Here's why:
* Sex is a biological concept: It applies to living organisms, not inanimate objects.
* Gender is a social construct: It's often applied to humans, but it's not relevant to things.
Instead of searching for a single noun, you might consider:
* Using descriptive terms: "Inanimate objects," "non-living things," "things without gender"
* Specifying the type of object: "Tools," "furniture," "appliances"
It's important to avoid language that reinforces the idea that objects have genders. This can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and limit our understanding of the world.