Checking Seals Quarterly
Last time felt off, and the cause was a seal you hadn't checked since the day it arrived.
A waterproof seal can fail quietly, and you won't notice until it's too late. A two-minute check every three months protects the device, the battery, and you. This guide shows what to look for and how to do it safely.
The Short Answer
Pull the device out, look at the seam where the charging port meets the body, and press gently while it's dry. If you see a gap, a soft spot, or moisture inside, the seal has failed. Do this every three months, not yearly. The Self-Love Ritual Bundle is a good candidate because it holds two waterproof pieces — HOPSTAR and GODLIKE — plus a lubricant, and a quarterly check keeps all three safe to use in the bath or shower.
Why Quarterly, Not Yearly
Silicone seals relax and pick up debris with use. A yearly check misses the slow drift that starts around month four, which is usually when a small leak begins.
HOPSTAR runs at around 45 dB and offers 12 intensity modes across its 7.5 inch body, and GODLIKE adds 10 modes over 8.5 inches. Both are IPX7 rated, but that rating assumes a seal you actually maintain. A quarterly look is what keeps the spec real.
Before bed, once a season, is enough. You're not servicing the device. You're confirming the barrier still holds.
The Two-Minute Check
Step one: dry the device fully. Step two: inspect the port seam under good light. Step three: press the surrounding silicone between thumb and finger — it should feel even, not spongy. Step four: sniff near the seam; a musty note means trapped moisture.
GODLIKE's 80 minutes of runtime doesn't protect the seal, but the check does. The whole pass takes under two minutes, and the 3.4 oz lubricant bottle in the bundle should get the same glance for a swollen or crusted cap.
After work, with the device already out, is the easiest habit to keep. Pair the check with the monthly charge and you won't forget it.
What a Bad Seal Looks Like
A healthy seam sits flush and firm. A failing one shows a hairline gap, a discolored ring, or a soft area that gives more than the rest of the surface.
HOPSTAR's 90 minutes of runtime on a 90-minute charge is irrelevant if water reached the cell. The moment you see moisture behind the port cover, stop using it near water and let it dry completely before any further check.
If you've ever wondered why a "waterproof" toy died after a bath, a skipped seal check is the usual answer.
Don't Soak What Isn't Sealed
IPX7 means brief submersion, not a long soak. Leaving a device in the tub for twenty minutes tests a seal you haven't verified, and that's how failures start.
The bundle's two waterproof pieces handle a shower fine, but the 45 dB quiet operation won't matter if the battery shorts. Limit water time, and never charge a device you suspect has a compromised seam.
You're protecting a circuit, not proving a rating. Short and verified beats long and hopeful.
Charge and Seal Go Together
Moisture and charging don't mix. A quarterly seal check should sit right next to your charging habit so a damp port never meets a live cable.
HOPSTAR and GODLIKE each take about 90 minutes to charge and run for 80 to 90 minutes, so a full top-up before storage is simple. Close the port cover only when the seam is dry, and the 12 modes stay safe through the next season.
Check first, charge second. The order is the whole point of the routine.
Keep a Simple Date Reminder
The check only works if you remember it. Tie it to something fixed, like the first weekend of each season, so three months never slip to nine.
HOPSTAR's 90-minute charge and GODLIKE's 80 minutes of runtime don't care about the calendar, but your memory does. A phone alert or a note on the drawer is enough. The 12 modes and 10 modes in the set stay safe precisely because a two-minute look happens on schedule, not when something already feels wrong. The 3.4 oz lubricant's cap benefits from the same quarterly glance.
The Seal-Check Trade-Off
A quarterly check isn't for everyone. It's a task you'll skip some months, and it won't change how the device feels in the moment. It's also less useful if your toys are not waterproof at all — there's no seal to check, and the two minutes are better spent on cleaning. Skip this routine if your pieces are strictly non-waterproof and bath use isn't part of your plan. Worth knowing: the check mostly prevents a future failure, so a clean result tonight tells you nothing about month eight — that's why the schedule matters more than any single pass.
Keep the Set You Love Safe
A waterproof bundle earns a short quarterly check, not a complicated one.
- Self-Love Ritual Bundle: one box with three pieces — HOPSTAR and GODLIKE, both waterproof with metallic accents, plus a water-based lubricant — for anyone who wants a complete set safe for the bath when the seals are checked.
- Browse the Customer Favorites collection for other reader favorites worth protecting.
- Related reading: how to use a vibrator safely.
- storing toys without the original box pairs with the same care habit.
- a monthly two-minute check is the lighter habit this quarterly one builds on.
Sources
- American Sexual Health Association — guidance on intimate device care and safe cleaning.
- International Society for Sexual Medicine — education on sexual wellness and product safety.
This article is for general education only and is not medical advice. Stop using any device with a damaged seal and consult a healthcare provider about irritation.