Pre owned sex toys: Are they safe for you and your partner?

Sex toys aren’t cheap. A good vibrator or high-end wand can easily run you $50, $100, or even more. So it’s not surprising that some people start looking at pre owned sex toys as a budget-friendly option. Maybe you want to test something out before dropping serious money, or you found a discontinued toy that only pops up secondhand. Totally understandable.

But here’s the big question: are pre owned sex toys actually safe to use? Let’s break it down: the reasons people buy them, the risks, how cleaning works, and what alternatives might be smarter.

Why people even consider pre owned sex toys

Honestly, it comes down to a few common reasons:

• Saving money – Toys get expensive fast, especially the fancy ones.

• Curiosity – Maybe you don’t know if you’ll like a toy and don’t want to pay full price.

• Sustainability – Buying used feels eco-friendly, like thrifting for clothes.

• Rarity – Some discontinued or niche toys are literally only available secondhand.

So yeah, the interest makes sense. But unlike thrifting jeans, we’re talking about items that go… inside your body. That’s where things get tricky.

The risks of pre owned sex toys

Here’s where the caution comes in. Even if someone swears they cleaned it, you can’t know for sure. Main issues:

1. Germs + infections: Sex toys come into contact with bodily fluids, which can carry things like herpes, chlamydia, or HPV. If the toy is porous (jelly, rubber, cyberskin), it can soak up fluids in ways that are impossible to fully clean.

2. Porous vs non-porous materials. Porous: jelly, rubber, cyberskin → not safe to share. Non-porous: silicone, glass, stainless steel → much easier to sanitize. But even non-porous toys can get tiny scratches where bacteria hide.

3. Old or damaged toys: Pre owned vibrators or wands might have cracks, chips, or worn-down motors. That’s both a hygiene issue and a potential electrical hazard.

4. Unknown history: Did the previous owner clean it properly? How often was it used? Was it stored safely? You’ll never really know.

Can pre owned toys ever be safe?

It depends.

Some materials hold up better than others.

• Safer bets (still a little risky): glass, stainless steel, medical-grade silicone (if it’s not damaged). These can be boiled or disinfected with a bleach solution.

• Not recommended: anything porous (jelly, cyberskin, TPE). They trap fluids and odors, and there’s basically no way to fully sanitize them.

So technically, yes, some pre owned sex toys could be cleaned enough to be usable. But you have to be super careful.

How to clean pre owned sex toys

If you already have one or you’re seriously thinking about it, here’s the safest cleaning routine:

1. Check the material first. Non-porous only (silicone, glass, steel). Porous = throw it away.

2. Wash with warm water + mild soap. Gets rid of surface stuff.

3. Disinfect. Use a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach, 9 parts water), then rinse like crazy.

4. Boil it (if possible). Glass, stainless steel, and silicone can usually handle 5–10 minutes in boiling water.

5. Inspect for cracks. Any scratches = bacteria hiding spots = not safe.

6. Use condoms. If you’re sharing with a partner, covering the toy adds a little extra protection (but doesn’t make it 100% safe).

Even with all that, you’re still taking some risk.

Smarter alternatives to pre owned sex toys

If your main motivation is saving money or being sustainable, there are better options:

• Buy budget-friendly new toys. There are body-safe vibrators and dildos under $30, especially from brands like Blush or Satisfyer.

• Watch for sales. Around Black Friday, Valentine’s Day, or even random flash sales, you can snag solid toys cheap.

• Eco-friendly brands. Some companies make sustainable products or run recycling programs for old toys.

• DIY options. You don’t have to buy something secondhand. Hands, massage oils, or safe household items can spice things up.

This way you still save money or reduce waste without the hygiene gamble.

Having a real talk

If you’re not single, this is definitely something to bring up with your partner before making a decision. Some people are totally uncomfortable with the idea of using pre owned sex toys, and that’s valid.

Tips for the convo:

• Be upfront about why you’re considering it (saving money, curiosity, etc.).

• Explain your cleaning plan if you’ve already got one.

• Respect their boundaries if they’re not on board.

Good communication keeps things from getting weird or awkward.

Should you buy pre owned sex toys?

Technically, yes, non-porous toys can be cleaned enough to be reused.

Realistically, the risks (infections, unknown history, damage) outweigh the savings for most people.

If you want to save money, buy cheap new toys, shop sales, or look into eco-friendly alternatives instead.

At the end of the day, your sexual health is worth the investment. It’s just safer, (and a lot less stressful) to stick with new, body-safe toys.