Smells on Silicone?

Contributor: Beautiful Dreamer Beautiful Dreamer
I own the Vibrating Leo. I use it on my (male) partner in a harness (along with a few others) and recently I noticed the Leo has taken on an odor. An ass odor to be exact. I don't have a problem with any other of my silicone dildos doing this and I don't cover any of them with condoms.

I clean all of my silicone dildos with cleaner every time, boil often, and run them through the dishwasher every so often. The smell is still on the Leo, but not the others. This really worries me, as I have used the Leo vaginally (after a thorough boil & dishwasher trip). If it holds smells, what else is it holding??

Any suggestions?
11/13/2008
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Contributor: GingerAnn GingerAnn
Insightful breakdown of Silicone Dildo:

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i've got the fun factory curve, found here and that g-spot bump that's meant to stimulate only hurts me. it's too hard. i'm wondering if it's possible

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I boiled my new silicone dildo for four minutes, then washed twice with soap and hot water before using it just yesterday. I just read that toys have
11/13/2008
Contributor: Bulma Bulma
I had the same thing happen with my Ryder plug. To finally get rid of the smell on my plug I boiled it for 10 minutes then left it sitting out to air for 2-5 days. I use a condom on it sometimes now, just to avoid the hassle of the smell issue. My Ryder is the only silicone toy I've ever had hold onto a smell. Both the Ryder and the Leo are made by great companies, so I would assume they would be 100% pure silicone like advertised. I've wondered if my Ryder was a little bit of a defective one, as no one else has reported issues with a lingering butt sex smell with theirs. I don't know about it being actually sterile though, as if sterile it should not have a scent at all...but I'm no expert on this. I'll be following this thread for sure.
11/14/2008
Contributor: Beautiful Dreamer Beautiful Dreamer
Quote:
Originally posted by Bulma
I had the same thing happen with my Ryder plug. To finally get rid of the smell on my plug I boiled it for 10 minutes then left it sitting out to air for 2-5 days. I use a condom on it sometimes now, just to avoid the hassle of the smell issue. My ... more
Come to think of it, my Ryder does have a scent as well. I just don't pay as much attention because that toy only goes up mine or my parnter's butt. I only smelled the Leo because I'm paranoid like that.
11/14/2008
Contributor: Ariane Ariane
Would the bleach method of sterilization do the trick?
11/14/2008
Contributor: Beautiful Dreamer Beautiful Dreamer
I don't own bleach, but maybe I should invest. I'll run to the store tomorrow and report back after I try.
11/14/2008
Contributor: Ariane Ariane
Everyone should own a small bottle of bleach
11/15/2008
Contributor: Epiphora Epiphora
Let us know, Beautiful Dreamer. I might need to get some bleach too.
11/15/2008
Contributor: Beautiful Dreamer Beautiful Dreamer
SO I'm about *thisclose* to throwing away the Leo. Bleach has failed. I've ran it through the dishwasher at least 5 times. Boiled it a few more. I didn't think silicone was supposed to retain smell? Am I wrong in that assumption?
01/12/2009
Contributor: Oggins Oggins
Quote:
Originally posted by Beautiful Dreamer
SO I'm about *thisclose* to throwing away the Leo. Bleach has failed. I've ran it through the dishwasher at least 5 times. Boiled it a few more. I didn't think silicone was supposed to retain smell? Am I wrong in that assumption?
No, you aren't wrong. Silicone should not retain a smell. It's non porous so anything that gets on it should come off and not hide in the material. Yeah.....you already know that..... I'm not sure why it's smelly though..... My zing from tantus did that once but, I boiled it for....forever it seems, then bleached it and then had to let it air out because it smelled of bleach and silicone but, the butt smell did go away.... I would suggest boiling it like there's no tomorrow and maybe even just soaking it in bleach for just as long before you pitched it........
01/12/2009
Contributor: Beautiful Dreamer Beautiful Dreamer
Quote:
Originally posted by Oggins
No, you aren't wrong. Silicone should not retain a smell. It's non porous so anything that gets on it should come off and not hide in the material. Yeah.....you already know that..... I'm not sure why it's smelly though..... My ... more
Thanks for clarifying this. I hate to throw it away- its my partner's favorite. But the ass smell- well- it smells like ass. No one wants an ass smell filled sex toy drawer.
I'll take your advice and just try boiling for hours. Time to bust out the big pot.
01/12/2009
Contributor: Beautiful Dreamer Beautiful Dreamer
Quote:
Originally posted by Beautiful Dreamer
Thanks for clarifying this. I hate to throw it away- its my partner's favorite. But the ass smell- well- it smells like ass. No one wants an ass smell filled sex toy drawer.
I'll take your advice and just try boiling for hours. Time to ... more
& I just emailed Vixen creations to see if they have any advice.
01/12/2009
Contributor: Beautiful Dreamer Beautiful Dreamer
So. While patiently waiting for Viven Creations to email me back, I checked their site out a little more. I found this:
Lifetime Guarantee on all Silicone Products
Vixen Creations, Inc. wants you to be completely satisfied with your silicone dildo, plug or attachment, which is why we offer an unbeatable lifetime replacement guarantee on damaged items. Please note that damage resulting from misuse of our products is not covered by this policy. For example, "My dog or cat ate it," "I forgot it was on the stove," "I bit it," "My girlfriend left me and took the dildo," do not qualify for product replacement. In the unlikely event that one of our silicone products is not to your satisfaction, simply return it, unopened, with a receipt, for a full credit toward another product in our line. A receipt is required for all warranty replacements.

So because I used the product my guarantee is void?? What?! Can someone explain this? Sorry & thanks!
01/14/2009
Contributor: Snappy Snappy
I suggest that you try washing it with Tate's The Natural Miracle Odorless shampoo.
01/18/2009
Contributor: Beautiful Dreamer Beautiful Dreamer
I finally got a response from Vixen Creations:
"I have not come across your situation before but I do know that silicone CAN absorb substances. If you where to put silicone in tomato sauce it would stain the dildo, same for ink, etc.

Silicone does not leach chemicals or odors, as it is odorless in itself.

Thanks for feedback."

So if silicone CAN absorb things, who is to say it can't absorb harmful bacteria- or worse- a virus. Especially if it absorbs it and then with every possible means of sterilization- it won't release it.
I'm just concerned now about all the silicone products I own.
01/28/2009
Contributor: Femme Mystique Femme Mystique
Oooh that's just scary.
02/01/2009
Contributor: Red Red
Oh, you're getting confused by two very similar words. Adsorb and Absorb are different.

*Red straightens out her labcoat*

Adsorb is the physical process where a liquid or gas accumulates in a later of molecules or atoms on a surface. It results from electrostatic forces. Long story short, the "ass scent" is a bunch of organic molecules stuck to the surface of the silicone because silicone is "fatty and greasy" (while being, of course, not fatty or geasy because it's silicone instead) and is therefore a lot more attractive to the "ass scent" molecules than rinse water. Silicone does not support microbial life at all, please don't believe that. It enjoys widespread use in medical applications because it is INERT.

Absorb (note the "B") would be bad. Absorbing implies that something is entering something else - gasses mixing into liquids, asprin moving into our bloodstream after we swallow it....etc. If ass scent were absorbing into your dildo, I would be worried about stuff from the dildo absorbing into you, more than anything else. This is the issue with plastic toys and pthalates, essentially.

Boiling it will work, I think. Proper sterilization (medical/lab level) is way more involved than what a dishwasher does, you can get closest at home with no specialized equiptment by boiling for like 30 mins. Give that a shot, good luck!
02/01/2009
Contributor: Alan & Michele Alan & Michele
We were just wondering if you found a remedy for this? Our Tantus Silk has recently picked up an "ass odor" as well, and boiling/bleaching hasn't entirely cured it.
07/27/2009
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
What else are you using to clean your Silk?

Since oil-soluble molecules tend to stick to silicone, you'll want to try something that can clean off oil. I'd go with dishwashing detergent first, followed by some mechanic's hand cleaner (not containing pumice, just the "Goop" type stuff). Perhaps some rubbing alcohol might work, too.
07/27/2009
Contributor: Alan & Michele Alan & Michele
Quote:
Originally posted by ScottA
What else are you using to clean your Silk?

Since oil-soluble molecules tend to stick to silicone, you'll want to try something that can clean off oil. I'd go with dishwashing detergent first, followed by some mechanic's hand ... more
Normally we just give it a scrub with whatever soap happens to be in the bathroom (which currently is Dial antibacterial), but I'll give the dishwashing detergent a try and see what that does. Thanks for the suggestion
07/27/2009
Contributor: Luscious Lily Luscious Lily
Quote:
Originally posted by Red
Oh, you're getting confused by two very similar words. Adsorb and Absorb are different.

*Red straightens out her labcoat*

Adsorb is the physical process where a liquid or gas accumulates in a later of molecules or atoms on a ... more
Now if only I could sneak my silicone toys into the autoclave at work...
07/27/2009
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
There are two things going on that aren't completely connected. The scent (good or otherwise) is chemical, and the sterile condition is biological. If the toy has been properly boiled then it will be sterile, and you don't need to worry about further sterilizing it. The scent, however, can remain. You'll need to find a process that will remove the chemicals that are causing it, and autoclaving may or may not do that (it depends if the chemicals in the autoclave will react, or if the temperatures will be high enough to drive off the problem chemical). In short, don't worry about sterility - just try various cleaning methods.

I often use shampoo to clean my silicone sex toys. That seems to work pretty well. Things that don't work: bathroom cleaners (Windex, Simple Green, etc.), laundry soap, etc. They just don't strip the smelly chemicals. I've had inconsistent results with bar soap as well.
07/28/2009
Contributor: victoria_ victoria_
will definetely buy the bleach

link
08/02/2009
Contributor: PspotGuy PspotGuy
You are not crazy, as much as they say silicone doesn't absorb smells every single toy i've used eventually begins to get that smell from anal use. I think it has to do with our natural scent glands in that area.

I have also boiled, bleached, and washed with a variety of soaps to remove that smell. Finally I found two tricks that work really well.

The first is to soak in a baking soda solution of a half cup baking soda to one gallon water. This works pretty good but I actually found an even easier way when frustrated about having to do another soak.

Pull out the Febreeze. I mix it 1/3 part with a toy cleaner solution (or you can use it straight) and use it every time i clean it after use. Since then I have not had any problems with smell and they always stay nice smelling too!
10/08/2009
Contributor: xsapphirexangelx xsapphirexangelx
This is comming from someone with no silicone experionce but i would imagine some sort of burning process could remove the ass smell. Considering sillicone can withstand very high temp. this is probly prety doable although i dont really know what would be the best means of doing this (posibly just a lighter run over the surface area). sorry if this is a ridiculous idea its just occured to me that it would might disapate the oils.
01/03/2010
Contributor: Kestrel Kestrel
Has anyone found other solutions to this besides shampoo, baking soda or Febreeze?

Since the problem is organic compounds adsorbing to the silicone, wouldn't rubbing a little oil (e.g., cooking oil) on the toy separate the organic compounds from the silicone? And then just remove the oil with soap and water.
11/03/2010
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
Quote:
Originally posted by Kestrel
Has anyone found other solutions to this besides shampoo, baking soda or Febreeze?

Since the problem is organic compounds adsorbing to the silicone, wouldn't rubbing a little oil (e.g., cooking oil) on the toy separate the organic ... more
I'd like to know this, too.

We did not use to have a problem with our silicone toys retaining odor at first, but over time they have started to -- and we even wash ours thoroughly with antibacterial liquid dishwashing detergent with bleach and THEN boil them . . . and we follow this routine after EVERY SINGLE USE! What the heck? They should not be retaining butt odors after being put through all that!

We've noticed the smell with our Tantus silicone plugs and with our Jollies Bubbles when my husband has used it to stimulate his prostate. I just keep the toys sitting out for days and days (sometimes a couple of weeks) -- and even give them another wash with liquid dishwashing soap with bleach every few days until the smell FINALLY dissipates. I do not ever put them away until the smell is no longer noticeable.

There has got to be an easier way. It is frustrating to have to keep them out up to two weeks at a time (though for only for about three days at a time, most of the time).
11/03/2010
Contributor: Blinker Blinker
Glad this thread has gotten some new life. I had no clue about silicone retaining booty smells. This makes me doubly glad I have taken to using glass and steel butt plugs. I hope you guys find some stuff to get rid of the butt funk on the plugs.
11/03/2010
Contributor: mllebeauty mllebeauty
Quote:
Originally posted by Blinker
Glad this thread has gotten some new life. I had no clue about silicone retaining booty smells. This makes me doubly glad I have taken to using glass and steel butt plugs. I hope you guys find some stuff to get rid of the butt funk on the plugs.
I agree. I'm lucky enough not to have run across this issue but would love to have more knowledge just in case.
11/03/2010
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
I might try the oil to test it out, could work.

Consistent exposure to warm water seems to do it for me.

Another thing you can do is try a small enema beforehand. I know when I clean out before play the toys don't smell after an ordinary soap and water cleaning.
11/03/2010