Nope, I lick ‘em clean. Sometimes you get lucky and there’s a little machining oil left behind.
Do you sterilize brand new razors?
- Thread starter 100pctFragranceFree
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Killing barbers (as group) would actually be Torsoricide or Tonstricide would it not?
World War I era cutaneous anthrax is the only major outbreak of infection related to shaving that I have heard about. It led to legal enforcement of brush hair sterilization. My vintage brushes are all marked 'STERILIZED'. I suspect these authors would laugh at the idea of razor sterilization other than in a barber shop setting where tools are reused promptly.
From the paper published by the CDC in May, 2017, my emphasis added:
Anthrax Cases Associated with Animal-Hair Shaving Brushes
Christine M. Szablewski, Kate Hendricks, William A. Bower, Sean Shadomy, and Nathaniel Hupert
Although the risk of acquiring anthrax from a shaving brush has been low since the mid-1920s, this article serves to remind those interested in a return to natural grooming that use of untreated hair from horses, pigs, badgers, or other animals poses a potential, and perhaps hypothetical, risk of inoculating anthrax spores into the abrasions and minor lacerations caused by shaving razors. Therefore, we emphasize the following points:
• Because of modern decontamination and import regulations, new animal-hair brushes are unlikely to be a source of anthrax.
• Risk from brushes manufactured in the United States after 1930 and well-used (even vintage) brushes would seem to be extremely low.
• We do not recommend trying to disinfect vintage brushes at home because the risks associated with various combinations of steam, pressure, and formaldehyde are likely to outweigh possible benefits.
From the paper published by the CDC in May, 2017, my emphasis added:
Anthrax Cases Associated with Animal-Hair Shaving Brushes
Christine M. Szablewski, Kate Hendricks, William A. Bower, Sean Shadomy, and Nathaniel Hupert
Although the risk of acquiring anthrax from a shaving brush has been low since the mid-1920s, this article serves to remind those interested in a return to natural grooming that use of untreated hair from horses, pigs, badgers, or other animals poses a potential, and perhaps hypothetical, risk of inoculating anthrax spores into the abrasions and minor lacerations caused by shaving razors. Therefore, we emphasize the following points:
• Because of modern decontamination and import regulations, new animal-hair brushes are unlikely to be a source of anthrax.
• Risk from brushes manufactured in the United States after 1930 and well-used (even vintage) brushes would seem to be extremely low.
• We do not recommend trying to disinfect vintage brushes at home because the risks associated with various combinations of steam, pressure, and formaldehyde are likely to outweigh possible benefits.
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Short answer is no, you don't have to sterilize a new razor. However, if you are a germaphobe and it will cause you to lose sleep, give it a light spray with some rubbing alcohol. It should be fine. Its the blade that makes contact with your skin and can potentially draw blood...not the razor.
No but then again, I dont sterilize used razors either.
All razors new or used get a hot water/dawn bath followed by an alcohol rinse. I typically repeat this process weekly on my daily razor. I like clean razors. I rinse and dry the razor and blade after each use and allow them to air dry.
Even if you sterilize it to kill off potential virii and bacteria, what will do you do about potential prion contamination? Those suckers will survive an autoclave cycle. Mad cow, here we go....
Those things could survive thermonuclear war!
Yes
Absolutely no need to sterilize a new razor.
Do we wash our pants, shirts, socks, and underwear when we buy them, and before we wear them for the first time? I've never heard of that and I'm 84 years old.
I would think there are more germs on a door handle than on a new razor. How often do you wash the door handles at your house?
Do we wash our pants, shirts, socks, and underwear when we buy them, and before we wear them for the first time? I've never heard of that and I'm 84 years old.
I would think there are more germs on a door handle than on a new razor. How often do you wash the door handles at your house?
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- #32
I hope I get over it too.
It's not easy. Trust me. I struggle, just not with shaving gear, or dropping food on the floor and eating it anyway.
Petting my cat, and not immediately washing my hands, just in case I touch food....that's my special kinda crazy my friend.
Not something I do, however once I am finished my shave I take my razor apart, give it a good rinse and dunk the head and blade in isopropyl alcohol. Not to sterilize it but so it dries faster.
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- #35
Interesting. I'll have to try that with the eggs.Why?
I would think our recent unpleasantness would have taught folks something about the limits of longevity of germs, specifically, viruses.
Initially, scientific experiments showed that the Covid-19 virus could survive outside the body for up to about three days, I believe, on some surfaces under some conditions. Under real world conditions, it turned out to be less, which was not surprising given that surfaces can range from cotton to wood to plastic to steel. And conditions vary be temperature, humidity and exposure to UV in sunlight.
Most bacteria and viruses can be preserved by deep cold, but die eventually at room temperature, either within hours or a few days. Fungi and some bacteria like warm, humid conditions though, like athlete's food and staph. This perhaps should be a concern for someone using the same razor and brush every day in conditions like a monsoon or New Orleans.
However, most razors have spent months in their package before reaching you, especially razors from China, which travel by container ships. And all the new razors I have seen have been spotlessly clean, though this does not include razors from India or Pakistan, which may have experienced more handling in manufacture.
Normal warmth, dry air and sunlight all help kill most germs naturally. (That doesn't stop NASA from worrying about extraterrestrial germs in Moon soil, asteroid dust, or, perhaps the most worrisome, Mars soil. So if you are getting a used razor from another solar system (especially Andromeda), please be careful.)
Polished metal is not a surface that would support the reproduction and survival of germs; it is perhaps the least likely to, at least when it comes to three-piece razors.
On the other hand, TTO and adjustable razors have internal surfaces that might not be visible. But they are also the ones that we might not want to sterilize in boiling water or heat because they might have lubricants.
I mention all this not to comment on new razors but because I think people need to have a better understanding of the reality about germs. If anything, I would be more worried about the shaving gear you use every day, if you live in a warm, humid climate.
Yes, there are "super bugs," particularly staph found in hospitals. Hospitals typically use UV light to sterilize hospital rooms and surfaces.
What is the minimum temperature you need?
If you have ever wanted to make homemade mayonnaise, it helps to "pasteurize" eggs - not "sterilize" so you kill the germs but don't cook the eggs. This can be done by keeping the eggs in a pan of water at 140 F degrees for five minutes, enough to heat the yolk. Unless you are canning food or are worried about giardia, etc., you generally do not need to heat it to boiling and above. Mayo made with pasteurized eggs can last a month in the refrigerator.
How to Pasteurize Eggs | Frugal Farm Wife
Ever wondered how to pasteurize eggs? This tutorial step-by-step tutorial couldn't be easier! Just a few simple steps is all it takes.www.frugalfarmwife.com
Pasteurizing milk uses higher temperatures, which vary with time:
"For low-temperature or VAT pasteurization, you need to keep milk at 63oC (145oF) for 30 minutes. This approach allows you to retain the texture and taste and is best for batch pasteurization. You could use a double boiler for this method, but it’s better to invest in a pasteurizer that will keep milk at the required temperature without needing you to watch over it. Advanced models will even cool the milk down after it’s processed.
HTST is the most common technique. It requires you to keep milk at 72oC (161oF) for just 15 seconds. This approach is feasible for home use and can be executed without any additional tools other than a cooking thermometer."
Methods, Time and Temperature for Pasteurizing Milk
In many countries, it’s mandatory even for small farms to pasteurize their dairy. That’s why — it’s important to know all the details about the process, time and temperature for pasteurizing milk.milkyday.com
This information may be useful for those using shaving brushes, as most should not be subjected to boiling water.
Whether shave creams would kill germs would depend on whether they are an alkaline soap; my guess is canned shave mousse or gel is a neutral pH.
Should we worry? My concern is that in shaving (particularly aggressively close shaving every day) we are opening up the surface of the skin, which is apparent from the skin irritation produced by many shave soaps, as well as an aftershave. This could, I suspect, allow germs into our system. Anyone get skin infections from shaving?
The other ways germs get inside us is through breathing or ingestion. However, most of you do not actually eat razors, razor blades or shaving brushes, I presume, though some shave creams do sound delicious.
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lancre:
"I Barbicide all razors I receive, new or used, and I Barbicide them when I give them to someone else.
You know, Barbicide as a verb looks kind of funny, like it should refer to killing a barber."
Actually, it does: The guy who invented it hated barbers, and the name does, etymologically, infer killing barbers.
This business of using Barbicide on razors and blades is questionable, from what I've read. Perhaps it needs a new thread.
I have a bottle of one of Mr King's competitors around here; if I find it I'll post a picture: I think it is called "Hydroxicide"? I may end up Piffing it. My "collection" is beginning to "border on the hoarder" side of life ....
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- #37
Hopefully it's the "good" oil. (Don't want high cholesterol.)
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- #38
They left off one thing! Synthetic brushes!
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- #39
I like to keep them really clean too. Makes 'em more enjoyable to use the next time.
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- #40
I have no idea what prion is and don't want to know!
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