Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with lubricant

Safe lubricants?

zeek321 — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:13:45 -0800

Natural, safe lubricant? NSFW It seems like the latest trend in lubricants (whether for anal sex or otherwise) is to minimize the number of chemical-sounding ingredients (yes, I know everything is a "chemical") and then add one really nasty preservative. I really don't like the idea of certain things drying out on skin and sitting inside moist, mucous-membrane lined orifices for hours. Case in point, though not to single out this brand:

http://store.babeland.com/safe-sex-lubes/sliquid-sassy-anal-lube

Polyquat whatever, fine, but this:

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=702196&nothanks=1

Seriously? I'm not sure I care that it's the last ingredient and probably an infinitesimal amount.

I've tried:
http://www.yesyesyes.org/
http://www.fireflyorganics.com/

These meet my safety criteria, but, not surprisingly, they don't have the consistency of the more synthetic lubes. What I really want is an astroglide made of sunbeams and rainbows.

So, is there anyone out there as paranoid as me that has found a water-based lube that's reasonable in terms of both safety and performance for vaginal intercourse and anal sex?

Learning How to Like Coffee, and How to Like Beer

WCityMike — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:34:41 -0800

There are two beverages that nearly every American adult seems to like, but I dislike both: coffee and beer. I would like to develop a taste for both of them. For morning caffeine, coffee's free at most workplaces whereas pop isn't; and beer is a cheap mood alterer; but more importantly, both are social lubricants, one that isn't achieved by drinking a soda while others get either awake, buzzed or drunk. It's been a while since I had either, but remembering the tastes, I think it's that I dislike the bitterness in each drink. This isn't anything I'm torn up over, but I can see how acclimating myself to these would be helpful to things I'd like to develop socially. Anyhow, tips on how to change my tastes so that I can become a jittery, coffee-addicted beerhound would be appreciated. :-)

Best lube for postpartum sex?

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:57:47 -0800

What is the best lube for postpartum sex? I'm a little past two months postpartum with my first child, and looking forward to having a sex life again. Everything I've read has said "use lots of lube postpartum!" but I'm not sure what to use. I've used typical drugstore stuff pre-baby (KY, Astroglide), and I didn't like them very much (Astroglide was better than KY, but not by much).

Three factors that may change the answer to this question:

1. I'm exclusively breastfeeding, and plan to continue doing so for at least another 6-7 months.

2. I'm just starting a new birth control pill (Alesse, so it's low-dose)

3. I had an episiotomy and third-degree lacerations during the birth so I was "ripped and snipped" from stem to stern (sorry for the TMI visuals). I'm mostly healed, but won't be trying anything until I feel a little better about how the cut is healing - the tearing seems to be okay.

I know that items #1 and #2 both contribute to dryness which is why lube is recommended. Items #3 just makes me nervous to try anything - I don't want to undo all the healing I've already done.

I checked out this question, and it addresses some of my issue, but it doesn't cover the postpartum-specific stuff.

I realize that postpartum sex will be different and less-than-perfect for the first little while. I just want to try and take all the steps I can to make it go as well as possible, so any other tips are welcome. Thanks for any advice you are willing to give about such a personal matter.

Lubricant sheets?

R. Mutt — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:27:43 -0800

My new crosscutting paper shredder manual suggests using shredder lubricant sheets twice a month, or every 30 minutes of active shredding. Naturally, they also sell these lubricant sheets. How necessary is this, really? (approx. $1 per sheet?)

best lube?

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:11:15 -0800

LubricantFilter, possibly NSFW. Has anyone (any woman, that is) had a good experience with one of those lubricants that one inserts ahead of time? (like replens). I'm in a new relationship, and having trouble producing all the lube I need on my own (medication) but I really don't want to go into the med thing with my partner yet, so. I'd obviously like it to be as tasteless as possible--or rather, as close to the natural taste of me as possible. Any thoughts on a good product? Men, if your ladyfriends use these products, any you particularly like? I read an earlier thread on this topic, but that was discussing lubes-for-the-moment, not ahead-of-time lubes. We're using condoms, if that matters, which of course only exacerbates the problem.

Too slippery when wet?

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:06:58 -0800

I know this is counter-intuitive, but I get so absurdly wet when I have sex that it feels less enjoyable than when I'm a little bit dry. What can I do about it? (slightly NSFW) The current boyfriend is -ahem- very good at what he does in the bedroom. However it's gotten to the point where we just kiss and immediately I'm wet enough for the rest of the night. No foreplay necessary. In fact, I've asked him to have LESS foreplay so I won't be immediately soaked. We have sex at least twice a day and the longer we have been dating, the more I've noticed my body producing increasing amounts juices every time we hook up. It's getting to be a nuisance.

Are there any tips or tricks for women who have this problem? I've taken to pausing during sex and "scooping" out the excess juices with my hand and wiping them on the sheets, which is IMO not very sexy. It's not that I don't feel him when I'm wet it's just that it feels twice as good when I'm at 50% my normal levels (only happens during quickies when he catches me completely by surprise.)

I don't want to give up all foreplay. I'd like to know if any of you women do any sort of discreet toweling action before penetration, and for guys, whether or not that's a turn off to the fella to do some pre-penetration mopping up.

(FWIW, he says he likes it either way, but that it's a little more intense for him when I'm not super-duper-slippery.)

Good lubricant for a squeaky printer?

ssnickerer — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:29:39 -0800

I have a really squeaky printer. I tried WD-40, but the squeakiness comes back. One of my engineering friends suggested that I needed something similar to sewing machine oil, but perhaps a little thicker, since the gears are plastic. Any ideas on what kind of lubricant I should get? And where I could get it? Aside from the squeakiness, this REALLY is a good printer (Canon MP130), and I really don't want to get another one.

Lubricant for fire escape window bar hinges?

doctorcurly — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 09:11:44 -0800

What type of lubricant should I use on the hinges to the fire escape window bars? It is exposed to the outdoors. Also, should I use a penetrant to clean them beforehand?

mmmm, greasy

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 12:53:31 -0800

Lube-filter. Probably NSFW. Monogamous relationship, hormonal contraception and no STDs so we're off the condoms. The contraception is an implant which seems to be significantly reducing lubricant production, so we've been using off-the-shelf water based stuff.

We tried vaseline in an emergency (the usual bottle got left behind accidentally) and it was sooooo much better. I know vaseline+condom = disaster, but has anyone experienced issues with using it regularly au naturel? Any other recommendations?

Personal Lubricant

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Nov 2004 17:17:15 -0800

I'm looking for recommendations for a personal lubricant that can safely be ingested, and most importantly, is tasteless and *truly* has no aftertaste. I've wasted all my money...

How do you remove silicone based lube from fabric?

pieoverdone — Mon, 08 Nov 2004 14:24:57 -0800

How do you remove silicone based lube from clothing/sheets/cotton based material? Traditional stain removers have not helped. Ammonia was suggested, but I've no clue what that would entail doing and whether everything I owned was destined to smell like that forever.