Explainer
Things Around the House That Can Double as Sex Toys (Safely)
Which household items are safe for external play, which to avoid, and why nothing improvised should ever go inside the body.
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Quick answer
Some household items are safe for external play. Pillows and folded towels work for grinding or support, a handheld showerhead on a gentle setting for warm water, a plug-in back massager over clothing, and soft makeup brushes, feathers or a cool metal spoon for sensation play. The rule that matters most is that nothing improvised goes inside the body. Candles, vegetables, bottles and handles can break, harbour bacteria or get lost, especially anally. If you want penetration, buy an inexpensive toy made for it.
Some household items are safe for external play: pillows and folded towels for grinding or support, a handheld showerhead on a gentle setting, a plug-in back massager over clothing, and soft makeup brushes, feathers or a cool metal spoon for sensation play. The rule that matters most: nothing improvised goes inside the body. Candles, vegetables, bottles and brush handles can break, harbour bacteria or get lost, especially anally. If you’re curious about penetration, an inexpensive toy made for it is far safer than anything from the kitchen drawer.
The safety rules
- External only. If it wasn’t designed to be inserted, don’t insert it.
- Never anally. Anything used anally needs a flared base. Household objects don’t have one.
- Smooth, solid, non-porous. Avoid wood, cracked plastic, seams, detachable parts and anything that could splinter or shatter.
- Clean before and after. Warm water and mild soap, then dry.
- Nothing around the genitals. Never use cords, rubber bands or rings that aren’t designed for it. Improvised rings can trap the penis and need emergency removal.
- No improvised lube. Oils, lotions and soaps can irritate and some break down condoms.
The earlier version of this page suggested an unlit candle or a cucumber in a condom as a makeshift dildo. We’ve removed both: they can break, they have no flared base, and a body-safe toy costs very little.
Safe(ish) household ideas
Pillows and folded towels. Grind against a firm pillow or folded towel for hands-free pressure, or use a pillow under your hips to change the angle during sex. This is the simplest and safest option.
A handheld showerhead. Warm, pulsing water on a gentle setting is a well-known way to explore external stimulation. Keep the pressure and temperature comfortable, and don’t aim a jet into the vagina or anus. The NHS advises against douching.
A plug-in back massager. Many “personal massagers” are the same tool as a wand vibrator. Use one over underwear or a towel at first, and only on the outside of the body. A purpose-made wand is easier to clean:
Small rechargeable wand
Bestvibe 8 Speeds 20 Frequencies Vibrating AV Clitoral G-Spot Massager
Best for Broad external vibration, couples use and anyone who finds bullets too pinpoint.
A compact rechargeable wand with a flexible neck, eight speeds and twenty patterns, priced well below most wands.
- Eight speeds and twenty patterns
- IPX7 rating
- Listed run time of about 80 minutes
- Settings
- 8 speeds, 20 patterns Manufacturer-stated
- Run time
- 80 min Manufacturer-stated
- Length
- 8.07 in Manufacturer-stated
- Material
- Silicone Retailer listing
- Waterproof rating
- IPX7 Retailer listing
Feathers and soft makeup brushes. Ideal for teasing and sensation play during foreplay. Use clean brushes you don’t use on your face, or keep a set just for this.
A metal spoon. Chilled in the fridge or warmed under the tap, the back of a smooth spoon glides across skin for temperature play. Test the temperature on your wrist first, and keep it external.
A silicone spatula. Food-grade silicone is non-porous and makes a soft, light paddle for consensual spanking. Agree on how hard beforehand and avoid the spine, kidneys and joints.
A warm or cool rice sock. A sock filled with rice can be warmed briefly in the microwave or cooled in the freezer for massage and relaxation. Check the temperature first so it doesn’t burn.
What to avoid
- Candles, vegetables, fruit, bottles, handles and hairbrushes inside the body. They can break or slip, they’re hard to clean, and none has a flared base.
- Glassware. Kitchen glass isn’t designed to withstand pressure and can shatter.
- Wood and unfinished materials. They can splinter and can’t be cleaned properly.
- Anything electrical near water, unless it’s rated for it.
- Improvised rings or ties around the genitals.
- Toothpaste, mint, spices, perfumed products or household cleaners anywhere near the genitals.
When to buy a real toy instead
If you enjoy experimenting, a purpose-made toy is safer, more comfortable and easier to clean, and it doesn’t cost much. For internal play, a slim, flexible silicone vibrator is a gentle start:
Slim silicone internal vibrator
Ava 6 Vibrating Clitoris Stimulation Flexible G-Spot Vibrators
Best for Beginners who want a slim internal vibrator that is easy to use and quiet.
A slim, flexible silicone G-spot vibrator with six settings and the lowest listed noise figure in this price band.
- Slim, flexible shaft
- Listed noise under 45 dB
- IPX6 rating
- Noise (listed)
- <45 dB Manufacturer-stated
- Run time
- 55 min Manufacturer-stated
- Material
- Silicone Retailer listing
- Waterproof rating
- IPX6 Retailer listing
Pair it with a water-based lube, which is safe with every toy and condom:
Water-based lube
Bestvibe - 120ml Ultra Smooth Water-Based Lubricant Toys & Condom Compatible
For help choosing, see how to choose your first sex toy and best vibrators under $50. Then keep it clean with our guide to cleaning your sex toys safely.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a vegetable or fruit as a sex toy?
We don't recommend it for internal use. Produce can carry bacteria and pesticide residue, can snap or leave pieces behind, and has no flared base. Never use anything improvised anally. A basic silicone toy costs very little and is far safer.
Is using a showerhead safe?
Yes, for external use on a gentle, comfortably warm setting. Don't aim a strong jet directly into the vagina or anus. The NHS advises against douching because it can upset the vagina's natural balance.
Can I use an electric toothbrush as a vibrator?
Only the smooth handle, held against the outside of the body over a cloth or condom, and only briefly. It isn't designed for it, and the vibration is buzzy. A cheap bullet or wand is gentler and easier to clean.
Why can't I put household objects inside my body?
Everyday objects aren't made from body-safe materials, can break or splinter, often have seams that trap bacteria, and don't have a flared base. Objects lost in the rectum are a common reason for emergency room visits. Use toys designed for insertion.
What lube can I use if I don't have any?
Don't improvise with oils, lotions or soap around the vagina; they can cause irritation and some damage condoms. A small bottle of water-based lube is inexpensive and safe with every toy.
Sources
- Bacterial vaginosis — NHS. Advises against douching and using perfumed products in and around the vagina.
- Different types of penile constriction rings — Sexual Medicine Society of North America. Improvised or rigid rings can cause entrapment needing emergency removal.