Masturbating the old-fashioned way just doesn't cut it sometimes.  

Maybe you're craving stimulation you can't get from your hands but can't afford to splurge on a fancy sex toy. Or you need something right now and don't want to click "Add to Cart," "Order," and wait for shipping. Whatever the reason, homemade sex toys are safe, sexy options you don't have to leave the house or hunt online for. 

Safely transform household items into dildos, vibes, and BDSM toys with this guide. 

Are DIY sex toys safe?  

Using household items as sex toys can be fun and sustainable, but safety always comes first. And unfortunately, not all options are safe.

Because most objects aren't designed for use during intimacy, choose items that have never been used before. Whether it's a cucumber, spatula, or electric toothbrush head, use it to get off — and only to get off. You don’t want crusty pasta sauce interacting with your fluids down there, and vice versa.

Another way to stay safe is by using condoms on your DIY creations. This is a quick, easy, accessible way to use homemade sex toys for penetration without worrying about germs, infections, and upsetting your pH balance. Another pro tip? Avoid unwanted bacteria and health issues by thoroughly cleaning your homemade sex toys before you use them. Yes, even if you use a condom.

Homemade anal sex toys are a no-go. Any sex toy for anal penetration must have a flared base. Otherwise, it could get lost inside you. An anal toy — or any item — hanging out in your colon is unsafe and potentially dangerous, so skip the risk and avoid using household items for prostate stimulation or anal sex. Buy a butt plug or prostate massager instead. 

Safety doesn’t stop at the physical level. If you want to use your homemade sex toy during partnered sex, have a chat with your partner before introducing it. Open communication and enthusiastic consent are vital to making sure you're both comfortable and excited about trying something new for sexual pleasure.

How to make a sex toy from household items  

If you're looking to spice things up without leaving the house, you might be surprised by what can double as a sex toy. Add excitement to the bedroom — with or without your partner — with this guide to transforming household items into erotic game-changers.

Homemade dildos

Ah, the humble dildo. Lucky for you, there are tons of phallic objects around your house that just beg for a little action. Here’s some inspiration:

1. Fruits and vegetables

If you're wondering what you can use as a dildo, the answer is in your produce drawer. A carrot is an excellent option for a tapered experience, and corn has an interesting texture that feels surprisingly good. Zucchinis are versatile, coming in various lengths and girths to suit your needs, and bananas are curved, which can help them hit your g-spot when you masturbate. If you have a penis, you can even use a soft fruit as a fleshlight or male masturbator. 

Whichever fruit or vegetable you choose, wash it thoroughly before playing, and always use a condom. This gives you safety points and avoids any mishaps in case a vegetable breaks. Pair any of these homemade dildos with a sex pillow for an extra good time.

2. Hairbrushes 

That hairbrush in your bathroom is calling your name. The handle makes a great makeshift dildo with a convenient flare base for easy handling. Hairbrushes also come in all shapes and sizes, meaning you can easily experiment with different textures and thicknesses without committing to expensive smart or luxury sex toys. 

3. Smaller household items 

If you prefer something smaller or more discreet, an everyday household object like the end of a marker, a mascara tube, or an eyeliner pen is surprisingly effective for sexual stimulation. These items are easy to find, simple to clean, and can be used with a condom for a quick and safe self-love session. 

4. Larger household items  

If you're feeling spicy, some more oversized household items can become DIY dildos. Plastic bottles and baseball bats — when you properly clean, cover, and use them with extreme caution — can help you feel full or stretched. Larger vegetables like eggplants are another option for this type of play. 

No matter what you choose, use lubricant and go slowly to stay comfortable and avoid injury.

Homemade BDSM toys

Want to experiment with BDSM without breaking the bank on expensive leather and metal goods? These DIY options have you covered:

1. Clothing 

Raid your wardrobe for homemade restraints. Neckties are long, soft, and ideal for light bondage play, but you can also use scarves, belts, and yoga straps. Use a silk scarf as a blindfold or a belt as a stand-in for a ball gag — the list goes on. With a bit of creativity, you can transform any ordinary clothing into BDSM and sensory-deprivation sex toys.  

2. Kitchen utensils 

Use a new silicone spatula or wooden spoon for impact play, like spanking. A spoon or spatula can deliver spanks of ranging intensity. To take it up a notch, use a small wooden cutting board with a handle as a flogger or paddle. Kitchen-based kink is an exciting way to explore different dominance and submission dynamics in your relationship, as well as varying degrees of sensation. 

3. Massage candles

A massage candle is designed to melt into massage oil. Use it for anything from an innocent back tickle to a full-blown erotic rub-down — complete with temperature play. Drizzling warm, melty oil onto your partner's skin is the perfect way to turn up the heat without buying extra supplies. Just don’t use regular candles, which aren’t good for your skin and could be dangerous.

4. Clothespins  

If nipple play or nipplegasms are your thing, try clothespins as DIY nipple clamps. These simple tools allow for easy adjustment and removal so you always the pressure right. Clothespins are accessible and discreet, and they let you experiment with sensation play during BDSM without investing in specialized clamps. 

Homemade vibrators

If your vibrator dies last minute or you want to explore the sensations without committing to a purchase, here are some vibrating household items to try:

1. Electric toothbrushes  

When it comes to household items that vibrate, an electric toothbrush tops the list. It’s a fantastic DIY vibrator for clitoral stimulation during intercourse and masturbation. 

Just add a condom, turn it on, and let it work its magic on your clitoris, vulva, or any other erogenous zone you prefer. Some bristles can be rough, so use the plastic side directly on your body. And remember not to use a toothbrush head you’ve already brushed your teeth with. Your vulva doesn’t need to be minty fresh.

2. Removable showerheads 

Who needs a clit sucker when you can masturbate with a showerhead? The adjustable water pressure settings go undercover as a DIY vibe. Use it to stimulate your clitoris, anus, or penis while lying or standing up in the bathtub. Just make sure you only let the water touch your body, not the showerhead itself.

3. Back massagers 

That large plug-in massager for your back can do so much more. Use it as a homemade sex toy for exploring vibration and intense stimulation across your body. It's great for solo and partnered sex, but its size can make it hard to use during intercourse. 

Find what feels good with Quinn 

Learning how to use sex toys is an excellent way to explore your sexuality — and so is Quinn’s ethical porn. 

Created by women for everyone, the Quinn platform is an audio erotica app. It offers a wide range of erotic audio stories for you to enjoy while learning about what sexual pleasure means to you. 

To access thousands of narrated sex stories, guided masturbation sessions, and playlists, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.