Anal sex

Your Guide to Butt Pluggin’ on a Budget: How to Make a Homemade Butt Plug

Published: AUGUST 19, 2024
Here's how to make a homemade butt plug that's actually safe to use.

Not everyone considers their butt to be fair game for exploration. But for those who have determined that their back door opens both ways – if you catch our drift – the possibilities are endless. Take the use of a butt plug, for example. Far from being a mere novelty, this unsung hero of pleasure products can unlock a world of sensations that can deepen your connection with your body and your partner.

With the right approach, the butt plug is more than just a toy – it’s an invitation to discover sensations impossible to tap into unless you’re going in through the rear entrance. 

If you’re brand new to butt plugs, you may feel shy or unsure about purchasing as a first timer, or like a new sex toy might be out of your budget. This is where fashioning a homemade apparatus for opening and exploring the anus can come in handy. While this may sound intimidating, it’s actually quite easy with guidance from the (s)experts.

Let’s dive into the hows and whys of the DIY butt plug. 

What is a butt plug?

To understand a butt plug’s purpose, look no further than what its name suggests. These little babies are designed to “plug” the anus and the rectum, which is not only known to elevate sexual pleasure but also prepares the area for anal play. 

Butt plugs are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, but you can count on most of them to feature a narrow tip for easy insertion, a wide middle, and a base that’s tapered and held in place by the muscles of the sphincter. The flared bottom is for your safety. It ensures that the plug won’t slip too far inside. Take notes, as you’ll definitely want to mimic this design for any device you make at home.

When you’re shopping for or devising a butt plug, you have a variety of options that cater to your tastes. Some manufactured plugs vibrate, while others have textures for added excitement. Most often, a butt plug is used to stimulate the nerve endings of the anus while you’re focused elsewhere at play, such as engaging in vaginal or oral sex. When it’s removed, it leaves the area primed for something larger, like a penis or dildo.

How do butt plugs work? 

Butt plugs work by stimulating or stretching the anal muscles, which takes sexual pleasure to new heights for plenty of folks. 

“People use them to enjoy the sensation of fullness,” says sexpert Carmel Jones of The Big Fling. “[They can also] stimulate the prostate or act as part of foreplay when preparing for anal sex. During other sexual activities, they add a layer of stimulation.”

Your anal area is full of nerve-endings that can create intense sensations and in turn, unforgettable orgasms. So whether you’re interested in discovering new pleasures by wearing a plug as your partner goes down on you or the psychological taboo of wearing a butt plug in public, you’re in for a joy ride. 

Types of Butt Plugs

Understanding the varieties at your fingertips is essential when determining what you want from your homemade butt plug. This can play a factor in the size, shape, or material that speaks to you. Here are a few popular types to consider when you’re drawing up your dream butt plug:

  • Classic Butt Plug: Think of this as the tried and true. A basic design with a tapered shape, flared base, and smooth surface. Our Favorite: The Blush Temptasia Bling
  • Butt Plug Kit: This isn’t just one plug but a set of plugs, coming in different sizes, designed for gradual stretching and comfort. Our Favorite: The b-Vibe Anal Training Kit
  • Textured Butt Plug: These plugs feature ridges, bumps, or other textures for additional stimulation. Our Favorite: The OhMyBod Lumen
  • Tail Butt Plug: If you’re into pet play or role playing, this shape is for you. These plugs include a tail, usually faux fur, that hangs outside the body for added fun and fantasy play. Our Favorite: The Tailz Pet Play Kit)
  • Inflatable Butt Plug: These tantalizing plus be inflated after insertion to increase the size for a fuller sensation. Our Favorite: The Satisfyer Air Pump Booty 2
  • Prostate Massager: Designed specifically for men, these nifty toys are made to target the prostate for enhanced stimulation. Our Favorite: The Cloud 9 Flexible Neck Prostate Stimulator

If you're new to anal play and unsure if you'll like the sensation of using a butt plug or just don't have the funds right now, splurging on one of these awesome butt plugs can seem like a lot. So, we're offering some alternatives with features that you can mimic safely at home.

How to Make a Homemade Butt Plug

Ready to try it for yourself? While making a homemade butt plug can be simple, you want to make sure you’re doing it right. 

“I want to stress the importance of safety and hygiene when making any homemade sex toy,” Jones says. “While it’s possible to get creative, you should always prioritize your health and well-being.”

Her top tips for exercising caution include: 

  • Ensure a flared base: This will prevent it from getting stuck.
  • Use smooth, non-porous materials: “Choose materials that won’t harbor bacteria, and make sure there are no sharp edges,” Jones tells Kinkly. 
  • Keep the size appropriate: Start with something that’s comfortable for you, especially if you’re a beginner. 

Now that we’ve covered our bases, let’s get into a few ideas for devising your own budget friendly butt plug. 

Carve soap with a knife

    Sophie Roos, a sexologist and couples counselor of 18 years, has a trick or two up her sleeve when it comes to do-it-yourself butt plugs. 

    “Take a hard soap and start sculpting one of the sides as a butt plug with the help of a knife,” she says. “Since soaps are cheap, you can try to create many different versions, sizes and shapes! Also try to buy soaps of different thickness!”

    Remember to make sure that there’s a stopper at the bottom of your soap butt plug so it can’t glide into the anal canal.

    Use a wooden spoon

      You might have a wooden spoon lying around your kitchen for cooking. If so, Roos suggests, “See if you can sacrifice one of them to be used as a butt plug."

      Some wooden spoons are even shaped perfectly, and the handle makes it easy to slide it in and out!

      Give the back of a hair brush a spin

        A hairbrush can be used for a lot more than taming your luscious locks.

        “Find a hairbrush with a handle you like the shape of, put on a condom and then insert it in the anal,” Roos explains.

        Try your toothbrush

          “Take an old toothbrush and insert the handle,” says Roos. “In my opinion this is the best homemade butt plug for beginners since it’s easy and safe to use, and since everyone has a toothbrush at home so it’s just to start right away.”

          Turn the heat up with a candlestick

            Candle sticks are non-porous and easy to carve into your desired shape, making them perfect raw material for your next butt plug. 

            You can either use a long and small candle as a butt plug by just making the top round, but also curve a thick candle to the exact shape you like,” Roos suggests. 

            Just make sure you mold your candle butt plug with a flared base so you don't end up at the ER trying to explain why there's a candle up your butt.

            Get into putty

              According to Sexuality and Relationship Coach Andrew Mioch, body-safe silicone putty or clay from your local hardware store has the potential to become a pleasure chest staple. Mold it into your desired shape while ensuring a flared base and you’ve got a clay butt plug that’s built to last. 

              “Clean it with warm soapy water, and you’re good to go,” Mioch tells Kinkly. “A clone of a willy kit could come in handy for this one.”

              When in doubt, dowel

                This one’s for all of the handy folks out there.

                “Sand down a wooden dowel, add a flared base and seal it with body-safe epoxy,” Mioch explains. “Use a condom when inserting, and make sure to wipe it clean with a damp cloth to keep it in top shape after usage.”

                Check your desk drawers

                  Metal and glass make for ideal butt plugs because of their sleek feel and body-safe composition. Mioch recommends digging around your home office for anything smooth and non-porous with a natural flare, like certain paperweights.

                  “Clean these with warm, soapy water or by boiling if the material is heat-safe,” he advises.

                  3D print your butt plug

                    If you have discreet access to a 3D printer, you can design a custom butt plug, free of charge. Imagine the possibilities (so long as they feature a flared base)!

                    Trim your favorite veggie

                      “Cucumbers, bananas, carrots, you name it,” says Mioch.

                      Carve any of these phallic fruits into a shape that’s comfy for you, pair with a condom for hygiene, and you’re off to the races. 

                      The bottom line

                      At the end of the day, exploring new sensations doesn't have to break the bank. With a little creativity and some expert tips, making your own butt plug is totally doable — and surprisingly fun. Just remember to prioritize safety and hygiene, and you'll be well on your way to discovering a whole new world of pleasure.

                      And while you’re in for a world of pleasure when you begin exploring anal play, no matter how you choose to do so, keep in mind that nothing beats investing in a properly designed, body-safe butt plug that comes in a neat little package to your doorstep. If the thought of creating your own plug makes you nervous or you’ve simply had enough of your makeshift butt plug and are looking to upgrade to its remote-controlled counterpart, the world is your oyster

                      Elizabeth Kirkhorn

                      Elizabeth Kirkhorn is a writer and essayist living in Manhattan. She is a graduate of The New School's MFA in Writing and currently lends her voice to a Creative Strategy Role at Dotdash Meredith, where she focuses on health & wellness brands. Elizabeth's writing spans a wide range of kinks and curiosities, and can be found on O.school, MysteryVibe, Byrdie, and beyond. Elizabeth's personal passions include creating fetish content that's friendly and accessible to all...

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