A good intimate device is built to last for years, and the manufacturers say so in the only way that counts — in writing. Dame covers its devices for three years. Fun Factory covers its powered products for two. LELO and Magic Wand each cover one year. Satisfyer, unusually, covers fifteen.
Those are warranties against faulty workmanship or materials. They are not a promise that the object is indestructible, and they say nothing about wear. The difference between a device that lasts five years and one that fails in eighteen months is almost always the care it received.
This is a short guide to the right care, and the small mistakes worth avoiding.
The fundamentals
Clean after every use. Warm water and mild, unscented soap. Pat dry with a soft cloth. Store somewhere dry, dark, and dust-free.
Use water-based lubricant with silicone devices. Silicone-based lubricants gradually degrade silicone surfaces, leaving them tacky and harder to keep clean. Keep the two apart. Our Lubricants collection is organised by base, so you can start from that decision.
Store each device separately. If yours came with a pouch, use it. If not, a clean cloth bag or a dedicated drawer compartment does the same job. Loose silicone objects in a drawer attract dust and friction, both of which dull the finish over time.
That's the entire core of it. The rest is detail.
What "mild soap" actually means
Most everyday soaps are too harsh for silicone over time. Look for:
- Unscented or fragrance-free
- pH-balanced, close to neutral
- Free of antibacterial additives
- Free of essential oils
A simple unfragranced hand soap works, as does a dedicated cleaner — we keep a few in Toy Cleaners. Avoid scented body washes, hand sanitiser, alcohol-based cleaners, and antibacterial soaps containing triclosan.
If you're uncertain, the rule is: if it's gentle enough for sensitive skin, it's gentle enough for silicone.
Boiling, dishwashers, and UV sterilisers
For most products, no.
Boiling can be appropriate for silicone-only items — but only where the manufacturer explicitly says so. Most powered devices contain electronics and batteries that won't survive submersion in boiling water, even when the silicone shell is rated waterproof.
Dishwashers combine high heat, harsh detergents, and prolonged exposure. Skip them entirely.
UV sterilisers work on the silicone surface but won't reach internal components. They complement soap-and-water cleaning rather than replacing it.
For everyday cleaning, warm water and mild soap is enough. The waterproofing on a well-made device is designed for exactly this.
How to store
Dry completely before storage. Trapped moisture in a charging port or button gap is the most common cause of premature failure. Pat dry, then leave the device out for fifteen minutes before putting it away.
Keep silicone away from silicone. Some silicones, particularly less-pure formulations, can react when stored in direct contact with each other, leaving sticky patches or surface degradation. Medical-grade silicone is more stable, but the safest practice is to keep each device separate.
Avoid direct sunlight and heat. A drawer is fine. A car dashboard in summer is not. Silicone is heat-stable, but prolonged UV exposure will fade colours and may eventually affect surface texture.
A note on charging
If your device is rechargeable, charge it fully before first use, and store it at roughly half charge if you won't use it for several months. Lithium batteries hold up best at partial charge — left fully discharged or fully charged for long periods, their lifespan shortens.
Use the cable that came in the box rather than a third-party replacement. Charging voltage is calibrated to the device.
What to do if something goes wrong
If a device stops charging, develops a rattle, or behaves unexpectedly, write to us at hello@imperiabrand.com with your order number and a description of the issue.
Within 30 days of delivery, deal with us directly and we will replace it. After that, the manufacturer's warranty applies and we coordinate the claim on your behalf and stay involved until it is resolved.
Wear and tear isn't covered by any manufacturer. Genuine defects in workmanship or materials are.
One thing worth knowing, because the category is careless about it: a "quality guarantee" is not a warranty. Some manufacturers offer the right to buy a replacement at a discount after the warranty expires. That is a discount, not cover, whatever the box implies. The number that matters is the warranty period.
A final note
The objects we sell are made well. They're built to be in your life for years, not seasons. Treat them the way you'd treat a piece of good cookware — with the small daily care that lets them outlast their warranty.
The care is simple. The reward is years of reliable use.
