The One Product Most People Skip — and Shouldn't
Lubricant is the most consistently skipped essential in adult toy use, and it has the single largest impact on comfort and toy longevity. Even high-quality silicone toys cause friction without lube. Even short sessions become uncomfortable without it. And using the wrong lubricant type with the wrong toy material causes permanent surface damage within a few uses. The difference between a good experience and a frustrating one often comes down to what you add to the toy, not just which toy you choose.
Water-Based vs Silicone Lubricant — Which to Use and When
This is the most important distinction in the essentials category. Getting it wrong damages toys and reduces effectiveness.
| Property | Water-Based Lube | Silicone-Based Lube |
|---|---|---|
| Safe with silicone toys? | Yes — always | No — degrades silicone surface over time |
| Safe with ABS plastic toys? | Yes | Yes |
| Safe with glass toys? | Yes | Yes |
| How long it lasts | Shorter — absorbs into skin, may need reapplication | Longer — water-resistant, stays slippery |
| Clean-up | Soap and water — easy | Requires soap — slightly harder to remove |
| Condom compatibility | Yes — safe with latex and polyisoprene | Generally no — can degrade latex condoms |
| Best use case | All toy materials; with condoms; sensitive skin | Non-silicone toys; extended sessions; water play |
The practical rule: If your toy is silicone — which describes the majority of quality toys — use water-based lubricant only. If you are unsure what material your toy is made from, use water-based. It is compatible with everything.
At Sexy Devil, we stock the Four Seasons Pure Water-Based Lubricant (500ml, $23.95) as our most popular everyday option. It is unflavoured, unscented, and compatible with all toy materials and condoms. For longer sessions, Pjur Aqua water-based lube uses a glycerin-free formula that lasts considerably longer than standard water-based products without switching to silicone.
How to Clean Your Toys Properly — and What Damages Them
Cleaning method depends on whether the toy is motorised and whether it is rated waterproof. Using the wrong method either leaves bacteria on the surface or destroys the motor.
| Toy Type | Correct Cleaning Method | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof motorised (silicone, ABS) | Rinse under warm water with mild soap, or spray with antibacterial toy cleaner. Dry fully before storing. | Deep submersion beyond waterproof rating; bleach; alcohol |
| Non-waterproof motorised | Spray toy cleaner onto a cloth and wipe surface. Do not run under water. | Any direct water near the charging port or motor housing |
| Non-motorised silicone or glass | Warm water and mild soap. Glass can be boiled for full sterilisation. | Silicone-based cleaners; abrasive cloths |
| Non-motorised ABS plastic | Warm water and soap, or toy cleaner spray. | Boiling — ABS warps at high heat |
Toy cleaner spray is the fastest and most consistent method for motorised toys because it eliminates the risk of water entering the motor. A 100ml bottle typically covers 40–60 cleaning sessions.
What Happens When You Use the Wrong Essentials
- Silicone lube on a silicone toy: The two silicone compounds bond at a molecular level on prolonged contact. The toy surface becomes tacky, then sticky, then begins to degrade permanently. Once this happens it cannot be reversed. This typically becomes visible after 5–10 uses with silicone lube, but the degradation starts on the first application.
- Alcohol or bleach on silicone: Both dry out silicone, causing cracking and surface degradation over time. A soft silicone toy cleaned repeatedly with alcohol hand sanitiser will become hard and brittle within months.
- Skipping cleaning entirely: Non-porous materials do not absorb bacteria, but bacteria accumulate on the surface and transfer on next use. Toy cleaner spray takes 10 seconds — there is no practical argument for skipping it.
- Storing toys without drying: Moisture trapped in storage pouches creates conditions for mould growth on the pouch fabric and surface degradation. Dry completely before storing.
Other Essentials Worth Having
Massage oils and candles: Separate from toy lubricants — massage oils are not compatible with most toys or condoms, but they are excellent for warming up, relaxing, or extending intimacy. Keep massage oil separate for body massage only; never use it as toy lubricant.
Storage pouches and cases: Storing toys loose in a drawer in contact with each other can cause material degradation — some silicone formulations react when pressed against other silicone. A separate pouch for each toy also keeps dust and lint off surfaces between uses.
When Essentials Are Not Worth Buying From Us
- If you need a single 100ml travel lube immediately: Any Chemist Warehouse or Priceline stocks small Durex lubricant bottles. For an urgent one-off need, walk-in retail is faster than online shipping.
- If you need a fertility-friendly lubricant formula: Pre-Seed and similar conception lubricants are available at pharmacies and are outside our essentials range focus.
- If you already have 500ml of water-based lube at home: There is no reason to reorder until it runs low. Lubricant stored at room temperature out of direct sunlight typically lasts 2–3 years unopened.
Related Collections
- Water-Based Lubricants — Full range of water-based formulas, safe with all toy materials
- Vibrators — All body-safe vibrators; water-based lube required for silicone models
- Female Sex Toys — Full range for her, pairs with water-based lube
- Male Sex Toys — Pocket pussies and masturbators; most require water-based lube
- Dildos — Silicone dildos require water-based lubricant only
What is the best vibrator for beginners in Australia?
A bullet vibrator is the recommended starting point for most first-time buyers. They are small (7–9 cm), affordable ($19.95–$39.95 at
Sexy Devil), external-use only, and require no positioning or anatomy fit. Once comfortable with external stimulation, you can progress to clitoral suction
stimulators, G-spot vibrators, or rabbit vibrators depending on what you want to explore.
Do vibrators from Sexy Devil require lubricant?
For external use, lubricant is optional but often reduces friction and improves comfort. For insertable vibrators, lubricant is
recommended. Use water-based lubricant only with silicone vibrators — silicone-based lube will degrade the surface over time. ABS plastic vibrators are compatible
with both water-based and silicone-based formulas. Sexy Devil stocks water-based lubricants in our Essentials section from $23.95 for 500ml.
How are vibrators packaged when shipped in Australia?
Every Sexy Devil order ships in plain, unmarked packaging. Nothing on the outside indicates the contents. The return address uses a
neutral business name. Your bank or credit card statement will show a neutral merchant name — not Sexy Devil. We dispatch from Melton, VIC and ship to all
Australian addresses including PO boxes.
How do I clean a vibrator after use?
For waterproof vibrators: rinse with warm water and mild soap or spray with an antibacterial toy cleaner, rinse thoroughly, dry
completely before storing. For non-waterproof vibrators: spray toy cleaner onto a cloth and wipe the surface — do not run under water as it can damage the motor
housing. Never use alcohol, bleach, or household cleaners on silicone. Always dry completely before storage.
What is the difference between a vibrator and a clitoral stimulator?
All clitoral stimulators are vibrators, but not all vibrators are designed specifically for the clitoris. "Clitoral stimulator" refers
to toys optimised for external clitoral stimulation — including bullets, air-pulse suction toys, and small precision vibrators. Wands and G-spot vibrators are
technically vibrators but are not specifically optimised for clitoral stimulation in the same targeted way.