I've used CleanStream's red enema bulb line as far back as 2014. I've had seven in that time, so I can say the durability is about nine to twelve months on average. Some break sooner than others. To manage your expectations, keep in mind that friction and wear are hard physical constraints of our universe, so don't expect these to last as long as a vintage car or something. I try to keep a backup one in addition to my daily use one, because when it eventually fails, it can take a few days for a new one to arrive.Use silicone-based personal lubricant that is safe for humans with this product, not water-based. Put some on both the spout and your anus to make sure you're not tearing any of your external or internal tissues. It's not skin tissue, it can get torn and you really don't want an infection.Keep an eye out for early warning signs that it's time to replace yours: the parts that fail are the white PVC spout (which is mostly likely to break near the base), the washer connecting the spout to the cap that fits into the bulb (this gets compressed and stretches over time if you're washing it properly, see below for instructions on that), the bulb itself (this is where it gets difficult to spot leaks--they appear as small cracks, most often longitudinally adjacent to where it gets squeezed the most, near the cap, and less often on the bottom of the bulb. However, those cracks aren't always visible immediately, so you'll first notice those cracks in the form of water from inside the bulb leaking out under pressure).My main criticism of the product is that it's not easy to clean, and doesn't come with any cleaning supplies; then again, I don't know what they ought to include with it that wouldn't also be subject to criticism. A second criticism is that if one part of the product fails, you can't just order the parts separately. The bulb and washer fail the most, but I've still saved leftover spouts and washers from previous bulbs in the event that those parts fail first instead.To clean the bulb, be sure to wipe any human waste off of the spout with toilet paper first. Remove the cap and pour the remaining water inside of it into the toilet. If you have a bidet, you can clean the bulb off with water and soap over the toilet. If not, you can clean it off in either your shower or your bathroom sink--at this point, the bulb and spout are mostly clean anyway, but since the red version doesn't have a one-way check valve on it (and since you touched it while on the toilet), you'll want to clean both the bulb and the spout off. However, be sure to clean your sink regularly with bleach and drain cleaner. Last thing you want is fecal coliforms getting started anywhere in your house. To clean the bulb and spout, keep a separate bottle of dish soap in your bathroom specifically for cleaning it; pour the soap into the bulb and down the spout. Hand-wash the entire surface area of the inside and outside of the bulb, the outside of the spout and cap, and for the inside of the spout, flush it with tap water. Slightly unscrew the cap and spout (don't lose the washer or spout down your drain!) and hand-wash that too--don't leave any area untouched by soap and water. Rinse off all the parts, fill the bulb with water and empty it to make sure it's not soapy next time you go to use it. Store it in an open container where it can air-dry.I have been using enema bulbs like this one myself for more than 40 years for easing constipation or just making the process easier. I use it every time now even when not constipated. The bulbs lasted about 5 to 8 years before they eventually cracked and leaked. This new one is made of a much thinner rubber making it more difficult/slower to fill from a container of water. The suction from the older ones was much stronger and they filled faster. Yes, I fill them using suction rather than pouring water inside. It's faster that way for me and I can quickly add more water if needed. I can fill it to the very tip without any air getting in the way. I use two plastic cups filled with water, keeping one of the cups full. (It's easier to fill when the level of the cup is high.) That way I can quickly add more water when needed.For those having difficulty aiming them correctly and hurting themselves, try not to just poke/stab it up there! Place a very small dab of lubricant around the very tip. Too much may end up inside the tip and bulb. I have always used petroleum jelly, so this is more important than if you use a water based lube. Insertion... try sliding the entire tube up your cheeks sideways until it reaches your "opening". The side of the tube goes up your cheeks so the tip doesn't dig into you. NOT tip first. THEN gently turn it upward and inward when it is close to the "opening". Pointing/aiming it up toward your belly button, squeeze the bulb gently. (It's not necessary to insert it ALL the way in. Just get it far enough so it doesn't leak out.) If you don't feel anything coming out of the bulb, try to gently move it around till it works. You may not have it in far enough or there may be a stool in the way. Change the angle and try to shoot the liquid around or past it. If you squeeze the bulb too hard, it may leak. Especially if there is an obstruction at the tip of the tube. There may be times that the amount of water released is not enough and you need more. Try to hold the water inside you and repeat the process with more water until you can't hold it any more. Using cups and suction into the bulb speeds the process. An alternative is to have more than one bulb loaded and ready to go. There are larger ones available and enema bags, but this is all I need.It's important to store these bulbs in a dark place as light will degrade them in time. They will harden and crack.These bulbs are also handy for wash up afterwards like a bidet. What I used was a section of tubing from a hot water bottle/fountain syringe and the tip of an old enema bottle, the tip is plugged with epoxy and a tiny hole drilled on the side of the tip. Fill the bulb with water and stick the tube into the toilet pointing it up to your parts in need of cleaning... spray away. I have been doing this for decades and have rarely had to flush any toilet paper. You can now just buy a bulb that does this on Amazon.Perfect for travel, fits perfectly in toiletry bag.This enema bulb works fine as long as you do the following: 1. Remove plug from bulb. 2. Use super glue on the rim and replace plug. Let dry for 24 hours. Also, use super glue on stem gasket and let set for 24 hours. 3. When ready to use, fill bulb with water and screw in stem. It may take longer to fill bulb this way, but you will not have any leaks. The bulb will last about a year before the rubber get hard and difficult to use. I have been using it for a number of years without any problem. This the best one I have found on the market.If you, like I and many others before us, are under the impression that anal play is one of those things you have to wait for; a sort of land of opportunity that one can only enjoy when the stars align and your butt happens to be clean and you also feel like anal: think so no longer. If you are comfortable with flushing yourself before a sojourn to the bedroom, anal time is anytime with the help of an enema bulb.Aside from the overdramatic sentences and sales pitch for butt cleaning however, when it comes to enema bulbs I have found no qualms with this product and am pleasantly pleased with the quality of both its make and function. I have yet to have any problems with the tip being abrasive or sharp, as is common of cheaper plastic products, and the seal and bulb itself are also solid with no leaks when closed securely with the o ring that comes attached to the nozzle. The head pops in rather than screwing on/in, but in my opinion this just makes it easier to clean, and for me ease of cleaning is probably the most important part of a this kind of device.This must be the 4th one I have bought, I have IBS and it works a treat, it’s really helped me live with my condition, don’t be embarrassed about buying this you will not regret this purchase.I was introduced to colonic irrigation a year or so ago by a friend who's into healthy lifestyles etc. I was converted and like the idea of a being clean so I recommend this product. Why? It's neat and portable. The nozzle didn't have any roughness (as some others noted). The bulb doesn't leak (if you're sensible.) And it holds enough to clean up after you've been to the loo. The price has to be good. And although it comes in the usual Amazon packaging, my product was also shrink wrapped in impenetrable black clingfilm. What's not to like?Bought this for my boyfriend and it does the job perfectly. Strong and durable and easy to disassemble to clean and to store. Great for travelling as it is only small. Thin nozzle is smooth which makes it comfortable to use and a lot better quality compared to well known brand like Ann Summer's version which is no where near as robustFabulous item working well for a couple of months with moderate use, then the nozzle broke, as it is very thin and fragile, therefore I wouldn't recommend to buy this item.I have contacted the seller to try to get another nozzle, but they are unable to help.Easy to use - flexible (unlike some)