Which Plasticizer Makes the Softest, Longest-Lasting PVC? A Deep Dive Into DOTP, DINCH, TOTM, ATBC & DBS
A quick guide to PVC plasticizers
DOTP vs. DINCH vs. TOTM vs. ATBC vs. DBS: which makes the best inflatable?
Anyone who loves inflatables — especially for riding and playing — eventually notices something: there’s a difference between inflatables and their PVC!👀
Some toys stay soft and rubbery for years, while others become sticky, stiff, or a bit brittle (we don’t like that very much…don’t we?😳) This difference almost always comes down to one ingredient:
The plasticizer. (In Dutch: weekmaker - translated roughly to: softener).
Plasticizers determine:
- how soft an inflatable feels
- how resistant the material is to cracking
- how quickly it becomes sticky over time
- how safe it is for skin or intimate use (very important, since some are toxic)
- how easily it leaks plasticizer (“oily feel”)
- how long the inflatable will survive. I’ve used soooo much ATBC for some inflatables that they popped with a very dull ‘blof’-sound within seconds. With our famous blue pillow , inflatable itself was tough as nails to begin with so it could take more than the avarage amount!
Below is a fully detailed comparison of the five most relevant modern plasticizers for PVC inflatables:
- DOTP — the modern standard
- ATBC — a soft, natural citrate (I got experience with this one, the rest I checked online😉)
- DBS — extremely soft, but unstable🚨⚠️
- DINCH — premium, medical-grade
- TOTM — ultra-stable, long-term performer
⭐ Plasticizer Comparison Table: DOTP vs ATBC vs DBS vs DINCH vs TOTM
The rating scale:
★★★★★ excellent
★★★★☆ very good
★★★☆☆ moderate
★★☆☆☆ weak
★☆☆☆☆ poor
PVC Softness & Durability Overview
| Property / Softener | DOTP | ATBC | DBS | DINCH | TOTM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Terephthalate | Citrate | Sebacate | Cyclohexanoate | Trimellitate |
| Softness (initial) | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Softness (after years) | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Migration / Oily Bleed | ★★☆☆☆ (low) | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ (high) | ★★☆☆☆ (low) | ★★☆☆☆ (very low) |
| Durability | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Stickiness Risk | Low | Medium | High | Very low | Very low |
| Suitable for inflatables? | Yes, ideal | Good, but not long-term | No | Yes, premium | Yes, very premium |
| Price Level | Low | Medium | Medium | High | High |
| Phthalate-Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Safe for skin contact | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Temperature resistance | Good | Moderate | Poor | Good | Excellent |
| Odor / Volatility | Low | Medium | High | Very low | Very low |
🏆 Best Plasticizer — Depending on What You Want
For standard inflatables:
DOTP
- great softness
- reliable lifespan
- low migration
- very affordable
Perfect for pool toys, pillows, ride-ons🤤
For premium or professional-grade PVC:
DINCH or TOTM
They offer:
- extremely low migration
- stable softness over the years
- high skin safety
- almost no smell
- fantastic clarity
Medical-grade gear often uses DINCH; industrial high-end PVC often uses TOTM.
For maximum softness (short-term toys):
DBS
Incredibly soft and sensual at first touch.
But… it:
- bleeds out heavily
- becomes sticky
- hardens over time
- weakens the PVC
Not recommended for inflatables that need to last. Maybe for the poppers among us that this sparks the arousal even more😉
For small soft items or wearable PVC:
ATBC
A natural citrate-based plasticizer that’s very skin-friendly.
But it loses plasticizer over time and becomes stiffer.
Best for:
- thin PVC
- lingerie PVC
- sensory items
- short-lifespan products(it works for longer lasting inflas as well, but prepare for a lot of repair work!)
🔍 Quick Summary
- DOTP = best all-around choice
- DINCH = modern premium
- TOTM = ultra-stable, professional-grade
- ATBC = soft, natural, less durable
- DBS = extremely soft but unstable
For most inflatables — especially rider-friendly ones — DOTP or DINCH propably is the sweet spot.
Final Thoughts & disclaimer
Softening would not be recommended if you are a true collector; the process could break your beloved toy if you aren’t careful. I’d recommend trying it out with a ‘dummy’ toy or let the softening be applied by an experienced looner from the community🎈
So…the right plasticizer can be the difference between:
- a soft pillow that stays supple for 10+ years
- or one that becomes sticky, oily, or cracks after just a few seasons and popping too soon.
Now you have the ‘scientific’ insight to softening. Want to see softened / plasticized inflatables in action, check our Patreon .