Archive for Phthalates

Living in the Material World


There is so much more to a masturbator than a great pair of tits and a tight box. The material it’s made of is just as important as what it feels like when you hop on to get off. Manufacturers have gone to great lengths to replicate the feel of the real thing — so much so that if you close your eyes, it’s hard to tell them apart. And that’s what keeps you coming back for more, again and again. In order to keep them as ready and willing as the first time, they deserve a certain amount of care.

We have posted before about the different materials used in masturbators and how to care for them, but we’ve decided to tie all that information up into a concise article for you below.

TPR (Thermo-Plastic-Rubber)*

Pipedream’s FantaFlesh® toys feel so great because they’re made of this. It’s the most lifelike material that mimics the look and feel of human skin. It warms to the touch during use, and is waterproof, light weight, super stretchy and soft. Masturbators like Pipedream Extreme Toyz® Fuck My Big Black Ass! ™ Mega Masturbator™, Fuck My Big Fat Titties™ Mega Masturbator™ and the Fuck Me Silly DUDE! ™ Mega Masturbator™ utilize TPR technology for that lifelike feel.
*A note about TPR: since it is composed of rubber, it will smell like rubber. The smell should fade over time, but will never fully go away. If stored it in an airtight box, the smell will not waft out until you open it.

TPE (Thermo-Plastic-Elastomer)


Pipedream’s pink and clear pocket-size masturbators feel so great because they’re made of this. It combines the elasticity of rubber with the durability of plastic — meaning, it’s nearly as soft and supple as the FantaFlesh® (TPR) but made faster & more economically so it can be offered at a lower price point. Masturbators like Pipedream Extreme Toyz® Juicy Cyber Snatch™ and Clear-Leader Snatch™ utilize TPE technology for a great get-off.

Cleaning and Maintenance


As with anything, using a little care will prolong the life of the toy. How long it actually lasts depends on how much it is used and how rough the user treats it. Keep in mind that TPR and TPE products are compatible with any lube that Pipedream manufactures, but we recommend steering clear of oil-based lubricants.

Here are some steps to take to get the party started and keep it going: BEFORE USE, you’ll want to: 1- Remove toy from package and spray with toy cleaner or soap, 2- Rub entire product vigorously & rinse with hot water, and 3- Pat dry with towel and lubricate. Voila! It’s ready to use! AFTER USE, you’ll want to: 1- Rinse away any debris with hot water and flush orifices under faucet (we’d also recommend a good Antibacterial Toy Cleaner at this stage), 2- Follow steps 1 & 2 from ‘BEFORE USE’ instructions (above), 3- Pat dry with towel & let stand for 15 minutes, and last — and perhaps most importantly, 4- Sprinkle with FantaFlesh® Revive Powder and spread a thin layer around exterior and interior before storing toy in an airtight container or zippered plastic bag. Revive powder will soak up any residual moisture, prevent material from getting sticky and maintain the lifelike quality of the masturbator.

Here is a printable PDF of the above information available in order to keep a copy handy with your toys.

FAQ: Does Phthalate-Free Mean Latex Free?

One question we’ve received from a few customers is if they see “phthalate-free” on a product, does that also mean it is latex free.

The answer is no. Phthalates are plasticizing agents used to soften plastic, PVC and rubber. They are used to manufacture many common products including adhesives, shower curtains, and nail polish.

Latex is a material itself, not an additive. Latex is a type of rubber. All latex is considered rubber, but there are some types of rubber that are latex-free, like our Basix collection.

Since some are allergic to latex, be sure to check the material information on the product detail pages of our site. If you see an item with material listed with anything besides latex (ie. TPR, Silicone, TPE, etc) then you are safe. If an item is made of latex, it should say so on our site.

If you find a product detail page missing material (or any other important information) you are invited to report it so we can update the site.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PHTHALATES

Phthalates are plasticizers, an additive to materials such as plastic and rubber in order to make them softer and bendable. Phthalates can be found in everything from baby bottles to makeup and even the interior of the car you drive.

There was a study conducted several years ago that concluded that phthalates might be cancer causing and/or have other negative consequences on your health. There still exists a debate as to whether or not they are in fact dangerous in products that you don’t internally ingest.

Being a company concerned for the safety of its customers, Pipedream ceased using phthalates in the manufacturing process of any of its products in 2007.

Any products manufactured by Pipedream since 2007 are ALL phthalate-free. You will see a logo on many of our product detail pages or in the item’s description.

If ever in doubt, feel free to submit a question to one of our Sexperts.