Posted on

Buying notes: the lines that matter

A few short care and buying notes, gathered from the questions customers ask most often.

Oil-based lubricant

Oil-based lubricant in one line: not with latex condoms included. Beyond the label, it degrades latex within minutes.

Manufacturers publish their own guidance in the box, and that overrides any general note.

When in doubt, choose the simpler and smaller option first; it is the one least likely to come back. That is the whole of Oil-based lubricant for most buyers.

Boiling silicone

Boiling silicone: the line most people need is three to five minutes, in a rolling boil. In practice, only for toys with no motor, battery or electronics.

That is a general figure for UK retail rather than a rule; the product listing takes precedence.

Clean before first use as well as after; new items carry factory residue. Knowing this about Boiling silicone prevents most returns.

Water-based lubricant

A short note on Water-based lubricant. Expect safe with every material including silicone; the point is that it dries faster than the alternatives, so keep it to hand.

Treat it as a starting point. Materials, brands and body differences all move it.

Read the material line on the listing before anything else; it decides cleaning, lubricant and lifespan. In short, Water-based lubricant is worth a minute before you order.

Travel locks

If you are looking into Travel locks, start here: a button hold, of three to five seconds. What matters is that it stops the motor switching on in a bag.

Manufacturers publish their own guidance in the box, and that overrides any general note.

Keep the order email; it is the proof of purchase for any warranty or return. That is the whole of Travel locks for most buyers.

Temperature play

Temperature play in one line: glass and steel warmed or cooled in water. Beyond the label, never use a microwave or freezer, and test on the wrist first.

That is a general figure for UK retail rather than a rule; the product listing takes precedence.

If something changes texture, smell or colour, retire it; that is the material telling you it is done. Knowing this about Temperature play prevents most returns.

Motorised items

Motorised items: the line most people need is wipe, never submerge, unless rated waterproof. In practice, an IPX7 rating means it can go under water, splash-proof does not.

Treat it as a starting point. Materials, brands and body differences all move it.

When in doubt, choose the simpler and smaller option first; it is the one least likely to come back. In short, Motorised items is worth a minute before you order.

TPE and jelly materials

A short note on TPE and jelly materials. Expect porous by nature; the point is that they cannot be sterilised, so they need a condom or replacing more often.

Manufacturers publish their own guidance in the box, and that overrides any general note.

Clean before first use as well as after; new items carry factory residue. That is the whole of TPE and jelly materials for most buyers.

Couples’ items

If you are looking into Couples’ items, start here: app or remote control, with a stated range. What matters is that walls and pockets cut the range on the box in half.

That is a general figure for UK retail rather than a rule; the product listing takes precedence.

Read the material line on the listing before anything else; it decides cleaning, lubricant and lifespan. Knowing this about Couples’ items prevents most returns.

Figures are general UK retail guidance; the product listing and the manufacturer’s leaflet take precedence.

This note is part of the shop’s search lab, a set of short care and buying notes used to study how search engines read pages.