Rubber is a common material used to make sex toys, including vibrators and dildos. Rubber is soft to the touch but not as pliable as some other popular sex toy materials, including silicone and the rubber-PVC blend known as jelly. Because rubber is affordable, rubber sex toys are inexpensive to manufacture and economical for consumers. Rubber is a porous material, however, so rubber sex toys must be cleaned thoroughly after use.
Simple rubber contains latex, so sex toys made from this material can irritate people with allergies. Sex toys made from thermoplastic rubber, which is a polymer rubber blend, are a hypoallergenic, non-toxic alternative for people with a latex sensitivity.
Rubber sex toys have a relatively short shelf life, but proper maintenance and storage can maximize their life span.
More About Rubber
Rubber sex toys are not very realistic to the touch. It's a matter of personal preference whether you enjoy their firmness or prefer a more pliable and lifelike sex toy.
The chemical composition of rubber sex toys can give them a strong odor which many people describe as a "new car" smell. Some people find this smell off-putting, so it's worth spending some time with a rubber sex toy to decide whether it's right for you.
Rubber is quite porous, like jelly, so it's a bit of a magnet for bacteria. For this reason you need to clean your rubber sex toys thoroughly with a mild soap, water, and a soft cloth after every use. Water and silicone-based lubricants are also the best choices for prolonging the life of your rubber sex toy. Rubber sex toys can't be sterilized, so some experts recommend using them with a condom at all times. At a minimum, you should use a condom when sharing your rubber sex toys or using them for anal play. Thermoplastic rubber sex toys require the same maintenance as traditional latex rubber sex toys.
Rubber sex toys should be kept in individual bags to slow the aging process. Colored dyes can leech into the rubber, so these sex toys are best stored in plastic bags or plain muslin or cotton bags.
