25 Household Items You Can Use as Homemade Sex Toys
Not looking to splurge on a pricey vibrator? Then it’s time to get creative.
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Maybe your favorite vibrator just died mid-vibe. Maybe your fuzzy pink handcuffs have mysteriously vanished. Or maybe your fingers are simply not getting the job done tonight. Whatever the reason, if you’ve ever been craving an orgasm, looked around your apartment, and thought, “Could that work?” you are absolutely not alone. Homemade sex toys have been a thing for a very long time—long before luxury silicone and discreet shipping were a click away.
Yes, there are more professionally made sex toys on the market than ever before. But curiosity, convenience, and budget all play a role. Whether you’re experimenting, feeling spontaneous, or just working with what you’ve got, using household items as sex toys is something many people have considered at some point. And sometimes, the novelty alone can be hot.
“What's great about homemade sex toys is that they can really kinkify your experience,” says Marla Renee Stewart, a sexologist and sexpert for Lovers sexual wellness brand and retailer. Think spanking your partner with a wooden spoon, then blushing every time you make pasta.
Still, there’s a very real difference between playful improvisation and something that could irritate, injure, or send you into an awkward late-night search spiral. Babeland sex educator Lisa Finn cautions that while homemade sex toys can feel convenient in a pinch, using objects not designed for sexual use can come with safety risks, especially when it comes to materials, hygiene, and internal play.
So before you start raiding your junk drawer, it’s worth knowing what’s actually safer to experiment with, what should never go near your genitals, and how to explore without turning DIY pleasure into an ER visit you’ll never live down.
Health and Safety Considerations Before Using Homemade Sex Toys
Before you reach for a random household item in a moment of urgent horniness, Finn says it’s important to understand that using a homemade sex toy isn’t risk-free. “You’ll want to make sure an object is not made out of a material that could potentially be harmful to the body…or that could break, scratch, or irritate the sensitive tissues of the body when inserted,” she explains.
Using items that aren’t body-safe can lead to infections like BV or yeast infections, irritation, abrasions, or exposure to harmful substances. Finn notes that some materials may contain chemicals such as phthalates or heavy metals, while others simply aren’t designed to withstand pressure and could break during use, potentially requiring medical attention if something becomes stuck inside the body.
There are also some hard safety rules experts emphasize. For example, Finn says you should never insert anything anally unless it’s a toy specifically designed for that purpose with a flared base to keep it from traveling too far into the body. And even items that look smooth or harmless can have coatings, paints, sharp edges, or bacteria that aren’t safe for intimate contact.
If someone does choose to experiment, Finn recommends taking precautions to reduce risk, like covering items with a condom to create a barrier and making sure anything used is clean and free of damage. Still, she stresses that these steps don’t make DIY options completely safe—just potentially less risky.
That said, not every DIY idea is inherently dangerous—especially when you’re talking about external use or sensation play rather than penetration. Think less “replace your vibrator forever” and more “creative in a pinch, with boundaries.” The goal is to know what’s reasonably safe, what’s absolutely not, and how to experiment without turning curiosity into a story for your doctor. Below, the at-home options experts say are better bets—and how to play safely.
A Wooden Spoon
Your kitchen can do more than make dinner. If you’re curious about impact play but don’t want to buy a paddle, a sturdy wooden or bamboo spoon can absolutely step in. Start light and communicate as you go—this is not the moment to reenact a medieval punishment fantasy without a warm-up.
A Silicone Spatula
If a wooden spoon feels a little ambitious, try a silicone spatula instead. The softer material delivers a gentler sensation, which makes it a solid entry point if you’re still figuring out what you actually like.
Earplugs
Taking away one sense can heighten the others. Earplugs can be a simple way to experiment with BDSM play by dialing down sound and letting other sensations take center stage. Suddenly every touch feels a lot more intentional.
A Body Pillow
Body pillows aren’t just for better sleep posture. The extra length and support can make grinding, positioning, or experimenting with pressure way more comfortable during solo play. Sometimes comfort really does make everything better.
A Sleep Mask
No blindfold? A sleep mask works just as well—and often better, since it’s designed to stay put without constant adjusting. It’s a low-effort way to explore sensory deprivation using something you already own.
An Ice Cube Tray
If you’re curious about temperature play, your freezer has you covered. Glide an ice cube over nipples, inner thighs, or other external erogenous zones to experiment with contrast and sensation. The shift between cold and body heat can heighten awareness in a surprisingly intense way. Just keep things external and make sure your hands (and the ice) are clean.
Food (Used On/Around the Body, Not In It)
Food can absolutely be part of the vibe, just keep it above-the-waist or away from genitals. Think feeding each other berries or licking whipped cream off skin, not using chocolate sauce as lube. Sugars and additives can disrupt the body’s natural balance and lead to irritation or infection. As Finn explains, products that aren’t designed for sexual use can introduce substances that “could potentially be harmful to the body” or upset sensitive tissue. So keep the snacking playful, not anatomical.
Masking Tape (With Caution)
Tape is sometimes suggested in DIY restraint conversations, but it’s not ideal for direct skin contact because the adhesive can irritate or pull. If you’re curious about restraint, it’s safer to use tape over clothing or swap in something designed to bind without sticking to the body. The goal is restraint, not an accidental waxing session.
Any Board Game
Not every “sex prop” has to be physical. Turning game night into something more flirtatious is an easy way to build anticipation. Add dares, trades, or flirty consequences to whatever you’re playing to turn it into a sex game. It’s less about the cardboard and more about giving yourselves permission to be playful.
Mints
A mint before oral sex can create a cooling sensation that some people find exciting. Just let the intensity fade slightly before contact. Super-strong mint plus sensitive skin can feel like a jolt instead of something sexy.
A Candle
Wax play isn’t as intimidating as you might think. Using a body-safe massage candle designed for skin can be a sexy foreplay activity that encourages you and your partner to slow things down. Just don’t grab any random candle off your shelf—some waxes burn much hotter than others and aren’t meant for skin contact, which can increase the risk of burns or irritation. Stick to candles specifically made for massage or temperature play.
A Removable Showerhead
If you have a removable showerhead, try letting the warm water run over external erogenous zones like the clitoris. The pressure and temperature can feel great during solo play. Just keep things external and avoid directing water internally, since douching can disrupt the body’s natural balance.
Baby Oil
If you don’t have massage oil handy, baby oil can work for external massage during foreplay. Getting slicked up can feel erotic, and giving (or receiving) a massage is a great way to build anticipation. Just keep in mind that oil-based products shouldn’t be used internally and aren’t compatible with latex condoms.
A Chair
Furniture is underrated when it comes to changing angles and support. A sturdy chair can help you experiment with angles, support, and positioning during solo or partnered play. Add pillows if you want extra comfort and stability while you find what feels good.
A Table
A sturdy table can make certain positions more comfortable, especially for partners of different heights, and gives you more control over depth and movement. Just make sure whatever you’re using is sturdy and secure before getting started.
Coconut Oil
Most pantry staples are better kept out of the bedroom, but coconut oil is one option some people use externally as a lubricant alternative. It’s long-lasting and melts easily with body heat. Just note that oil-based products can break down latex condoms and may not work for everyone’s body chemistry, so they’re best reserved for external use only and situations where condom compatibility isn’t a concern.
A Metal Spoon
A smooth metal spoon can be used for external sensation play. Try warming (or cooling) it slightly in your hands or under water, then using the curved side for gentle touch. The temperature contrast can add a different kind of stimulation without needing anything high-tech. Just make sure the utensil is clean and free of sharp edges before using it on sensitive skin.
An Exercise Ball
That exercise ball sitting in the corner can double as a positioning aid. Because it moves with you, it can create new angles and rhythms that feel different from static surfaces. Think of it less like a toy and more like a way to change movement and balance.
Paperclips
If you’re curious about sensation play, clothespins are one of the more common at-home stand-ins people experiment with. They can create a temporary pinching sensation that some people enjoy as part of exploring the overlap between pressure and pleasure. If you try this, stick to areas with more muscle or padding, avoid sensitive zones like the neck or inner wrists, and don’t leave them on for long periods to prevent circulation issues. Also check that they’re smooth and free of splinters or cracks before using.
A Necktie
A necktie can work as a soft restraint or blindfold if you’re exploring light bondage or sensory play. The fabric is usually smooth, easy to adjust, and simple to remove quickly. As with any kind of restraint, keep communication clear and avoid tying anything too tightly so circulation isn’t restricted.
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