Cleaning a razor

[losing]

This has been the hardest thing to search for on the forums. I have gotten everything from "my new soap, a review" to "how to store my collection". This site's search function must be backed by google, it's as bad.

Back onto the topic. How do you all clean your razors? I will admit I have really only cleaned my razors a few times over the years, even using an automotive type cleaner my razors did not get fully clean. Even after using more safe cleaners to clean off the automotive type cleaner the razors still had scum and the like on them.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I don't want to come across as snarky... that isn't my intention. I clean mine after every shave. They never get gunk build-up. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and all that. My Dad was a mechanic and had a complete set of tools at home was well as at the shop. He drilled that into me from the time I was old enough to need tools to work on my bicycle... "You can use my tools, but I expect them to be cleaned and returned to their place in my rolling tool chest."

I don't know exactly what you mean by automotive cleaner. They vary a lot. Are you using an ultrasonic cleaner? I know those work pretty well. People who buy Vintage razors often use them to clean up their purchases. I'm not sure what solvent would work best. You don't want to damage your razors. Some materials aren't a concern but some are.


Dawn and a lot of elbow grease... with a toothbrush is supposed to work as well.

 

[Eric_75]

Dawn and a lot of elbow grease... with a toothbrush is supposed to work as well.

I used Palmolive Ultra Pure + Clean on my Super Speed recently, but don't tell anyone.

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

I do a quick wipe down with a cloth after each use and a going over with dish soap and an old toothbrush at blade change time. All my DE and SE razors look at least as good as when I got them.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I do a quick wipe down with a cloth after each use and a going over with dish soap and an old toothbrush at blade change time. All my DE and SE razors look at least as good as when I got them.

I didn’t mean to imply the way I do it is the only correct way. I stated where I got the habit. Keeping a razor clean isn’t a daunting task. There are lots of ways/routines to get there as you just noted.

Edit: Now, if you were to ask my Dad, he would be much more black and white about it. Father knows best was his creed. There was only one way with him. Still, he was a great stepdad: the only Dad I ever had.

 

[Blackland Razors]

Just use dish soap and a soft cloth. If you need to access holes or lather slots, use a q-tip. Don't use abrasives or hard-bristled brushes.

 

[Captainjonny]

For my 2 and 3 piece razors, I remove blade, wipe each piece with cloth and soft tissue and leave on washcloth to dry.
For my twist to open razors, I rinse, open the doors and dry with soft tissue, and leave on washcloth to dry.
I rinse and place the blade in a blade dryer I purchased on Etsy.
Unfortunately over time, some dried on soap stays in the grooves and hard to wipe areas such as the inside corners on the bottom plate of the 3 piece razor head.
Every few weeks, I use a dental proxabrush to clean those areas. If you have not used one of these on a razor, you will be amazed. I use them dry, not wet, to remove any dried on scum. I typically purchase them at the dollar store, and are 4 or 5 in a package for $1.25. Each one lasts for months. They are called Plackers at the dollar store. The drug stores have the ones made by GUM, and they work well too. I use the GUM brand on my teeth.

 

[njpaddy]

For years at my house with well water, I would break the DE down after every shave and wipe it down. I no longer bother in our apartment, but I still replace the blade every other shave. Blades are cheap and i prefer fresh.

 

[CCS]

There must be a thousand cleaning videos on youtube!

 

[gpjoe]

Scrubbing Bubbles was made for cutting through soap scum, and I have used it on many vintage razors with good results.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Here are some of the previous discussions that a quick search turns up.

How to really clean a razor head?

My normal routine for maintaining my safety razor is apparently lacking. After shaving, I immediately disassemble my razor and dry it. I am doing something wrong I guess because my razors inevitably develop white splotches on them. Does anyone have any idea why this might be, or what is a good...

www.badgerandblade.com

Razor cleaning and restoration

See also: Safety razor maintenance

www.badgerandblade.com

Cleaning and polishing a razor.

Evening all! Hope you're well! Can anyone shed some light or possibly give some tips on the best methods to clean and polish a razor? I've read a lot online but would like some more info and also am interested in what some of you may use. I won an auction on eBay for a blue tip Super Speed and...

www.badgerandblade.com

How do you clean and sanitize vintage razors?

How do you go about doing this? What process and cleaners do you use? I've never felt good about using a used razor. Thanks.

www.badgerandblade.com

Best Way to Clean a DE Razor?

Hey B&B community. I have a Merkur Long Handle that I use for my daily shave and it seems that, despite my best efforts to simply rinse it off, there is always a layer of shaving soap residue left on both the razor and blade. Recently, I have been letting my blade soak in rubbing alcohol...

www.badgerandblade.com

Disinfecting/cleaning blades before every use?

I used to have an alcoholic lotion that I would use to clean the blades before every shave, because, I don't know, I am too meticulous :P Anyway, then I ran out of the lotion and I stopped doing that, and I noticed that the blades started feeling harsher more quickly, and also were developing...

www.badgerandblade.com

Safety Razor Cleaning

How do you clean off all the built-up scum from the safety razor after some use? Toothbrush? Oxyclean?

www.badgerandblade.com

DE Razor Polishing/Cleaning/Maintenance etc - Tips & Tricks - Products

hello people, so what do you use to polish, clean and maintain your de razor? i've only ever had cheapo de razors so never been too fussed about polishing so long as cleanliness was taken care off anyways getting more into the hobby ive been getting vintage razors, so ive got to a point wher...

www.badgerandblade.com

Cleaning razor after a shave

Hello, I received an Edwin Jagger DE for christmas and have since had my first two shaves ever with a safety razor. Do you all break the razor down after shaves every time to wash and dry the blade and razor? The insert mentions washing and drying it, but is it necessary to take it all apart...

www.badgerandblade.com

Cleaning razor after daily shave question

I just got a brand new EJ Kelvin today and after using it I noticed a build up after one shave of some soap on the top. I was able to clean it all off with an alcohol swab, but that still left watermarks it seems. What do you guys generally do to keep these razors clean after each shave? I also...

www.badgerandblade.com

How do you all clean a new razor before the first shave?

I've seen alot of threads and Youtube videos about disinfecting used modern or vintage razors, but very little about cleaning one that's brand new. When you buy a new DE safety razor, what's your general cleaning routine before first use? I just bought a Merkur Futur and I'm wondering if...

www.badgerandblade.com

Recommended way to clean razor and blade after shaving

How do you clean your De razor and blade after you shave? Do you clean the blade with water or alcohol? Do you leave the blade in the razor?

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[BigJ]

Great advice above!

My approach is to rinse the razor and blade thoroughly after each shave. When I change blades I use a soft brush and some Dawn detergent, then wipe things down. Works for me!

 

[Dobric]

Weekly blade change and cleaning at the same time
I use toothpaste (not gel, but regular white toothpaste) and toothbrush, cleans all of it very well, then I dry it
Also I use cotton bud to dry insite of the handle thread
After that, I insert new blade and that's it

 

[Old Hippie]

I'm a lazy obsessive.

After every shave, the razor is disassembled and the blade removed and washed. I rinse off the razor parts with hot water, then look to see how much more wants doing. A bit of detergent and a gentle cloth scrub if needed, or perhaps a Q-tip to dig the crud out. Then it's all spread out to dry for next day (or to be put away later).

So what's the obessive part? I also disassemble two-piece razors, removing the screw from the handle and rinsing both out well. I have the habit of removing those little retainer rings; they're not needed. My Fasan never had one, the "Super Slant" one crystallized and broke into several pieces, and I've simply taken it out of my other 2-piece razors.

O.H.

 

[losing]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I have thought about cleaning my razors I attempted it a few times but I give up easy on things like this. When I noticed I really did not make a difference in how clean the razor looked I stopped. Now armed with the knowledge I read here and the forums posts that were posted I am going to give cleaning my razors a good go this time.

 

[HazMat Shaver]

Tooth brush and dish soap. Its all Ive ever needed.

 

[BobbyB]

When I finish the day's shave, I rinse the razor with hot water from the teapot. Every few days, I ask the LOTH if she would put my idle razors in the dishwasher's utensil basket.

 

[cryhavoc]

Tooth brush and dish soap. Its all Ive ever needed.

+1

 

[CCS]

When I finish the day's shave, I rinse the razor with hot water from the teapot. Every few days, I ask the LOTH if she would put my idle razors in the dishwasher's utensil basket.

I think dishwashers are a bad idea especially if you have hard water or use strong soaps but if it works for you, it works for you.

 

[OldSkoolMillennial]

I remember when I "overcleaned" my MMOC (actually don't know what I did) and it developed this blue hue. lol