Which combinations go wrong? Matching lubricant, material, and cleaning
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
5 min reading time
An item that becomes sticky or discolored is usually not a manufacturing defect but an incorrect combination. Which lubricant suits which material, how to clean, and what not to store together.
An item that feels sticky after six months, has developed a dull spot, or is slightly discolored where it rested against something else: this is almost never a manufacturing defect. It's usually an incorrect combination. Of material with lubricant, of two materials with each other, or of a cleaning agent with a surface that cannot withstand it.
This article is about those combinations. Not about which item to choose, but about what you buy with it and how you store it — the part where most bad purchases arise.
The most common mistake: silicone on silicone
Silicone-based lubricant and a silicone item are chemically related. With prolonged contact, the lubricant can affect the surface of the item: it becomes sticky or dull and starts to attract dirt. Manufacturers of silicone items therefore almost without exception advise using water-based lubricant with them.
Oil is another category. A massage oil such as the coconut massage oil in a squeeze bottle, 100 ml (€9.95) is intended for the skin, not as a lubricant for items. Two reasons to keep them separate.
Firstly: oil is difficult to remove. On a porous material, it soaks in and remains, even after rinsing. Secondly, there is the well-known warning about latex — manufacturers of latex condoms indicate that oil-based products can damage the material. If you use condoms, read the leaflet of that specific brand; it will state which lubricants are and are not recommended.
If you want to use oil for massage and something for after, the simplest thing is to have two bottles next to each other instead of using one for both.
Porous or not: that determines how you clean
Materials that do not absorb moisture — silicone, glass, stainless steel — can be thoroughly cleaned. Materials that do absorb some moisture will always retain something, no matter how well you rinse. That is the most important distinction you make when purchasing, more important than color or price.
For cleaning itself, a product intended for that purpose works more pleasantly than dish soap, because it doesn't leave a film. Odorless toy cleaner, 120 ml costs €7.95 and is the logical choice if you are sensitive to odors; toy cleaner spray Clean & Play, 150 ml costs €8.95 and sprays more easily over a larger area.
Three points that most often go wrong during cleaning:
Skipping seams and edges. Especially with items consisting of two parts or having a relief, most remains there.
Not drying. Storing moist is the quickest way to get a musty-smelling item. Let it air dry completely before putting it away.
Submerging what is not waterproof. Items with a charging port or battery compartment are often not fully waterproof. If no waterproofing is specified, wipe it down instead of holding it under the tap.
What you don't store together
The discolorations and soft spots that people discover usually arise in the drawer. Two items made of different plastics that lie against each other for months can react with each other; one releases color, the other becomes sticky in that spot. This is a slow process, which is why it is noticed late.
The solution is not complicated: store everything separately. A cotton bag per item is enough, or a box with compartments. A second consideration is temperature — do not place anything near a radiator, in a car, or in direct sunlight on a windowsill.
Materials that are least sensitive to this are the hard ones: glass and metal do not react to their neighbors. An item like the stainless steel butt plug with ashtray design (€39.95) requires the least care in this regard, although its weight and the fact that metal takes on temperature are things to consider beforehand.
A thirty-second check
Before ordering something you will use alongside an existing item, review these four questions:
What material is the item made of? If not in the title, then on the product page or box.
What is the base of my lubricant? Water, silicone, or oil. When in doubt: water-based is the safest standard.
Can it be fully submerged in water? Determines how you clean it.
Where do I store it? Separately, dry, out of the sun.
If you want to try out which lubricant you like without immediately buying a 150 ml bottle, small quantities are practical. For shops and rentals, there is a bulk pack: lubricant in 7 ml sachets, 120 pieces for €59.95. And if you work with specific gel for anal use, then Lotus Flower anal lubricant gel, 150 ml (€7.95) is the thicker variant.
Finally: this article is about materials and maintenance, not health. If you have a skin reaction or are unsure about an ingredient, read the label and consult a doctor or pharmacist if necessary.
Get started
The full range of lubricants can be found under Lubricants, cleaners under Toy Cleaners and Intimate Hygiene. The items themselves can be found under Erotica. Not sure what material an item is made of or which lubricant suits it? Email the product name to info@verpakkingdeals.nl, and we'll look it up for you. Orders are shipped in neutral packaging.
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