I’m a big fan of pervertables for kink. That is, ordinary items that can be misappropriated for sexy purposes. Think wooden spoon spankings, clothes pegs on nipples, makeup brushes for clitoral teasing or sensation play, and so on. But when it comes to things to use on your genitals, how to make your own sex toy – and even deciding whether or not this is a good idea – is not quite so straightforward.

I understand the temptation of making your own sex toy. Toys can be expensive. If you live with family, have little privacy, or live in a place with strict laws, they can also be difficult to get hold of. That’s why I’m not going to tell you not to do it. Instead, I’m going to give you some quick safety facts and show you some ways you can go about making or improvising a sex toy while minimising your risk of harm.

Making Your Own Sex Toy: Safety Considerations

Overall, most people have a very poor level of understanding when it comes to the things that are and are not safe to use on their genitals. This is for two main reasons:

1. Sex education sucks almost universally. So unless you were lucky enough to have very switched on parents or go to an incredibly progressive school, you almost certainly weren’t taught this stuff.
2. The sex toy industry is almost entirely unregulated. This means that manufacturers can lie, both about what materials they’re using and about the safety profile of those materials, and there is little recourse to call them on it when they do.

So with that in mind, be very very cautious about what you use as a sex toy. All kinds of items and materials can harm your body. This can run the gamut from physical injuries (for example, from using items with sharp edges) through to infection (from using items that aren’t properly sterile or are made of porous materials which can harbour bacteria.)

Quick Safety Tips

Follow these tips to keep yourself as safe as possible if you’re going to experiment with homemade sex toys:

• Only use items that are smooth and free from sharp edges
• Never use anything sharp, pointy, or that may have splinters
• Never use anything breakable (such as glass items)
• Avoid porous materials
• Put a condom over anything you are going to insert into your body
• If you are doing anal play, always always always make sure your item has a flared base or a large handle so you can retrieve it easily
• Don’t use anything electrical in the bath, shower, or near water
• Do not use items that have already been used for other purposes (such as used electric toothbrushes) and keep the item for sexual purposes only – or retire it – once you’ve used it as a sex toy
• Please don’t use food items such as fruits and vegetables. But if you really must, do not eat them afterwards. Throw them away instead.
• Only ever use your own items as sex toys, never something belonging to someone else

How to Make Your Own Sex Toy: 3 Ways

Cast Your (or Your Partner’s) Genitals

Making your own sex toy at home is relatively affordable thanks to the invention of genital casting kits such as Clone-a-Willy and Clone-a-Pussy. These kits typically cost under $50 and allow you to make a replica of your or your partner’s penis or vulva. The finished toy will be made of silicone, so it will be body-safe and should last for many years with the right care.

Bonus: it’s a fun and surprisingly hilarious date night activity.

If You Want to Make Your Own Sex Toy, Learn How to Work With Body-Safe Materials

If you want to make your own sex toy, you can always turn it into a project or a new hobby by learning how to actually work with body-safe sex toy materials and how to make things to a good standard.

For example, you might learn how to mix and pour silicone and make your own toy moulds. Or you could take up woodturning and make beautiful wooden sex toys (don’t forget to glaze and seal them properly with a body-safe finish!) on your lathe at home.

Repurpose Safe(r) Items

Fortunately, there are several household items you can use as a makeshift sex toy that are unlikely to cause you any harm. The following are likely to be okay with some basic safety precautions:

• A new, clean electric toothbrush (use the back of the head, i.e. the non-bristled end)
• A vibrating back massager
• An electric showerhead
• Smooth handles of items like hairbrushes (as long as they are clean and covered with a condom)

Let the Professionals Handle It

If you want something designed perfectly for you, it’s time to hand things over to the professionals. Yes, there are companies out there who will make you your very own personalized sex toy based on the specifications that you request.

The ones I recommend are:

• Nothosaur, a company that offers custom sex toys in an array of fantastical designs from tentacles to dragons to Zodiac-themed designs and many more. You can choose from a range of sizes, firmness levels, custom colourways, and extras such as vac-u-lock attachments. Use code COFFEE for 10% off your order!
• Mr Hankey’s Toys, a company offering both realistic and fantasy toys including oversized options. Choose your shape then customise the size, firmness, colours, and extras.
• Uncover Creations, a company specialising in fantasy aesthetics and selling toys including dildos, grinders, and made-to-measure penis extenders. Dildos, grinders, and other toys are available in an array of colours and firmness levels, and upgrades such as straps, a hole for a vibrating bullet, and UC’s “Silky Smooth” silicone additive. Extenders are available in four skin tones and five styles, with custom sizing and firmness levels as well as optional extras such as dual density silicone.
• Many indie makers and creators!

These retailers’ custom platinum silicone toys are of the highest quality and made using 100% body-friendly materials. So you’ll know you’re getting value for your money as well as a safe toy that you can use with complete peace of mind.

This post was sponsored by a company that is no longer in business. All views, as always, are mine.