Reference
Lubricant compatibility
Three rules cover most of it. The grid is for the combinations that fall outside them.
Oil destroys latex. Silicone lubricant can damage silicone objects. Water based works with everything. Those three sentences answer nearly every question in this area, and the grid below covers the remainder, including coatings and barrier methods that are easy to overlook.
| Water based | Silicone | Hybrid | Oil | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone objects | Yes | No | Usually, test first | No |
| Coated rigid plastic | Yes | Test first | Test first | No |
| Uncoated rigid plastic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not advised |
| Glass | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless steel | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TPE and blends | Yes | No | Test first | No |
| Sealed wood | Yes | Test first | Test first | No |
| Latex condoms | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Polyisoprene condoms | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Polyurethane condoms | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check the maker |
| Nitrile gloves | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Latex gloves and barriers | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Testing a combination
- Clean and dry the object.
- Put a small amount of lubricant on the base or another unused area.
- Leave it for at least an hour.
- Wipe it off and feel the surface. Tackiness, swelling or a dull patch means no.
Why the silicone rule exists
Silicone lubricant and silicone objects share a chemical family, and prolonged contact can swell the surface of the object. Not every pair reacts, but the ones that do are permanently damaged, and testing every new combination is more effort than keeping a bottle of water based lubricant beside the drawer. The silicone page covers the detail.
Barriers as a shortcut
A condom over an object removes every compatibility question except oil against latex, and it converts a porous surface into a disposable one. For shared use, for blends, and for anyone who would rather not think about the grid at all, it is the simplest answer available.
Shelf life and storage
Water based formulas have the shortest shelf life, since water supports growth and the preservative system has a working lifetime. Silicone and oil formulas last far longer. In every case the bottle should be closed, kept out of sunlight and not stored somewhere that swings between hot and cold, which separates emulsions and ruins hybrids in particular.
A formula that has separated, changed colour or developed a smell goes in the bin whatever the date on the bottle says. Applying it to mucous membrane is not the place to find out whether it is still sound.
Sachets are worth a mention. Single use packets are the cheapest way to test several formulas before committing to a bottle, and most specialist retailers stock them. They also travel better than any bottle, which is the other situation where they earn their place.