You've got the lube out, given the bottle a squeeze and somehow made your elbow slippery. Meanwhile, the bit you actually wanted lubricated is still waiting. Strong enthusiasm. Shithouse aim.
Use enough lube for movement to feel comfortable where your body meets a hand, toy or condom. Start with a small amount, spread it where you need it and add more if things feel dry or drag. For anal play, be generous from the start.
There is no magic pump count. Bottles dispense different amounts, and a quick wank and a longer session don't necessarily need the same quantity. Pay attention to how it feels, not how much is missing from the bottle.
Get it on the part you're using
A slippery handle is a pain in the arse when you're trying to keep hold of a toy. Put the lube on the part touching your body instead of coating the whole thing like you're marinating dinner.
Spread a little over the contact area, then see how it feels. If movement still drags, add more. If everything feels comfortable, you don't need another squirt just because the bottle is handy.
With a partner, wanting lube doesn't mean someone has failed to turn you on. You can fancy the hell out of each other and still prefer a little extra slipperiness. Hand over the bottle. This does not need to become a discussion about anybody's sexual abilities.
Anal play needs more lube
That tiny dab you used on an external toy isn't a useful starting point for everything. Your bum doesn't supply the lubrication needed for penetration, so add it generously where there's contact and top it up as needed.
More lube won't make an uncomfortable size or painful movement fine. If it hurts, stop. The bottle isn't permission to keep going.
Our anal lube guide helps with choosing the type and thickness. Get enough within reach beforehand, too. Discovering you're down to the last sad dribble is poor timing when you've already got your trousers off.
Add more before things get uncomfortable
You were having a lovely time. Now the toy isn't moving as easily, or your hand is starting to drag. Pause and add some fresh lube. No need to wait until you're sore to admit the first squirt has had enough.
Lube gets spread around, transfers onto other surfaces and, with water-based formulas, can dry during use. Needing more doesn't automatically mean the lube is rubbish or that you used it wrong.
Keep the bottle beside you. Getting up to find it is a much bigger interruption than reaching over. Nobody wants their partner saying “hold on” and returning with a torch because the lube has rolled under the bed.
If it keeps turning tacky, why lube gets sticky explains the difference between a top-up and a formula you might prefer to replace.
Used too much? Wipe some off
The cap opened farther than expected. Now you're holding the toy with both hands and still losing the argument. Wipe the excess off your hands and the handle, leaving enough where you need comfortable movement.
A towel underneath helps with the mess. Next time, start with less and add more gradually. A runny liquid spreads differently from a thick gel, and a new pump bottle may be considerably more generous than your old one.
You haven't ruined the evening. You've made some extra washing. Annoying, but hardly the first time sex has done that.
Choose lube that suits the toy and condom
Water-based lube is an easy starting point with silicone toys. Some silicone lubes can damage silicone surfaces, and oil-based products can damage latex condoms. Getting the amount right doesn't fix the wrong pairing.
Our water-based versus silicone lube guide explains the differences. For a straightforward place to start with toys, browse the water-based lube range.
If a lube burns or stings, stop using it. Get medical advice if irritation persists. That's a different problem from needing another squirt.
Once you've found an amount that feels good, stop counting pumps. Keep the bottle close, add more when you need it and wipe your elbow. It has contributed quite enough.