Last Updated on February 25, 2025 by Kelly
There has been much controversy over using PVC as a dildo material. If you’ve read my posts long enough, you know that I value toys made from body-safe materials.
If a toy is made from materials other than silicone, glass, or other non-porous materials, I’ll let you know.
However, PVC is controversial because some PVC toys claim they are free from toxic materials.
But some sex toy enthusiasts disagree. I’m here to get to the bottom of it. That said, always buy toys made from silicone if possible.
However, I understand that sometimes this is not an option.
Unfortunately, some cool dildos are only made of PVC, which is a shame.
That’s why it’s important to know what you’re getting into before you purchase.
Contents
What is a PVC Dildo?
A PVC dildo is a dildo whose primary material is PVC. PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride. This low-cost material is found in insulation, pipes, and more.
PVC toys may also go by “jelly rubber” or “soft jelly.” PVC is commonly used in sex toys for a few reasons.
First, PVC is cheap to make.
Also, PVC can make soft, translucent toys. Have you ever seen a dildo that’s purplish and see-through? And maybe sticky to the touch? Then it’s probably made from PVC!
Are PVC Dildos Safe?
Now, here comes the controversy. In recent years, PVC dildos have been criticized for being unsafe.
When you put something inside your body, especially your most delicate regions, it’s better not to be made from dangerous chemicals!
The controversies surrounding PVC involve two things: its porousness and the chemicals it contains.
Let me explain these and give my thoughts.
Porousness
Dildos are going to be inserted in your vagina, your ass, or your mouth, which are all places that can harbor bacteria.
Even putting the dildo on the floor may be unsanitary for a toy. Silicone dildos and other non-porous materials do not absorb bacteria.
In other words, you just need to spritz it with some antibacterial toy cleaner and it’s as clean as a whistle! Or, wipe it down with mild soap and warm water.
However, porous materials absorb bacteria, and removing all of it can be much more difficult.
Even if you dunk the toy in sanitizer and have a priest bless it, it will likely still be contaminated.
Phthalates
These chemicals are added to the PVC to make it softer and more durable.
While they can give the toy a bend, they are controversial because they have been linked to many health problems. Lovely!
I will discuss them in more detail later, but you don’t need to be a chemist to know if they’re bad news.
The Verdict
So the question is, are PVC toys safe? These toys aren’t very regulated, as they’re considered “novelty items.”
You know, the government is afraid of sex and all of that. We do know that PVC toys made from Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) are porous.
With some other PVC toys, there may be non-porous versions out there, but I’m a little skeptical.
Many PVC toys also claim to be phthalate-free. This material has evidence that it’s not good for you.
However, what are they putting into the PVC toys to give them that texture instead? It depends on the brand, but many of these materials have not been tested.
You should also be wary of toys that claim they’re “Safe.” Safe may mean it’s safe to handle but not to put into your body.
You should also remember that PVC dildos have not existed for much of human history.
I Googled when they were invented, and its AI response said sometime after the 1970s. And who am I to doubt my AI overlords?
All jokes aside, if that is true, then it’s been only a few decades. You may think 40 years is enough time, but these are the long-term effects we’re talking about.
How Do You Know If Your Dildo is PVC?
The best way to know is by looking at the product description page or what’s on the box. If it says “PVC” in the materials section, there you go.
However, as mentioned, PVC also goes by “soft plastic” and “jelly rubber.”
What if the material is unfamiliar to you? It would be best to do a little research before buying.
A dildo isn’t an art piece you’re going to hang on your wall. It’s something you’re putting inside of you.
It makes sense to spend a little time researching what’s going inside you so you don’t pay for it later!
Is there any way you can tell if a dildo is PVC? PVC dildos feel stickier and more jelly-like than silicone.
If you’re tossing out old dildos, I recommend just throwing out any toy that you believe to be PVC.
What Are the Health Risks Associated With PVC Dildos?
If a PVC toy is porous, it can harbor bacteria, which can create an infection. Ew. But the real risk comes with those phthalates. This material is linked to many things, including:
- Hormone disruption.
- Reproductive issues, including low sperm count.
- Possible health effects for the babies of pregnant individuals. These include premature births, learning disabilities, genital malformations, and premature puberty.
- Cancer.
- Your Toaster Strudel always being hot on the outside and cold on the inside.
- Legos appear below your bare feet.
- Your download speeds never go above 1MBPS.
Okay, I made up the last three, but they might as well be effects. Who designed this chemical? Satan?
To make matters worse, these are found in several products you may own, but that is a different article.
Primarily, you should be concerned if it’s going into your body, and phthalate toys are doing just that!
It can be challenging to explain the effects, as they will not happen instantly. However, repeated use of a PVC toy, especially one that has not been adequately protected, can have dire consequences.
That’s why you should always avoid toys made from phthalates.
You should also always buy from trusted vendors and avoid sellers who have not proven that their toys are made from safe materials.
How to Clean a PVC Toy Properly
If a PVC dildo is non-porous (again, I am skeptical of this), you can use mild soap and warm water. You can also use an antibacterial toy cleaner, put it in the dishwasher, or boil it.
That said, porous toys tend to be nigh impossible to clean. While the surface can be cleaned, the issue comes with them absorbing bacteria.
Once it’s inside, it’s impossible to kill the bacteria apart from throwing it into the fires of Mount Doom. And even then, I’m unsure if it would finish the job.
If you have to use a PVC toy, prevention is key. Use a condom so that any bacteria stays on the condom, not on the toy.
But that’s such a hassle. I shouldn’t have to worry about disease when I’m using a toy! That’s why I would just go with a silicone toy instead.
What Are Some Safer Alternatives?
Safer alternatives are body-safe, non-porous materials. Silicone, glass, metal, and other materials are time-tested and easy to clean.
Any toy that comes from a reputable manufacturer or site can also be deemed safe.
As mentioned, there are “body-safe” PVC toys out there, but I don’t trust them.
Remember, many toy manufacturers are trying to make a quick buck, and they may not care about the materials that go into your body.
The safest alternative to PVC is anything that doesn’t contain PVC.
What About Phtalate-Free PVC Dildos?
In recent years, much effort has been made to remove phthalates from dildos, and we can all agree that this is a good thing.
As I said, the jury is still out on whether the materials used are any better. For example, one substitute people use is DOTP.
However, studies are still out on this material, and there may be some evidence that it, too, can disrupt the endocrine system. Can’t we have anything that doesn’t have a possible side effect?
Also, I just don’t trust some of the sketchier sellers.
They can claim that the toy is free from phthalates, but how can I know for sure? I don’t have a lab where I can break down every material. And once again, this industry is unregulated.
So yes, phthalate-free PVC dildos are better, but it’s a lesser of two evils situation, in my opinion.
And it’s not a situation where there aren’t viable other options. I would just go with silicone, glass, metal, or anything but PVC.
Beware of Cyberskin and Fanta Flesh!
So, what are these? Cyberskin sounds like the material the Terminator’s skin would be made from, and Fanta Flesh sounds like a zombie that craves Fanta, not brains.
There are other names for this as well, such as UltraSkyn, RealSkin, and many others.
Simply put, these are brand names for materials that resemble real human skin.
For example, Doc Johnson toys. These dildos can look close to the real thing, but they are often very porous and come from PVC and possibly phthalates.
In other words, don’t let the realistic textures fool you! Just like a real dick, you should before you test it.
Or, like a bad date, just avoid it altogether. Also, note that this brand can go by other names, so when in doubt, do some research.
Plus, there are silicone dildos that also look like the real thing.
That’s the thing; if silicone can do it just as well, why choose PVC? I get some people prefer the texture, but it’s just not worth the price.
Conclusion
Yeah, I don’t trust PVC. PVC can lead to serious health effects, especially if it’s made from phthalates.
But even phthalate-free dildos may have alternative materials that aren’t too much better.
Some PVC is apparently less porous, but why risk it? Your body is like a well-guarded town, and PVC toys can be like a Trojan horse.
I threw out any dildo that contained PVC a while ago. I can’t tell you how to live your life, and it’s a free market.
However, I do think you should be more informed, especially with what you purchase.
Body-safe silicone isn’t that much more expensive than PVC. If we all vote with our wallets, we can make it a safer environment for everyone.
