We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases.
Nipple clamps look a whole lot like some common household items, so you may be tempted to try them out on your nipples or your partner’s, but we can’t recommend using untested doodads on super-sensitive tissue.
Instead, you should buy a professionally developed and manufactured product like the Bondage Boutique Adjustable Tweezer Nipple Clamps. The list price on these is under $20, and we’re sharing our discount code AFF-MSTG10 for 10% off.
Table Of Contents
Why You Should Trust Us
We here at My Sex Toy Guide spend our days (and sometimes our nights) researching and evaluating sex toys, gear, and bondage playthings. We know what’s out there, both good and bad, and that puts us in a position where we can fairly report on the potential of DIY hacks. We’re also fully independent, so we have no reason not to be wholly transparent with our audience.
What Are DIY Nipple Clamps?
Nipple clamps are typically associated with BDSM play, but there is no entrance exam — anyone who wants to use them can certainly do so! They clamp onto the nipples for firm, sustained pressure even when your hands are otherwise occupied. Nipple clamps are truly universal gear that can be used by people of all genders and orientations.
DIY nipple clamps are a homemade version. Most people who want to DIY nipple clamps do not start from scratch, but instead repurpose items from the kitchen, laundry room, or office supply cabinet.
Is Making Homemade Nipple Clamps Safe?
No, it is not safe to make or use homemade nipple clamps. Unlike other BDSM gear, nipple clamps do not need to support body weight and they are not used internally, so you may think that there is little risk in making your own.
However, professionally produced nipple clamps are engineered to deliver just the right amount of pressure/pain. Homemade hacks will not have that level of calibration. They are also likely not made with skin-friendly materials. And, more importantly, they may not be as easy to remove quickly if that becomes necessary.
The Best of What’s Out There
We care about your nipples! We can’t encourage making and using homemade nipple clamps, but we know that there’s a fair bit of interest in DIY gear, so we are here to walk through a few ideas that have a lower potential for harm.
Note that any action you take upon the information on this website is strictly at your own risk, as laid out in our Terms of Service.
1. Clothespins
Clothespins are inexpensive and easily available — most people probably have some in their house already. They are also pretty user-friendly, and because the handles are a decent size, they are easy to position and also easy to release.
We recommend using plastic instead of wood to reduce the risk of splinters. Even better are clothespins designed for use with delicates, since some of them have silicone tips.
2. Tweezers
You can use tweezers to pinch/press nipples; again, if you have ones with silicone tips, they would be best. Make sure that the tweezers are clean and sterilized, and use them to apply gentle force to the nipple.
However, if you like the way that tweezers feel, we recommend Lovehoney’s Tease Me nipple clamps. They are easy to adjust for nipples of all diameters, and unlike tweezers, you can leave them clamped.
3. Paper Clips
Paper clips are something else that nearly every house has plenty of, and they can serve as nipple clips in a pinch (see what we did there?). Bend the paper clip into a “U” shape and use the open end to clamp the nipple. Again, if you have the fancy coated paper clips, they are a better choice than bare wire. We suggest testing your paper clip clamp on a somewhat less sensitive body part first, such as the inner arm or thigh.
4. Chopsticks With Rubber Bands
If you’re DoorDash-ing General Tso’s Chicken for dinner, ask them to throw in a pair or two of chopsticks and then you can have a very special dessert! Of course you’ll want to use clean chopsticks and check them carefully for splinter potential.
You’ll need one set of two chopsticks plus two rubber bands for each clamp. Hold the chopsticks together and wrap the rubber band around the bottom to hold them together securely (the tighter you wrap them, the tighter the clamp will be). Then wrap the second rubber band around the top of the chopstick pair. Repeat with another set of chopsticks to create a second nipple clamp. Pull the chopsticks apart, position them on either side of the nipple, and then let go. The rubber bands will pull the chopsticks together and clamp down on the nipple.
5. Bobby Pins/Hairpins
If possible, we recommend using larger bobby pins; the smaller ones are made of very thin wire and can feel like they are cutting more than pinching. Start by gently separating the two “arms” of the bobby pin and positioning them on either side of your nipple. It is easy to adjust the level of pressure by sliding the bobby pin up and down.
6. Binder Clips
Here’s another way to make the most of your office supplies. Binder clips come in a wide range of sizes, and this is good because nipples do too. It’s also easy to add extra weight to the handles if you want even more pressure, although many people find that the binder clips provide more than enough on their own.
What Not to Do
Sometimes it’s hard to know which DIY BDSM hacks are dangerous because, after all, they are supposed to hurt! But the thing is, they are supposed to hurt in the moment but they are not supposed to damage sensitive tissue (or worse), and that’s why we are concerned about homemade gear.
When it comes to repurposing household or office items as nipple clamps, you definitely want to stay away from alligator clips. They are meant to hold much more than paper clips or binder clips, so they will exert much more force — probably too much for sensitive tissue!
Another “what not to do” is to leave the clips on for extended periods. When you purchase professionally made nipple clamps, they come with instructions and warnings. Ones that you create in your office or laundry room do not. It’s important to know that keeping nipple clamps on for too long can cause nerve damage, and no one wants that! Don’t keep them on for more than 15 minutes, and if you like them very tight, 5-10 minutes is probably safer.
Why Is It Better to Use Commercial Products?
We use BDSM gear on some of the most sensitive areas of our bodies, and that’s why it’s a much better idea to purchase products from reputable manufacturers and retailers. This gear is purpose-built by folks who know what they are doing, and it has been engineered, designed, and constructed to be both safe and pleasurable. Professional products offer better:
- Build Quality: Clothespins, paper clips, and disposable chopsticks are all commodities. They are not made with safety or body-friendliness in mind (which is understandable), and therefore they will not feel nearly as nice on your skin as nipple clamps that were intended to be worn for pleasure.
- Design: Nipple clamps that have been engineered and designed as sex toys frequently have additional features that add to the experience. Many of them are connected by a chain, which not only looks fantastic but also adds versatility because you can then connect the chain to other restraints for a more immersive experience. Other nipple clamps may have vibration features, and the Lovense Gemini below has a dedicated smartphone app for remote control (even long-distance remote control).
- 7 Best Spooning Sex Positions, Ranked by a Sex Educator - August 11, 2026
- 8 Most Quiet Sex Positions - August 8, 2026
- 6 Sex Positions For Lower Back Pain - August 7, 2026
