How do I sterilize a razor?
- Thread starter icedoverfire
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Nothing to say
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Hospitals are full of people with infectious diseases all trying to spread their germs around in a relatively closed environment. They're sticking needles and catheters and whatnot deep into people's bodies, allowing those infectious organisms easy access to new hosts.
A razor that someone else used might have had a drop of blood on it months or years ago. And then sunlight and oxygen did it's work and killed everything off. Remember, nasties live ON metal, not IN it. Rinse the dirt off the surface with soap and water and it's cleaner than the fork you use in a restaurant.
no opinion
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I'm not disagreeing with the fact that it might be overkill but I don't get the toothbrush comment, I use disposable toothbrushes and throw them as needed. I would assume you would treat something permanent with a little more care, since its meant to last.
My pet peeve: Fear Mongering.
Unless you have empirical evidence that there is a hazard from using a razor that has been cleaned and sanitized in the methods mentioned here, then get off it.
Unless you have empirical evidence that there is a hazard from using a razor that has been cleaned and sanitized in the methods mentioned here, then get off it.
No, I think he's coming from the fact that unless you are sterilizing the razor before each and every use, what you are doing is really pretty much worthless... a "nasty bacteria" or virus can settle on your razor as easily the day after you sterilize the razor as it can 2 days, 2 weeks, or a month.
Simply put, a bacterium or virus is not going to be able to multiply on a dry razor surface, so unless you are sterilizing/sanitizing the razor after someone else used it, it's really pretty much not worth your trouble if you are the only one using it.
A tooth brush is a whole different story... there are food and plaque particles that get stuck to a soft bristles, the bristles stay moist and in a nice dark (usually there's not much direct sunlight in a bathroom) place. A wonderful environment for nasties to grow and multiply... So unless you are throwing out/sterilizing your toothbrush WAY more often than worrying about your razor, then worrying about a razor that only you use, is kind of pointless. (Assuming, of course, you haven't accidentally dropped the thing in the toilet, floor etc.)
+1. This thread sounds exactly like another thread from two months ago. I guess I'll expect another one of this threads around the end of September. Some old stuff, just a different day.
Nada to say
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What? 
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Let's not get carried away guys.
Without playing the "internet credentials game" (which is impossible to win) I will say that we have had an emergency room MD weigh in on this subject before. I will reprint the post in its entirety for the edification of the gentlemen (probably few) who care, but the gist of it is that cleaning with Lysol is enough to kill anything you should be worried about.
Emphasis added.
Without playing the "internet credentials game" (which is impossible to win) I will say that we have had an emergency room MD weigh in on this subject before. I will reprint the post in its entirety for the edification of the gentlemen (probably few) who care, but the gist of it is that cleaning with Lysol is enough to kill anything you should be worried about.
Emphasis added.
Have a great day.
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Is Barbicide Plus really that much better than regular Barbicide? I checked the differences, and the only difference I see is that the plus kills Tuberculosis (Tuberculocidal) whereas the regular kills pseudomonas (Pseudomonacide). The Plus is on sale now at Sally's for $19.99 vs $7.99 for the regular.
(EDIT: The website confirms that it's only required in states that require the use of Tuberculocidal disinfectants).
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Tuberculosis is a rather tough bacteria to kill due to a fairly unique cell wall structure, and can live outside a host organism in a dry state for weeks, if I remember correctly. I guess the advantage of the "plus" over the "regular", if you are so inclined to worry about these things, is that if the plus can kill an organism as tough to kill as a TB bacterium, it should be able to render just about anything else safe also.
I use KABOOM - like Scrubbing Bubbles - and Wavicide-01.
Wavicide-01 is a hospital grade germicide/viricide with a corrosion inhibitor. (I had at one time community-acquired MERSA and so I'm a little paranoid.) High level disinfection in 45 minutes and safe on plastics.
I, also, like 91% Rubbing alcohol for followups occasionally ... cleans, disinfects & dries.
Wavicide-01 is a hospital grade germicide/viricide with a corrosion inhibitor. (I had at one time community-acquired MERSA and so I'm a little paranoid.) High level disinfection in 45 minutes and safe on plastics.
I, also, like 91% Rubbing alcohol for followups occasionally ... cleans, disinfects & dries.
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- Thread starter
- #56
@ franz - Sweet! Thanks for the information!
Just FYI, a lower concentration of rubbing alcohol actually disinfects better than 91%.
IIRC, the 70% rubbing alcohol is the optimum concentration. I recall reading that there are studies (which I don't have at hand) that show70% is more effective than 91%
I don't know of anyone who bothers to go through some sort of sanitation procedure with their toothbrushes in between uses. And yet, they stick them into our mouths day after day until they replace them. They use them and put them away wet, much like we do with shaving brushes. And who is sanitizing their shaving brush between uses? Those brushes are used on the same skin as the razor.
All these germaphobes, afraid of their own skins! It's a silly waste of effort to sanitize a personal razor between uses, unless you have some sort of skin condition that warrants it. Shining them up is enough.
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I use my toothbrush until it gets into a deplorable state, and don't think twice about using it for months on end.
