10 Surprising Kitchen Hacks That Double as DIY Sex Toys—Get Ready to Spice Up Your Routine!

Ever find yourself wondering if that innocent-looking cucumber in your kitchen could moonlight as a smoldering sidekick in your love life? You’re not alone — the kitchen has long held its reputation as one of the hottest hookup hideouts, where the sizzle of the stove meets the spice of spontaneity. But here’s the kicker: those everyday utensils and ingredients aren’t just for whipping up dinner anymore. Believe it or not, your kitchen drawers might just be hiding a treasure trove of DIY sex toys that are as convenient as they are cost-effective. Before you leap into a steamy rendezvous armed with last night’s carrot or a chilled spoon, though, let’s break down which items can safely fire up your solo or partnered play without skipping a beat. Ready to transform your kitchen into a playground of pleasure? Buckle up — you’ll never look at a spatula the same way again. LEARN MORE

The kitchen has long been considered one of the steamiest spots for a hookup—there’s just something undeniably hot about the mix of heat, spice, and spontaneity. And, this oft-underrated sex locale also happens to be stocked with plenty of items that can double as DIY sex toys.

“Homemade sex toys featuring everyday objects are accessible,” Sara Nasserzadeh, PhD, a social psychologist previously told Women’s Health. Not to mention, these toys are low-cost and as convenient as they come.

Plus, they can be a fun treat if you have already exhausted your drawer (or closet, or room) of sex toys and want to try something new. “They can bring lightness and laughter to the dynamic, which is priceless,” Nasserzadeh says. After all, you’ll likely never look at a kitchen utensil the same way again.

Of course, not everything in your drawers is safe to use between the sheets (or, uh, on the counter), which is why we tapped sex experts to break down which common kitchen staples can safely spice up your solo or partnered play.

Meet the Experts: Sara Nasserzadeh, PhD, is a social psychologist who specializes in relationships. Gigi Engle, is a COSRT-certified sex and relationship psychotherapist and resident intimacy expert at dating app. Tyomi Morgan, ACS, is a sex educator certified with the American College of Sexologists. Debra Laino, PhD, is an AASECT-certified sex educator and doctor of health science. Jane Fleishman, PhD, is a sexuality educator and host of Our Better Half podcast.

1. Cucumber

For obvious reasons (see: the shape), the cucumber has long been a punch line in jokes about dildos. But far more than quip fodder, the cucumber actually can be used as a dildo, according to Engle. (Pro tip: Freeze it first for a fun sensation!).

“Just be sure to slide a condom on it ahead of time,” Engle says. “Without the condom, there is the risk that you disrupt the vaginal pH and wind up with a yeast infection.” The same rules apply to any household item you plan to use internally (vaginally or anally).

That said, it’s best to keep cucumbers out of the anus. “If you’re putting anything in the anus, it’s really important that you’re only using anal-approved toys with flared bases,” says Engle.

2. Various Vegetables

Fresh out of cucumbers? Put your refrigerator’s crisper drawer to work! Try a carrot, eggplant, or other phallic-shaped vegetable instead, recommends Tyomi Morgan, ACS, a certified sex educator. Ultimately, your size and girth preferences are going to be what determines the best vegetable for you.

Once again, a condom is your best friend here, as forgoing one could result in disruption of the vaginal microbiome. Pass.

3. Ice Cubes

Go ahead, shut the refrigerator door, and open the freezer door instead. There, you’ll find a gateway to temperature play: Ice cubes.

“Temperature play is a type of play where you use temperature to heighten your sensitivity to touch and sensation,” explains Engle. “That shock and surprise increases blood flow and heart rate…only furthering our sexual intensity and desire.”

Take an ice cube and run it along your partner’s skin. “You can put it on any part of the body, any of your erogenous zones,” says Morgan. She suggests using an ice cube to make trails down your partner’s body, and then using your breath to emphasize that cool feeling.

4. Ice Cube Tray

Sure, the crescent-shaped cubes that most freezers create will feel good. But just as different dildo shapes can introduce wildly different sensations, so can different ice cube shapes! That’s why Morgan recommends grabbing whatever ice cube trays you have, filling them with water, then using the “cubes” once frozen.

5. Utensils

Your stainless steel utensils aren’t just for eating, they can also be used while you (ahem) eat out. Pop some (non-sharp) stainless steel silverware in the fridge or freezer. Then, when it’s playtime, bring them out for a little temperature play, suggests Engle.

Dragging a cold fork along your partner’s back can be an incredible sensation, she says. Meanwhile, circling their nipples with a frozen spoon and a dab of lubricant can also feel amazing.

6. Wooden Spoon

A wooden spoon is perfect for spanking because you can go soft or hard, depending on your partner’s preference, says sex therapist Debra Laino, PhD, an AASECT-certified sex educator.

Just be sure to chat about boundaries ahead of time. Everyone has different force preferences, explains Engle. Even if your partner has expressed they like a lot of impact, start slow. “Work your way up to more intense strokes. Always ask your partner if something feels good or is too rough,” she says. “It can take some time to get your bearings,” she says, so you want to give your partner plenty of time to adjust to the new sensation.

Oh, and avoid using this vaginally or anally, says Engle. “You wouldn’t want to wind up with a splinter internally.”

7. Silicone Spatula

If you don’t have a wooden spoon, or the receiver prefers a sharper spank, Morgan suggests using a silicone spatula. “It creates a different sensation,” she says.

8. Coconut Oil

“Coconut oil makes a fantastic natural lubricant, as it has a really long lasting glide,” says Engle. Just make sure it’s marked as virgin or unrefined, which means it won’t have gone through a ton of processing. Also, make sure not to try this as a lube if you’re using a latex condom—the oil can break down the latex, says Jane Fleishman, PhD, a sexuality educator.

9. Olive Oil

Don’t come from a coconut oil household? Fear not. “Olive oil is also a great lubrication choice. It stays on, and has quite a neutral smell,” says Engle.

Just make sure there is no added flavoring before pouring it all over yourselves. After all, a rosemary-infused option is no good here. The fragrance as well as the texture of the dried herb is likely to result in irritation, as well as pH disruption.

10. Sandwich Baggies

Like the idea of getting all lubed up, but don’t want the mess? Put some coconut oil or olive oil in a sandwich bag and use it to stimulate your partner, or watch them use it to take care of themselves, says Engle.

One quick reminder: if you ultimately decide to ditch the bag mid-stroke and go for penetrative sex, you’ll need to use a non-latex condom so that it doesn’t disintegrate in the oil you’ve used as lube.

Gabrielle Kassel (she/her) is a sex and wellness journalist who writes at the intersection of queerness, sexual health, and pleasure. In addition to Women’s Health, her work has appeared in publications such as Shape, Cosmopolitan, Well+Good, Health, Self, Men’s Health, Greatist, and more! In her free time, Gabrielle can be found coaching CrossFit, reviewing pleasure products, hiking with her border collie, or recording episodes of the podcast she co-hosts called