'I was making dinner and a carrot was on the counter': The Aussies using household items as sex toys.

"Carrots, cucumbers and most round veggies, hairbrushes, shower-heads, toothbrushes (electric), and even a mobile phone," 25-year-old Jess Neary lists off to Mamamia.

What do all these things have in common, you might be wondering? 

Well, they're the household objects that Australians are using for self-pleasure, on their own at home and with their partners. And Jess is not alone.

Recent research from sex toy company Lovehoney found that one in three Australians are DIY-ing their pleasure tools at home. 

The most common items used include pillows, shower heads, vegetables, gloves and even socks. Other people interviewed said they used massage guns, torches, makeup brushes, shampoo bottles, vacuum cleaners and broom handles. 

So—is the cozzie livs crisis really so dire that we can't afford sex toys? After all, the high end ones can go for up to $300?

Image: Getty

In fact, the research suggests that using household items is often more of a spur of the moment decision, with a third of household item users claiming they just didn't have any sex toys handy at the time. A quarter said they were inspired to experiment having seen them be used in movies and TV. 

For Neary, her use of household items in sexual pleasure started at a young age, before she had access to specially-designed sex toys. 

"When I was younger I would say [I used them] at least weekly," she tells Mamamia. "However now that I am older and can afford sex toys I use them less regularly. 

Yet, there remains some allure in turning something seemingly innocuous into a pleasure-giving tool. 

"It's fun to experiment and try new things. It also adds an element of taboo, which is sometimes fun!" she says. "I have found that it can be fun to use them in times of need."

One such time of need occurred when she was cooking dinner for her partner in the nude. It quickly became a different kind of treat. 

"There have been times when I have been making dinner naked in my partner's home and he gets a fun little idea," she recounts. 

"One time I was making us dinner and there was a carrot on the counter, the cooking was paused and he ended up bending me over the counter and f*cking me with the carrot on the counter."

While Neary isn't afraid to use household items, she does admit that the level of pleasure they offer is not as good as specially-designed sex toys. 

"They are good in their own unique way. I personally prefer sex toys," she says. 

While consensual play can be fun, Lovehoney's sex and relationships expert Christine Rafe is keen to emphasise the importance of safety when experimenting with household objects. 

"There's a lot of room for error in misusing household items for pleasure," she tells Mamamia.

"When we're talking about delicate areas and using products that aren't fit for purpose, a lot of these can have repercussions. If you're feeling adventurous, do a little research on how to play it safe, or better yet, invest in a purpose-made sex toy." 

In fact, it's so common for people to have incidents with their household objects that a website published a story last year titled, 'What did we get stuck in our rectums last year?' including an X-ray shot of a walking cane stuck in a pelvis.

"Ultimately, while creativity can be fun, investing in purpose-made sex toys is the safest and most satisfying option. These products are crafted from safe materials and specifically designed for intimate use, providing peace of mind along with pleasure," Rafe added. 

Image: Getty

Despite the warnings, Neary says that using household objects isn't anything to be embarrassed about. 

"I think anyone who says they haven't experimented with household items might need to realise that it is extremely normal to want to experiment sexually," she says. 

"I do not feel embarrassed at all. I thoroughly enjoy exploring all areas of my sexuality. I think it is time to normalise sex and remove the stigma from it. I think the world would be a happier place if people had more pleasure more regularly."

For those who can't help but wonder, this is her ultimate list of pleasure-giving household items, revealed: 

• Shower head: "Change the setting to the closest thing that makes the water gush. Play around with distance."

• Toothbrush: "The back of an electric toothbrush on the clit is also chef's kiss. Great and underrated."

• Mobile apps: "I used to download an app that was a vibrator app. That would make your phone vibrate constantly."

• Vegetables: "Any long round vegetables can be used as a dildo—don't be afraid to put a condom on it though! That's what I do most of the time!"

Of course, if you're in the market for something that is an actual sex toy, then you can shop here.

Featured Image: Lovehoney/Getty