When to Replace Your Sex Toys: How Long Do Sex Toys Last?

The Lifespan of Different Sex Toy Materials

The lifespan of your sex toys varies depending on the material it is made and the way you use them. The better you take care of your toys, the longer they’ll last, so you can note the importance of cleaning and maintaining your sex toys. Another critical thing is the proper storage of your sex toys, which is why we always emphasize that you should store them away from heat and direct sunlight and away from other sex toys. To help you understand things better, here we discuss how long different sex toy materials last!

How Long Do Silicone Sex Toys Last?

Silicone is one of the primary materials that quality sex toys are made from. The material is durable, hypoallergenic, and non-porous, which makes it a perfect option for this application; silicone is also soft and flexible, can be molded in various shapes, and is long-lasting. However, silicone is a very long-lived material: the lifespan of regular silicone is about 20 years, while platinum-cured silicone can last up to 45 years before it starts to degrade. That said, you can see that your sex toys made of silicone can last you a very long time.

Still, the key thing that affects silicone’s longevity is the way you use, maintain, and store your silicone toys. The main thing we always emphasize is that you should never use your silicone sex toys with silicone lube. This is because some of the ingredients in the silicone lube can potentially reach the silicone and deteriorate the silicone’s surface. Instead, always use water-based lubes with your silicone toys, no matter if we are talking about a vibrator, a dildo, a silicone butt plug, or a male sex toy.

The other thing we need to highlight about silicone toys is the way you clean and maintain them. Non-vibrating silicone sex toys like silicone dildos and butt plugs can be easily sterilized with boiling water or a bleach solution or run through the dishwasher. You can wash vibrating silicone sex toys with a sex toy cleaner and warm water or use soap and warm water rinse. After everything is dry, you should store these in special storage bags that won’t allow contact with other silicone materials, which could be potentially dangerous.

How Long Do TPR/TPE and PVC/ABS Sex Toys Last?

The following most common material that different sex toys are made from is TPR or thermoplastic rubber. The material is highly durable, resilient, and can last a long time. TPR is resistant to tears and abrasions, is flexible, and can be easily molded into different shapes. One of the most common sex toys made from this material is TPR dildos, and with proper care, these can last you for years. Again, be mindful of the way you use it, the way you clean it, and the way you store it. Prefer to use it with water-based lubes, wash it with soap and water, and store it away from heat and sunlight.

The next blend commonly used for sex toys is Cyberskin or TPE, which stands for thermoplastic elastomer. It is the material most pocket pussies and Cyberskin dildos are made from, as it very closely resembles human skin and is very soft and flexible. Still, TPE is slightly porous and can be challenging for deep cleaning, which is why most TPE sex toys can be safely used for about six months or so.

PVC and ABS are hard plastics that are also commonly used in sex toy production; these are durable materials, and provided you don’t physically damage them, PVC and ABS sex toys, like bullet vibes, can last you for several years. You can check the surface of such toys, and if you notice cracks, then it is time to upgrade them.

How Long Do Metal and Glass Sex Toys Last?

Metal and glass are commonly used sex toy materials, as these materials are firm, non-porous, body-safe, and very durable. With proper care and maintenance, glass and metal sex toys like glass dildos, glass butt plugs, or metal dildos can last you a lifetime and even outlast you. These are compatible with all lube types and can be washed with any sex toy cleaner or soap and warm water. Take care not to drop and crack your glass sex toys, as this is the only way you can damage them. The same goes for metal sex toys; if you drop them, you can dent the surface, but most metal sex toys are practically indestructible.

How Long Do Jelly Sex Toys Last?

Jelly is a material that manufacturers use for inexpensive sex toys. It is a low-quality, porous material that is not as durable as the other materials we’ve listed above. For that reason, if you already have a sex toy made from jelly or acrylic, we recommend you use it with a condom on it to avoid contaminating the surface with bacteria. Overall, you should replace a jelly sex toy every 2 months. 

When to Replace Different Sex Toys?

Now that we’ve discussed the longevity of the different sex toy materials, we need to outline the main things to look for that indicate it is time to replace your sex toys:

• Changed shape – if your sex toy changes its shape, it is time to replace it with a newer model. A toy changing shape means it was exposed to high heat, which caused the material to lose its properties and not perform as it was supposed to.
• Cuts, cracks, holes – if you note some of these on the surface of your toys, it is time to upgrade. Surface damage can cause bacteria to build up and pose a threat to your health. Also, if there are sharp edges, these can hurt your soft tissues.
• Discoloration – if your sex toy has a sexy, bright color, it means it is in a pristine shape. But if you start to note any discolorations or fading, you are better off replacing this with a newer model. This is because the eroding material can accumulate pores and cracks that can harm or harbor bacteria.
• Poor operation – if your rechargeable toy starts to behave oddly and loses its charge in minutes after being charged, then it is a sure way that it will die on you soon. The same goes if you can’t connect your app-controlled vibe with the app or the wireless remote does not control the features as it is supposed to. Due to the nature of sex toys, the vibrating models are rarely able to be repaired, so if you see any of these symptoms, maybe it is time for an upgrade.

What to Do with Old Sex Toys?

We are all for keeping your sexual pleasure and your health in a prime spot, so taking care to only use quality sex toys made from body-safe materials is crucial. If you decide to change and discard any of your old sex toys, we recommend you refer to our guide on how to dispose of sex toys, where we cover all there is to know about this topic.

We hope our discussion on when it is time to replace your sex toys is helpful, as we covered the basics and focused on safety. It is also why we always recommend you get high-quality sex toys that are made from premium materials that will last you for years. Browse our sex toy store for more exciting sex toy options!