A Question about Silicone Sterilization when there are other materials involved...

Contributor: Breas Breas
I have a review item (a rabbit vibrator) that is made of silicone (the vibrator) but the control panel is the ABS material. I don't share my toys so sterilization is not something I'd need to do for myself but I am wondering about this information for my review...

I know that silicone can be sterilized in boiling water, but if the control panel is another material, can the vibrator still be sterilized effectively (enough for a person to be able to share without the use of a condom)?

I assume that if the person stood over the stove and held the vibrator in the boiling water, making sure the control panel doesn't touch the water, then that could work, but then again, would the heat affect the ABS material? The toy is waterproof, but as for boiling water proof, I don't know.

I just want to make sure that I add the right safety information for when it comes to sharing this product.

Thanks in advance for your help!
12/14/2011
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12/14/2011
Contributor: Chirple Chirple
I wouldn't put a toy with a motor in boiling water at all. I wouldn't want to damage the internal components.

Even if the toy is waterproof, boiling something can cause an internal pressure imbalance and damage it, not to mention just plain heat up all the mechanical parts and connections inside. Not a risk I'd take with a toy that was probably pricey.

I think 10% bleach solution on the silicone, and isopropyl alcohol all over is probably as good as you're going to get.


As for the ABS, I wouldn't risk that either. It's melting point, at least generally, is just a smidgen higher than the boiling point of water.
12/14/2011
Contributor: Breas Breas
Quote:
Originally posted by Chirple
I wouldn't put a toy with a motor in boiling water at all. I wouldn't want to damage the internal components.

Even if the toy is waterproof, boiling something can cause an internal pressure imbalance and damage it, not to mention just ... more
Thanks for the quick response! So with the 10% bleach solution and alcohol, that would sterilize the toy well enough for person to be able to share the toy without covering it with a condom?
12/14/2011
Contributor: Chirple Chirple
Since silicone and hard plastic are non-porous, I think it would fine.

It's a tricky subject - even bleach and alcohol will not kill absolutely everything ever, but they should be plenty effective for the average person's purposes.

I know that's not really helpful for me to say, but I think sharing toys is a calculated risk no matter what. In this case, it's probably as safe as if a condom was used, so if someone is comfortable with that, they should be fine.

(I just thought about autoclaving a Pure Wand and now I feel tingly)
12/14/2011
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
I have been in contact with LELO and FunFactory about this before. They have said that they can be dipped into boiling water. I've never done it, though. It can get really hot!
12/14/2011
Contributor: Chirple Chirple
You could check the booklet if it has one, too. My MiMi has a note in there that says not to use in extremely hot or cold water.

Boiling water is 212 degrees, and unless you know exactly the composition of the plastic and all internal components, there are plastics with melting points in that area. ABS's melting point is 221 degrees. On the other hand, there are plastics with much higher melting points.

Now, I'd hazard that if you just dipped it in, most of the time you'd be okay. But it's a risk I wouldn't want to take. However, to really sterilize something, you have to leave it in much longer than a dip. So I think bleach and/or alcohol would be more effective.
12/14/2011