Cleaning soap scum/limescale off of a razor?
- Thread starter SamF
- Start date
Scrubbing bubbles, the non bleach variety, works wonders.
Yup. Scrubbing bubbles, let sit for a few minutes, rinse and repeat (if you need to) with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Takes it all off, minimal work. Works well on motorcycle chrome too.
Scrubbing Bubbles will cut soap scum and mineral deposits. Also, do a second scrubbing with Dawn Ultra dish soap and almost boiling water . . . use an old (but still stiff) toothbrush. Lather, rinse, repeat.
The real key is not letting the deposits build up too much, so you don't have to scrub too hard. Always stay away from potentially corrosive (and therefore hazardous to plating) products like vinegar, bleach, and CLR. While these products are lauded as "great for removing hard water deposits" they're just too harsh for the thin plating on a vintage razor.
The real key is not letting the deposits build up too much, so you don't have to scrub too hard. Always stay away from potentially corrosive (and therefore hazardous to plating) products like vinegar, bleach, and CLR. While these products are lauded as "great for removing hard water deposits" they're just too harsh for the thin plating on a vintage razor.
- Thread starter
- #6
You want Cif Bathroom Mousse. Should be about £2 at Tesco.
CLR is awesome stuff, but I just wipe down my razor after every use.
The scrubbing bubbles works fine, but just plain toothpaste and an old toothbrush will also work without damage to the razor. Just put a dab on your finger and work it onto the razor by rubbing it onto the surface with your fingers. Then use an old brush to scrub it around. Rinse with hot water and the razor will shine. 
+1 on the mention of not letting it build up too much.
+1 on the mention of not letting it build up too much.
I would first try cleaning with dish detergent and water, followed by an old toothbrush with toothpaste. I believe Scrubbing Bubbles can be abrasive under certain circumstances. My Fatboy was looking very dull recently. So I cleaned it with toothbrush/toothpaste--and now it's bright and sparkling.
When I hear of people using toothpaste, I always wonder... is there a certain type of formula that's best? I use a colgate gel with breath strips... would that suffice? Or should I use my son's Aquafresh? Or is a plain paste best?
FWIW, I tried Cif Actifizz and wasn't impressed. Not that it's useless, but I was hoping to spray it on, let it sit, then rinse off. Doing so only loosens the grime, it doesn't lift it off.
Maybe the mousse is better.
i scrub it with a toothbrush with the cif on the razor, then give it a rinse.
I just use any toothpaste I have...works great for me!
Similarly, as a razor/blade rotation guy... I discard the blade after 5-6 shaves, soak the razor in warm water, and give it a light scrub with a toothbrush & paste if needed, rinse, dry, and send to the locker room until the next call up.
SB has nothing that is abrasive, but it is somewhat corrosive to unplated brass and can cause discoloration if your razor has any plating damage. Use it just to break up soap scum and for its disinfectant properties.
Toothpaste, not gel, contains a mild abrasive and is a gentle polish. Nothing like a minty-fresh shave . . .
The key is to only leave the product in contact with the razor long enough to soften the deposit. Soaking in anything corrosive, including vinegar (even though it is safe to eat) is a great way to erode the polished surface (at best) or strip plating entirely (at worst.)
I've found the best thing to do is clean the razor gently with dish detergent and an old toothbrush as often as needed to control the buildup of soap scum and mineral deposits before they harden and become a problem. When I visit my parents in Florida I have to clean my razors after a week of use. But, at home, with very soft "mountain rain" water, every three or four months is enough.
Used my gel type toothpaste with fresh breath strips to clean my gold plated NEW and my super adjustable this morning. Both are shiney and beautiful.
