A question for you alcohol dippers

[roboboticus]

I've taken to dipping my razor (with blade) in rubbing alcohol before and after each shave, both for drying and disinfecting purposes. What I'm wondering now is how often, if ever, do I need to replace the alcohol. It sits in a jar with the flat part of a canning lid on top— another idea I got here on the forums.

Also, someone here recommended using alcohol that's over 90%. Mine's 70%, and I wonder how much it matters.

I probably sound totally OCD asking such questions, but I can't help being curious.
I started using the alcohol because my face is showing redness; probably just razor burn, but I read that blades can harbor things like staph, causing minor infection and irritation. It's easy enough to dip, so why not

 

[dpmtherrien]

I've taken to dipping my razor (with blade) in rubbing alcohol before and after each shave, both for drying and disinfecting purposes. What I'm wondering now is how often, if ever, do I need to replace the alcohol. It sits in a jar with the flat part of a canning lid on top— another idea I got here on the forums.

Also, someone here recommended using alcohol that's over 90%. Mine's 70%, and I wonder how much it matters.

I probably sound totally OCD asking such questions, but I can't help being curious.
I started using the alcohol because my face is showing redness; probably just razor burn, but I read that blades can harbor things like staph, causing minor infection and irritation. It's easy enough to dip, so why not

Just regular rubbing alcohol will do fine.

The redness is probably razor burn, lighten up on the pressure. I've never had a problem with my blades and infections, I just rinse them under hot tap water and allow to air dry. If doing the alcohol dip makes you feel better about this, there's no harm in doing so.

 

[LarryAndro]

I have had 70% isopropyl alcohol tarnish scales. I didn't have to leave the razor soaking to see the effect. When this happened, the tarnishing action occurred immediately.

That must not be happening with you. But, should you use alcohol on another razor, test first on a small area.

 

[JPDyson]

I have had 70% isopropyl alcohol tarnish scales. I didn't have to leave the razor soaking to see the effect. When this happened, the tarnishing action occurred immediately.

That must not be happening with you. But, should you use alcohol on another razor, test first on a small area.

I'm thinking the OP was talking about a DE razor. As for a straight, shouldn't it be enough to towel dry and strop it after shaving to dry it off?

 

[LarryAndro]

I'm thinking the OP was talking about a DE razor...

I'm embarrassed...

 

[xillion]

I use 91% isopropyl alcohol that I keep in a spray bottle. I mist my razor after each use.

 

[BeyondPsyche]

70/30 is the most appropriate for disinfecting. This is because the water portion greatly improves the ability of the alcohol to diffuse through the cell wall.

 

[roboboticus]

Very cool. Thanks, Brian

 

[BeyondPsyche]

Don't just mix water and pure alcohol though, the water needs to be fairly pure. Also, the type of alcohol has a significant effect on the disinfecting properties.

 

[mkevenson]

Frequency of changing the alcohol depends on the type of spirit used. Bourbon, every day, vodka 2-3 days, gin drink after each use.

 

[americanarmsdealer]

I read in another thread that denatured alcohol will dry more quickly than 70%, almost drying instantly. The poster said alcohol disinfects when it dries, not while something is soaking in it, so would denatured alcohol be more effective? I've noticed my razors drip alcohol out of them for quite some time after I dip them and let them set to dry, so would denatured alcohol eliminate this?

 

[BeyondPsyche]

Something else I forgot, you can guesstimate how much alcohol is remaining in the mix by measuring evaporation times. Or stick a lighter to it and see if it still lights.

 

[DE Shaver]

I usually dip my razor with blade after I shake dry the razor. This ensures excess water does not build up in the alcohol. Not that water in alcohol is a problem per se but you want to have the alcohol dry fairly quickly and a higher alcohol content will dry faster. It is the drying process that actually kills the pathogens.

FYI, I use 99% alcohol, which is more expensive than the typical 70% rubbing alcohol found in drugstores, and replace it once per year.

 

[JPDyson]

I usually dip my razor with blade after I shake dry the razor. This ensures excess water does not build up in the alcohol. Not that water in alcohol is a problem per se but you want to have the alcohol dry fairly quickly and a higher alcohol content will dry faster. It is the drying process that actually kills the pathogens.

FYI, I use 99% alcohol, which is more expensive than the typical 70% rubbing alcohol found in drugstores, and replace it once per year.

So do you keep it in some sort of covered jar then? Something you can dip the razor head into, right?

 

[BeyondPsyche]

I usually dip my razor with blade after I shake dry the razor. This ensures excess water does not build up in the alcohol. Not that water in alcohol is a problem per se but you want to have the alcohol dry fairly quickly and a higher alcohol content will dry faster. It is the drying process that actually kills the pathogens.

FYI, I use 99% alcohol, which is more expensive than the typical 70% rubbing alcohol found in drugstores, and replace it once per year.

I disagree. It is the denaturing process that occurs inside the cell membrane that kills bacteria, not pathogens, bacteria. Alcohol is not a strong viral, or bacteria spore killer. Also, your 99% alcohol is less effective than the cheaper 70% alcohol at killing bacteria. The reason it is sold at 70/30 is not because of price, but because that seems to be the optimal ratio. Alcohol is a good choice for daily cleansing of razors because it does not produce superbugs, kills common staph, and shouldn't corrode the metal. However, it is not a good choice for cleaning up a used razor because it will not kill any viruses still present. The alcohol drying faster is actually a problem because for some bacteria, the alcohol requires longer contact. Pure alcohol is sold at that ratio for non-sterilization use.

Don't believe? Google.

 

[DE Shaver]

So do you keep it in some sort of covered jar then? Something you can dip the razor head into, right?

Yes, it's in a sealed jar. I picked up a glass jar at Wal-mart of under $4.00 USD that has a seal built into the lid. I lift the lid, dip the razor and let it drip and then I put the lid back.

 

[DE Shaver]

I disagree. It is the denaturing process that occurs inside the cell membrane that kills bacteria, not pathogens, bacteria. Alcohol is not a strong viral, or bacteria spore killer. Also, your 99% alcohol is less effective than the cheaper 70% alcohol at killing bacteria. The reason it is sold at 70/30 is not because of price, but because that seems to be the optimal ratio. Alcohol is a good choice for daily cleansing of razors because it does not produce superbugs, kills common staph, and shouldn't corrode the metal. However, it is not a good choice for cleaning up a used razor because it will not kill any viruses still present. The alcohol drying faster is actually a problem because for some bacteria, the alcohol requires longer contact. Pure alcohol is sold at that ratio for non-sterilization use.

Don't believe? Google.

You can disagree but a doctor (an infectious diseases subspecialst) on this board has already corroborated this fact and indicated the denaturing occurs at drying. Search this boards forum archives for his comment. Bear in mind your razor will have some residual water that will mix with the alcohol. My use of the term pathogens was meant to refer to an infectious agent but you are technically more correct. Regardless, alcohol has been shown to be an effective disinfectant but not a sterilization medium. Anyway, the main use for me in using alcohol is to dry the blade quickly as possible to minimize corrosion, disinfecting is merely a secondary beneficial effect.