap. Avoid dish soaps, harsh detergents, or alcohol-based sanitizers, which will permanently damage silicone and TPE.
5. Air Dry & Store: Pat dry with a lint-free microfibre towel or let the toy air-dry completely. Do not use paper towels or tissues, which leave behind lint.

Lubricant Compatibility Rules

Using the wrong lubricant can ruin your pleasure device permanently.

• Water-Based Lubricant: Universally compatible and safe for all toy materials (silicone, TPE, glass, metal, plastic) and latex condoms. It is easy to wash out of fabrics and clean off toys.
• Silicone-Based Lubricant: Extremely long-lasting and water-resistant. However, never use silicone lubricant with silicone toys. The silicone in the lube will chemically bond with and dissolve the silicone of the toy, making it sticky, degraded, and ruined. Silicone lube is safe for glass, metal, and plastic toys.
• Oil-Based Lubricant (and Natural Oils): Safe for glass and metal toys, but can degrade latex condoms and dissolve certain porous toy materials. They can also be difficult to wash out and clean off surfaces.

Storage & Discretion Tips

Keep your toys safe, clean, and private.

• Store Separately: Silicone toys should never touch other silicone toys or toys made of different plastics during storage. They can chemically react, causing them to melt, discolor, or degrade. Store each toy in its own breathable bag.
• Breathable Bags: Use soft cotton, satin, or microfibre storage bags. Avoid airtight plastic containers or Ziploc bags, which trap moisture and promote bacterial growth.
• Cool, Dry Place: Keep your storage box or bags in a cool, dark, dry drawer or closet. Avoid extreme heat, direct sunlight, and damp bathrooms.
• Travel Locks: If your toy has a travel lock feature, activate it before storing to prevent it from turning on accidentally.