Why do so many people knock the jelly vibrators and prefer the silicone ones?

Contributor: Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama
Ok - so I have three. A butterfly kiss that is TPR or something like that - a flexi lover that is jelly but doesn't feel really soft like the O-ring we have and the Opis that is silicone and feels velvety to the touch but feels very hard to me (almost like plastic or something).

My daughter says that the ribbed lover we have is actually harder than jelly even though its jelly - and that it is almost like softer silicone (based on her understanding but not personal experience - just she's read more about these things).

Anyway - I am just curious because the ribbed lover is SOOOO flexible and the butterfly kiss (other than being a bit small and short) works so well on me.

Yet it was like the Opis hurt..even though I could take it all in.
09/30/2011
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Contributor: Rin (aka Nire) Rin (aka Nire)
Jelly is, simply put, not very body-safe. It usually contains pthalates that some people are sensitive to and become irritated by. A toy leaking pthalates tends to have a greasy, sticky feel that many people find unpleasant. Jelly is also very porous it's likely to harbor bacteria no matter how well you clean it. Using condoms on jelly toys can protect the user from pthalates and help cut down on bacterial growth, but the average jelly toy should not be kept for more than a year regardless of condom use. Jelly breaks down very quickly - sometimes it will only last a few months, sometimes it will last a little longer. Once it starts to break down, it needs to be thrown away.

Silicone, on the other hand, is one of the safest materials there is. It's completely non-porous, so no bacteria can hide anywhere under the surface, and it can be boiled for super-sanitation. It doesn't contain any harmful chemicals that can cause irritation or infections, so it won't ever feel greasy (sometimes just a wee bit sticky, but that's rare), and with minimal care it can last a lifetime. As for softness, that all depends on who's making it and how it's being made. Some silicone toys are very firm, while others are super-duper squishy, with most falling somewhere in between. The only real downside is that silicone lubricants and silicone toys may react with one another, so a patch test is a must.

And just a related note: Always be cautious when storing toys. Glass, metal, and plastic are all inert and won't react with anything, so they can touch other materials without harming them. Pure silicone can be kept with pure silicone. Beyond that, it's advisable to keep your toys from touching each other, just to be safe - ziplock bags are great for this. Hope this was helpful.
09/30/2011
Contributor: aliceinthehole aliceinthehole
Quote:
Originally posted by Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama
Ok - so I have three. A butterfly kiss that is TPR or something like that - a flexi lover that is jelly but doesn't feel really soft like the O-ring we have and the Opis that is silicone and feels velvety to the touch but feels very hard to me ... more
i loved my first jelly toy, because it was my first toy. i didnt know what to expect really. it smelled horrible, it was offgassing its chemicals like crazy, and was a huge nasty dust magnet. after a few months i had to use a condom with it because my puss would BURN during and after use.

a month later and even a condom couldnt protect me. i threw it out.
09/30/2011
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Another point with the jelly is that the jelly toys generally just don't last as long. And even if they do last, after a while they will need to be replaced since you can't get them super clean.

And, another storage idea that I read on here a LONG time ago and still use - you can safely store your toys in tube socks in lieu of a fancy, drawstring toy pouch. It works great!
09/30/2011
Contributor: Alan & Michele Alan & Michele
For us the reasons are exactly what has been said: hygiene/safety and longevity. I have to admit that I would love it if a company ever created a vibrator out of silicone that was as soft as a jelly toy, but I always feel the need to use a condom with jelly toys so they're just not worth it to me.

~M
09/30/2011
Contributor: Vegan Silk Vegan Silk
I've seen lots of reviews of jelly toys that say "its great just use a condom with it!"

Ugh. I hate condoms. They are a necessary annoyance when dealing with untested or non-monogamous partners. But, the best part about masturbating is I don't have to worry about safe sex. I don't buy any toys that have that requirement.
09/30/2011
Contributor: Shellz31 Shellz31
I personally don't care that it rates so low in safety cause I love my Cyberskins and wouldn't give them up no matter what.
But I refuse to use anything with phthalates in it and jelly stinks! I also refuse to throw away money on condoms when I can go straight for a great quality toy that won't cause me issues.
09/30/2011
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I personally like the way jelly feels. However they tend to absolutely reek. They collect dust and hair like a lint roller. There's a potential for vaginal burning. I even got a bladder infection from a jelly toy. I think some have mentioned yeast infections due to the nature of jellies to collect bacteria. I like how soft they are but the downsides just aren't worth it.
09/30/2011
Contributor: Love Bites Love Bites
I don't like Jelly as much as plastic, silicone, or safer materials. I had one toy, and it got gunky and nasty even though I cleaned it. It collected lint, and it had a weird smell/taste. It ended up sitting in a box in my closet, untouched. I don't like to use it, even with a condom. The pro isn't good enough for the cons.
09/30/2011