Deprivation play is risky so it’s absolutely crucial to only use reliable, safe, and well-made products. So rather than making your own ball gag, we recommend purchasing the Bondage Boutique Beginners, which is reasonably priced at $9.99 and trustworthy. With a ball size of 4.7 inches, it gives you the perfect balance between arousal and comfort, allowing for easy breathing during play.
The only reason for making your own is if you live in an area without online adult retailers or walk-in sex shops. If you’re one of those, you can find some semi-safe DIY ball gag ideas below. But you do it at your own risk!
- You must be aware of the risks when engaging in BDSM activities, especially when using items around the house as a ball gag. Deprivation of breath is a serious matter, which is why we recommend investing in professionally designed and tested bondage equipment.
- But we understand that not everyone has access to adult retailers or sex shops, so we recommend some semi-safe options like scarves, belts, and rubber balls below. While these items can be used to enhance the bondage experience, they will not be as effective as professionally designed products and may cause harm if used incorrectly.
Table Of Contents
Why You Should Trust Us
Sandra Larson is a highly experienced BDSM practitioner and educator who has dedicated years to bondage play and BDSM sex toys. Her expertise and knowledge are invaluable when it comes to exploring BDSM sensory play and DIY toys like homemade gags.
Along with Sandra, we have a team of experts (Tim Larson) and sexologists (Rachel Sommers) who are committed to providing accurate, reliable, and safe information. With the help of our team of experts, you can trust that the information we provide is based on years of experience and knowledge.
To submit a question to Sandra, call her at +1 307-372-3895 or send an email to [email protected]. Be sure to include your full name and your phone number or email address.
What Is A DIY Ball Gag?
A DIY ball gag is a DIY BDSM toy made from household materials that’s used to limit the ability of the submissive partner to speak during BDSM play. It consists of a ball, typically made of rubber or silicone, attached to a strap or rope. The ball is placed inside the submissive partner’s mouth and the strap or rope is fastened around their head to keep the ball in place. A gag is often used to intensify the dominant-submissive dynamic by making the submissive user feel more vulnerable and submissive. The dominant can also enjoy the power dynamic that comes from controlling their partner’s ability to speak.
Note: The image above is the Bondage Boutique our highest-rated ball gag. Our testers praised its quality, comfort, flexible strap, and non-porous materials. You can read the full roundup review here.
The use of a ball gag should be safe and consensual and both partners should communicate and agree before incorporating one into their play routine. It’s also important to establish safe words or signals that the submissive user can use to communicate if they are uncomfortable or in distress.
While a ball gag can be made at home with materials like rubber balls, rope, and duct tape, you must ensure that the materials are safe and non-toxic. Additionally, the ball should be the appropriate size for the submissive partner’s mouth to avoid any discomfort or injury.
Is Making a DIY Ball Gag Safe?
No. Making your own ball gag is not safe. While it may seem like a fun and cost-effective option, a homemade gag may not fit properly or cause a malfunction in critical moments. Further, making one requires a certain level of skill and knowledge. There’s also the risk of accidentally inhaling or swallowing small parts or materials during the creation process. So if you’re not experienced with crafting or working with materials it’s better to just get a $10 gag to save you from all the trouble.
Some Semi-Safe Ideas
While we do not promote the use of homemade gags, we understand that some may choose to use them in their sexual activities. Therefore, we have compiled a list of semi-safe ideas you can try at your own risk:
Note: Any action you take upon the information on this website is strictly at your own risk. Please read our Terms of Service to learn more.
1. Rope and Knots
A rope with a strategically placed knot can be a decent ball gag. For this one, we recommend using a soft and pliable rope such as cotton or nylon, to minimize the risk of injury. Additionally, it’s important to use knots that are easy to untie in case of an emergency. We recommend using a simple slip knot or a bowline knot.
Note: If you want a recommendation for a good rope, Bondage Boutique Soft Bondage Rope (product above) is made from non-abrasive cotton and specially woven to flatten against a restrained person’s skin, plus it only costs $16.99. Read more about how it was compared with other products in our best BDSM ropes roundup.
You can also make a knot with a ping pong ball, just make sure to tie it properly to avoid any accidents of suddenly swallowing the ping pong or rope ball. If you can’t find videos to help you make knots, you can try learning how to make monkey fists right here.
2. Belt
A belt is something almost everyone has at home and it’s a quick way to make a semi-safe gag. Secure the belt around your partner’s head and buckle it behind their head. Please ensure not to tie the belt too tight and create a good amount of space for the user’s mouth. Plus, tie it loosely so you can easily remove it if the user can’t breathe comfortably.
3. Pacifier
A pacifier is another decent gag hack. Simply remove the nipple from the pacifier and use the plastic shield as the gag. However, it’s essential to ensure the pacifier is clean and free of any harmful chemicals before using it. Using unclean materials can cause more harm than good.
4. Scarf
Fold the scarf in half and tie a knot in the middle. Then, place the knot in your partner’s mouth and tie the ends of the scarf behind their head. It’s important to ensure the scarf is not too tight so the wearer can still breathe comfortably. A scarf is easy to cut so if things get out of hand, you can use a pair of safety shears to create a hole for them to breathe in their mouth or just cut the knot all the way.
Alternatively, you can also use a scarf as a homemade version of a BDSM blindfold. But if prefer to get the real deal, the Lovehoney Oh! Satin (product above) only costs $7.99, made of an extra-soft satin-like material and lined with plush artificial fur, it’s comfy and great for sensory deprivation play!
5. Dog Collar
You can also use a dog collar as a gag alternative. Remove the metal ring from the collar and replace the hole in it with a rubber ball. To mix things up, you can also use a dog toy with the right length to create a more effective kinky gag. Whatever floats your boat!
A better option is to use a real BDSM collar. You can only use a dog collar for a good number of times after it loses its quality, but a BDSM collar can withstand intense bondage play since they are built for that kind of thing. More on making a DIY BDSM collar in this article.
6. Rubber Ball or Plastic ball
A rubber ball or a plastic ball can be a decent enough gag. Begin with placing the ball in the user’s mouth and tie a piece of string or ribbon around the head to hold the ball in place. But please make sure the rubber or plastic ball is not too big. We also recommend using a plastic ball as a rubber ball made from latex can cause an allergic reaction if they have a latex allergy.
Not Safe at All Ideas
We strongly advise against some gag ideas due to safety concerns. While it may be tempting to use any household items to create a makeshift gag, here are some not-safe-at-all ideas that we recommend avoiding:
Duct Tape
Using duct tape as a gag is very unsafe and not recommended. It can easily stick to the skin and hair, creating immense pain and discomfort when removed. Moreover, it can cause suffocation if not used properly.
Rubber Bands
Same as with duct tape above, using a rubber band is not a good idea when making your own gag. Using rubber bands to tie it around the head or mouth can easily break or snap, causing harm to the mouth or teeth. Furthermore, they can cause choking hazards if accidentally swallowed.
Plastic Bags
Using plastic bags is highly unsafe and can lead to suffocation or even death. They can easily become airtight, restricting airflow and making it difficult to breathe. Even if you have a pair of safety shears ready, it’s best to keep your partner safe by avoiding the use of plastic bags altogether in your BDSM sessions.
How to Use a DIY Ball Gag?
Using a ball gag requires communication and consent between the people involved. So before your session, ensure the wearer is comfortable with the idea and has given explicit consent. You should also establish a safe word or signal before starting the session to ensure the wearer can communicate if they need to stop.
If the user experiences any difficulty breathing, the gag should be removed immediately. We also recommend having safety shears nearby in case of an emergency.
Drooling is a common side effect of using a gag so we recommend keeping a towel or cloth nearby to wipe away any excess saliva. Your partner should also be positioned in a way that prevents choking on their own saliva.
Humiliation can be a part of the experience for some people. However, you must be aware that the humiliation is consensual and does not cross any boundaries. The person in charge should be aware of the wearer’s limits and respect them at all times.
Finally, using a ball gag requires communication, consent, and awareness of the wearer’s comfort and safety. Ensure that the user can breathe comfortably, have a towel or cloth nearby to wipe away drool, and respect their limits.
Why Is it Better To Buy a Commercial Product?
As much as we love good ol’ DIY projects, certain things are better left to the professionals. Especially hacking together a ball gag. While it may seem like a simple thing to make, there are several reasons why it’s better to buy a real product instead of making one yourself.
Safety
A poorly made ball gag can be dangerous and cause serious harm. A commercial ball gag, on the other hand, is designed with safety in mind and made from materials that are safe to use like silicone. It’s also less likely to break or malfunction during play, which can prevent accidents and injuries. Using silicone or other body-safe materials lessens the chances of you suffering from irritation.
The Bondage Boutique Faux Snakeskin is not only safe, but it’s also the fanciest in our test roundup. Safety and fanciness don’t go hand in hand but when you get an authentic ball gag, you get the best of both worlds.
Variety
When you buy a real gag, you have a wide variety of options to choose from. You can buy different sizes for the ball, shapes, and materials for the ball and strap to find what’s right for you. A gag you create at home, on the other hand, is limited by your creativity and resourcefulness. You may not be able to find the right materials or create a design that’s safe and effective.
What’s speak variety more than a customizable ball gag? The Fetish Fantasy (image above) is an amazingly effective way to go from a newbie to an experienced player without having to buy more than one breathable ball gag.
Cost
While it may seem like making a DIY ball gag is a cost-effective option, it may actually end up costing you more in the long run as high-quality toys last a long time. Plus, if you use the wrong materials or create an unsafe design, you may end up causing harm to the user. This can result in medical or legal bills that are far higher than the cost of buying a legit ball gag.
Sandra
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