How do YOU do it? Clean your DE Razor that is!

[BigJ]

Great thread with opinions all over the waterfront!!

I clean my razors with soap, water and a soft tooth brush when I change blades. Then wipe them with a soft cloth.

But, to each his own!!

 

[Barry24]

I use a mix of warm water and 5% of concentrated car degreaser that is suitable for car exteriors.
Soak for 5-10 minutes and rinse off with no scrubbing required.

Most car exterior products are paint, plastic and chrome safe so wont tarnish razors.
The are also very cost effective and have of many uses. Can't say for all brands but the brand I use leaves razors looking like new.
Rubbing a chrome finish with a cloth or toothbrush will cause micro scratches that will dull the finish over time.

 

[bbobbdd]

I use a mix of warm water and 5% of concentrated car degreaser that is suitable for car exteriors.
Soak for 5-10 minutes and rinse off with no scrubbing required.

Most car exterior products are paint, plastic and chrome safe so wont tarnish razors.
The are also very cost effective and have of many uses. Can't say for all brands but the brand I use leaves razors looking like new.
Rubbing a chrome finish with a cloth or toothbrush will cause micro scratches that will dull the finish over time.

That is the first time I heard of doing that and it makes sense!

May I ask what brand you use? Does it work for stainless steel and other metals too?

Has anyone else tried this? Thanks.

 

[gpjoe]

Rinse, shake, mop up obvious water droplets on the outside with a hand towel after shaving.

I do a "deep cleaning" when I remove the blade, after 5-6 shaves:

Remove blade, wipe parts with a hand towel.

I've never gotten any soap build up or any sign of corrosion.

 

[HDSledge]

A razor does not need regular cleaning unless you don't rinse it out after a shave, then you are asking for trouble. Rinse the razor out with water from the tap, gently pat dry (don't rub since even one grain of sand on the towel will leave a scratch) and let it dry out of the case. Don't put a wet razor back in the case. Don't use oil on a sticky mechanism, it can attract dirt, make an abrasive paste and eventually wear out the moving parts. Never use toothpaste unless you are working on a bit of corrosion. It is abrasive, if only slightly. Some razors like old gold washed Gillette's have very thin plating. Toothpaste will damage it, I know because I have done it myself before I learned the lesson the hard way. No need to use a brush of any kind unless you buy a razor that is grimy and gummed up. If you receive a dirty, gummed up one here are my rules, learned from collecting over the years:
1. Start with an overnight soak in hot water and Dawn dish detergent (a cup of water and squirt of the Dawn)
2. Use a soft bristle toothbrush and mild soap like Dawn (with care) to get grime out of nooks and crannies.
3. Again, NO abrasives, except in case of corrosion, see #6.
4 No ultrasonic cleaners unless only briefly.
5. No harsh chemicals, bleach, ammonia, etc. Some can discolor plating. Use only mild soap like Dawn and water in the cleaner if you must use the ultrasonic device.
6. Vintage silver plated Gillette's with spots of corrosion can be restored with gentle polish (toothpaste or sliver polish) only on the corroded area. A toothbrush is handy in this case to get the polish into the knurling. The Gillette silver plate is thicker than the gold plate and can take some minor polishing.
7. When you shake it out make sure you have a good grip!

Enjoy the shaves!

 

[Barry24]

That is the first time I heard of doing that and it makes sense!

May I ask what brand you use? Does it work for stainless steel and other metals too?

Has anyone else tried this? Thanks.

I use Bilt Hamber Surfex-HD which is made in the UK so easy to get in Europe.
I only use it on cars so cant say how well it would clean stainless steel, but its water based so safe to use on glass, carpets, plastic. etc. Its one the best multi-use products you can get.

You can mix 200:1 for most uses but I don't care too much about accurate ratios.
Fill a small bowl and put razors, jewelry, etc in and let soak for a few minutes.

A lot of people suggest using toothpaste but toothpaste is a mild abrasive and will damage a razors finish.
Even a dry microfibre cloth will scratch. If using any type of cloth to clean you should at least ensure its wet or damp.
Contactless cleaning is always the best, so liquid solution and rinse or ultrasonic clean would my recommendation.

 

[bbobbdd]

I use Bilt Hamber Surfex-HD which is made in the UK so easy to get in Europe.
I only use it on cars so cant say how well it would clean stainless steel, but its water based so safe to use on glass, carpets, plastic. etc. Its one the best multi-use products you can get.

You can mix 200:1 for most uses but I don't care too much about accurate ratios.
Fill a small bowl and put razors, jewelry, etc in and let soak for a few minutes.

A lot of people suggest using toothpaste but toothpaste is a mild abrasive and will damage a razors finish.
Even a dry microfibre cloth will scratch. If using any type of cloth to clean you should at least ensure its wet or damp.
Contactless cleaning is always the best, so liquid solution and rinse or ultrasonic clean would my recommendation.

Darn, don't think it's available in the North America, but I'm sure there must be something similiar here.
But you points are well taken. Anyone else who lives in this neck of the woods have a recommendation. Amazon based would be ideal. AND are there any metal types your idea doesn't work on or can do more harm, then good? Until then, Dawn dish liquid, I think can work.

 

[Wombat ESQ]

AND are there any metal types your idea doesn't work on or can do more harm, then good?

Aluminium!
Here in AU there is a product just colloquialy called "truck wash" the relative of it is CT18, not the same as truck wash but both names are just used for the similar stuff, the proper truck wash will eat aluminium, it is on the caustic side of the scale. Caustic substances are good truck cleaners, also commercial dishwashers use caustic powder dosed accordingly, and will strip chrome from brass dishwasher parts over a LONG period, yet knives/forks/spoons are ok with less exposure.

It's a Horses for Courses, time vs strength vs what "exactly" is in that product?

 

[Barry24]

Darn, don't think it's available in the North America, but I'm sure there must be something similiar here.
But you points are well taken. Anyone else who lives in this neck of the woods have a recommendation. Amazon based would be ideal. AND are there any metal types your idea doesn't work on or can do more harm, then good? Until then, Dawn dish liquid, I think can work.

A lot of car detailing stores would have it.

Here's one;

only sale 5.35 usd for Bilt Hamber Surfex HD All Purpose Cleaner

only sale 5.35 usd for Bilt Hamber Surfex HD All Purpose Cleaner get free shipping and enjoy the best quality.

www.slimsdevbtailing.shop

 

[LRod]

Dawn dish soap & Q-tips to clean, rinse and then dry with a microfiber cloth!
It's soft and gets the hard to reach spots.
I fully clean the razors after every shave and I yet to get any
scratches on any of my razors by using this method.

 

[Barry24]

A lot of car detailing stores would have it.

Here's one;

only sale 5.35 usd for Bilt Hamber Surfex HD All Purpose Cleaner

only sale 5.35 usd for Bilt Hamber Surfex HD All Purpose Cleaner get free shipping and enjoy the best quality.

www.slimsdevbtailing.shop

 

[Barry24]

Another type of car product called a fall out remover is used to desolve rust on body panels and wheels. its safe to use on painted surfaces and only reacts to rust. I have never used on a razor as I don't buy old razors.
I would not use a combined wheel cleaner and fall out remover as they may be a bit too aggressive. Bilt Hamber also do a fall out remover called Korrosol which is excellent but lots of similar products would be available in North America.
I'm not trying to promote he company, I'm just a fan of their products.

 

[fieldsjj]

I know, there must be several opinions regarding this and I've heard a few. I did a quick search here and didn't come up with an answer.

The one that puzzles me is I was told to NEVER use a soft toothbrush!

I was told, "rinse it, use Dawn dish soap to clean it and then a microsoft towel to dry and buff it." The part that doesn't make sense to me is "how do you get into the nooks and crannies, to get the hair and shave soap out" and the razor clean.

Of course I've also heard "use a soft toothbrush and Dawn" (I question the frequency).

So, to all of you who do clean their razors, be they $25 or $300 tell us how you do it and why it works, please!

Thanks all you seasoned wet shaving experts.

Dawn Powerwash melts soap scum off. I use it and and hot water regularly on my razors

 

[kaufdrop27]

Rinse between passes

 

[Novac]

Hm, I think that the razor is already cleaned with a good soap during the shave. Why do you want to clean it?

 

[Ckmaui]

I wipe them down with a microfiber cloth after every use and that keeps the scum at bay. I don’t have to ever do deep cleans.

DITTO
on the timeless with that loop they have I do run a bottle brush that fits it perfect every month or so as I get a touch of build up the other razors did not have loop so never needed it
but as said just wipe every day and also as said its already in soap I feel no need to use anymore
in AZ with insane hard water but since its dried and wiped it never sets and makes spots

me every day
take apart wipe down blot blade assemble ready for the next day

 

[reformedshavr]

an hour soak in scrubbing bubbles once or twice a year .... gets rid of the soap scum in the nooks