Before we discuss the many benefits of TPE and silicone materials for real sex dolls, including their safety for the human body, we need to talk about how to distinguish between these materials.

For instance, how can we differentiate between silicone and non-silicone materials? If it’s a semi-transparent material or if it passes the flame test, you have clues, but what if it passes all these tests and you still have concerns? Can we use chemical smells to differentiate?

Many people on websites have inquired about the chemical smells from real sex dolls, which is a significant concern for them.

It's well-known that PVC emits an unpleasant smell when first unpacked due to the use of plastic softeners.

Many people use this odor or the absence of it to determine if something is silicone or TPE.

They believe that silicone sex toys and TPE sex dolls should not have any chemical smell. Thus, when they open the packaging and smell a chemical odor, they immediately question the integrity of the silicone sex toy or TPE sex doll.

Silicone or TPE Can Retain Odor

Silicone and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) materials are not entirely non-porous and can retain odors. This phenomenon can be explained through the chemical properties and manufacturing processes of the materials.

Silicone is a synthetic polymer material made from silica and other chemicals. During manufacturing, a small amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may remain, which can emit odors during initial use.

TPE is a blend of various polymers, often containing additives such as antioxidants, which can volatilize and produce odors during initial use.

However, water-soluble chemical odors can dissipate more easily through quick cleaning and ventilation.

Washing with mild soap and water (or wiping with baby wipes and then "rinsing" non-waterproof toys with a damp cloth) can remove any residual chemicals—something you should do with any new sex toy—but the most crucial step is to let it ventilate without opening the packaging.

Don't Worry About These Mild Chemical Odors; They Won’t Harm You

Studies show that the VOCs in silicone and TPE are generally within safe limits. For example, a study in the "Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis" measured the VOCs in different silicone products and found their concentrations far below harmful levels for humans.

Why are we talking about VOC levels, and what does this have to do with smell and safety?

In fact, VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. When you smell a chemical odor, that's a VOC. Paint, new shower curtains, sex toys, cleaning products—we can't escape them.

Toxicological assessments indicate that silicone and TPE materials themselves are inert and do not produce acute or chronic toxicity to humans.

The concentrations of volatile odor substances are very low and usually do not reach levels that could cause health issues.

While users report that silicone and TPE products have odors initially, these smells typically dissipate or significantly reduce over time. User feedback indicates that most people do not experience health issues once the smell fades.

How to Remove These Annoying Chemical Smells?

You can remove the chemical smells from silicone and TPE materials through the following methods:

1. Ventilation and Airing Out

• Natural Ventilation: Place the real sex doll in a well-ventilated area for a few days to let the air circulate. Natural ventilation can help disperse VOCs, reducing the odor.
  
  
• Sun Exposure: Airing out in the sunlight can speed up the dissipation of the odor. Be careful not to expose the material to strong sunlight for too long to prevent aging.

2. Cleaning and Treatment

• Warm Water Washing: Use warm water and a neutral detergent to gently wash the silicone or TPE real sex doll, ensuring that surface residues and chemicals from the production process are removed. Rinse thoroughly with clean water afterward.
  
  
• Soaking: Soak the real sex doll in a solution of warm water and baking soda (1-2 tablespoons of baking soda per liter of water) for a few hours, then rinse clean. Baking soda helps neutralize and absorb odors.

3. Using Absorbent Materials

• Activated Charcoal: Place the product and some activated charcoal packets in a sealed container. Activated charcoal can absorb volatile compounds, reducing the smell.
  
  
• White Vinegar: Place a small bowl of white vinegar in a sealed container with the product and leave it overnight. White vinegar can absorb and neutralize odors.
  
  
• Natural Absorbents:
  • Baking Soda: Place some baking soda near the product or soak the product in a baking soda solution. Baking soda has odor-absorbing properties.
  • Coffee Grounds: Dry coffee grounds can be placed near the product or in a small bag inside a sealed container with the product. Coffee grounds effectively absorb odors.

4. Aromatherapy and Essential Oils

• Essential Oils Treatment: Apply a small amount of natural essential oils (such as lavender or lemon) to the cleaned real sex doll. These oils can mask and gradually eliminate the chemical odor.
• Aromatherapy Bags: Place the real sex doll near an aromatherapy bag to use the fragrance to cover and neutralize the chemical smell.

5. Using an Ozone Generator

• Ozone Generator: Treat your real sex doll with an ozone generator for a short period. This can effectively break down residual organic compounds. However, use ozone with caution as it has oxidative properties, and ensure the product is fully ventilated after treatment to dissipate ozone.

6. Regular Inspection

• Continuous Monitoring: Regularly inspect and treat the product to ensure the odor does not accumulate again. If the smell persists for a long time, consider checking the product's quality or source.

Using these methods, you can effectively reduce or even remove the chemical smells from silicone and TPE products, making the use of a real sex doll more comfortable and safe.