Sticky, musty, or no longer charging: common problems with 18+ items
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
6 min reading time
Sticky surface, a musty smell or a battery that no longer charges: the most common complaints with 18+ items, with the probable cause per complaint and what you can do about it.
You take something out of a drawer that you haven't used for six months, and something isn't right. The surface feels sticky. Or there's a musty smell around it. Or you press the button and nothing happens, even though it was on the charger yesterday. Annoying, but in most cases also explainable — and sometimes fixable.
Below are the complaints we most often see with 18+ items, with an explanation of what is likely wrong and what you can do about it for each complaint. No guesswork about health: purely material, technique, and maintenance.
The surface feels sticky or greasy
This is by far the most frequently asked question, and usually it concerns an item made of TPE or TPR — a soft, flexible material that feels pleasant but is porous. Porous means: the material has microscopic openings where moisture, oil, and soap residues can penetrate. After a while, some of that comes out again and feels sticky.
What you can do:
Wash the item with lukewarm water without soap and dry it completely with a lint-free cloth.
Let it air dry on a clean cloth, not in a sealed bag.
If it remains sticky and the surface crumbles, the material has reached the end of its lifespan. Porous materials do not last indefinitely; silicone, glass, and metal last much longer.
It has a musty or chemical smell
A new smell you notice when unpacking is different from a smell that develops after months. The first is characteristic of the material and usually disappears after washing and airing. The second almost always indicates moisture: the item was stored before it was completely dry, or it was in a sealed bag or box where moisture could not escape.
The sequence to prevent this is simple: clean, dry completely, and only then store. Completely dry also means the seams, the button edges, and the charging contact. Then store it in a breathable bag or a box with some air around it, not in an airtight zip-lock bag.
Also, do not store items made of different materials touching each other. TPE and soft plastics can react with each other, discolour, or stick together if they are in contact for months.
It no longer charges
For rechargeable items, there are three places where things go wrong, in this order of probability.
The cable. Thin, included charging cables are often the first to break, usually precisely at the bend next to the plug. Test with another cable before concluding that the item is broken. To prevent it from happening again, slide a cable protector over that bending point; a set of 4 costs € 1.95.
The charging contact. Many models charge via two magnetic pins or a pin-connector. If there are lubricant or soap residues on them, the charger will no longer make contact. Clean the contact points dry with a cotton swab. No moisture, no cleaner, just dry wiping.
The battery. A lithium battery that lies completely discharged in a drawer for months can become so deeply discharged that it no longer wakes up. There is nothing more that can be done about it. If you want to prevent this with items you rarely use: charge them a few times a year. On the go or without an outlet nearby, you can do this with a 3000 mAh power bank (€ 14.95).
It runs on batteries and is getting weaker
Does it feel like the motor has less power than before, while the item still turns on? Then nine out of ten times the batteries are almost dead. They still provide just enough voltage to start, but no longer for full power.
Replace them first and only then assess whether the item has truly deteriorated. For devices you rarely use, loose AAA batteries are fine: Panasonic AAA zinc, 4 pieces costs € 9.95, and a larger stock can be bought with Dynamic Energy AAA, 16 pieces for € 5.95.
Another habit that prevents a lot of damage: remove the batteries if you are not using something for a long time. Leaking batteries corrode the contacts in the battery compartment, and that is usually irreparable.
The lubricant feels different than before
Water-based lubricant dries out during use and then becomes stickier. This is normal product behaviour and not a defect: a little water makes it smooth again. If it becomes thicker from the bottle or separates, the expiration date has probably passed or the bottle has been open or too warm for too long.
Check the packaging for the open-jar symbol with a number and the letter M in it: this indicates how many months the product remains good after opening. Small bottles are therefore often wiser than one large bottle that you cannot empty in two years.
If you are using a silicone item, follow the manufacturer's instructions on which type of lubricant is allowed. Many manufacturers advise against silicone lubricant on silicone because it can make the surface dull or sticky. Water-based is the safe choice in that case.
The remote control or app no longer works
If the remote control no longer works, check three things. First, the battery of the remote control itself — this is often a coin cell that lasts for years and then suddenly dies. Second, the distance and obstacles: a wall, a blanket, or a bag between transmitter and receiver halves the range in practice. Third, the pairing: with many models, you need to reconnect after the item has been completely discharged, usually by turning both parts off and on again within a short time frame.
When it's really over
Some things are not malfunctions but wear and tear. Cracks or pits in the surface, an open seam, discoloration that won't go away, or a battery compartment with white residue: these are signals to replace rather than repair. A damaged surface can no longer be properly cleaned, no matter how often you wipe it.
Cleaners and care products can be found under toy cleaners and intimate hygiene, lubricant under lubricant, and batteries and chargers under batteries and chargers. Not sure which cleaning agent suits the material of your item? Email the product name or material to info@verpakkingdeals.nl, and we will find out for you. All orders are shipped in neutral packaging.
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