How should you clean a safety razor? Would water, a toothbrush, a pipe cleaning brush, liquid dish detergent, liquid disinfecting dish detergent, liquid hand soap, liquid disinfecting hand soap be enough? When do I need to use toothpaste and Scrubbing Bubbles? I was also told by Leisureguy to mix a solution of 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water and place the razor in the solution.
Cleaning a safety razor
- Thread starter Alex7
- Start date
drmoss_ca
Is there a Doctor in the house ?
My, there's a name from the past!
I'd say it depends on the razor: brass, stainless steel or aluminum can be scrubbed or treated pretty much as you please. It's the plated pot-metal you have to be careful with, as the plating is easily damaged. If you are simply cleaning your own razor, I'd say a soft toothbrush and detergent would do. If it's one you've bought used and you want it sterilised, I would do the physical cleaning to remove debris with the toothbush and detergent and then soak it for 24 hours in something capable of killing both bacteria and viruses. Lacking Barbicide or other proper agent, Lysol or dilute bleach should do it. Vinegar will not. Alcohol can kill bacteria but has real difficulty against viruses. None of these things can be relied on unless the razor is physically clean first, as bits of debris make great hiding places for bugs and will let them survive.
Scissors and forceps I used in the office would be scrubbed with a brush, boiled in a sterilizer for an hour, then stored under Cidex till next use. The surface soon corroded and they had to be replaced as soon as that happened. Dry steam in an autoclave doesn't have that effect, but it would also detach nickel plating. Maybe Barbicide will turn out to be a bargain after all!
I'd say it depends on the razor: brass, stainless steel or aluminum can be scrubbed or treated pretty much as you please. It's the plated pot-metal you have to be careful with, as the plating is easily damaged. If you are simply cleaning your own razor, I'd say a soft toothbrush and detergent would do. If it's one you've bought used and you want it sterilised, I would do the physical cleaning to remove debris with the toothbush and detergent and then soak it for 24 hours in something capable of killing both bacteria and viruses. Lacking Barbicide or other proper agent, Lysol or dilute bleach should do it. Vinegar will not. Alcohol can kill bacteria but has real difficulty against viruses. None of these things can be relied on unless the razor is physically clean first, as bits of debris make great hiding places for bugs and will let them survive.
Scissors and forceps I used in the office would be scrubbed with a brush, boiled in a sterilizer for an hour, then stored under Cidex till next use. The surface soon corroded and they had to be replaced as soon as that happened. Dry steam in an autoclave doesn't have that effect, but it would also detach nickel plating. Maybe Barbicide will turn out to be a bargain after all!
I'm just cleaning my own razor.
Leatherstockings
Well-known member
For regular cleaning I don’t go any further than a soak with dish soap and water and a light scrubbing with a used toothbrush. I don’t want to use anything abrasive that will wear off the original plating.
When I have picked up razors at antique stores I’d use scrubby bubbles to soak the razor in, then scrub with a brush.
When I have picked up razors at antique stores I’d use scrubby bubbles to soak the razor in, then scrub with a brush.
What about toothpaste and stuff like Scrubbing Bubbles? Are they too abrasive?
How often should I use them?
drmoss_ca
Is there a Doctor in the house ?
If it's your razor, only when you think you need to. Mostly if you wipe it off after rinsing it won't need cleaning for many months at a time. I grew up on chalk downland in the west country of the UK, and the water was so hard there that after one use a razor would be covered in a film of limescale. If you have that problem, it will be a lot more frequent!
Thanks.
Thanks.
I want to use it against the soap scum.
may i ask you.. Haven't you received similar answers from the multiple forums you have posted the exact same questions?
The reason I post on multiple forums is I want to get as much information as possible.