I've been reading some past posts on questions people asked of Barbicide and using it to clean their razors.
First off, unless you're really germaphobic, Barbicide is overkill. It's a hospital-grade disinfectant.
First off, Barbicide's first ingredient is....
TADA! Isopropyl Alcohol.
Sound familiar?
It should - Rubbing Alcohol. What some people here say you should "only" use.
That's totally fine, too. But if you don't know if the razor (or blade?) you got from someone may have had AIDS,
Barbicide may be a good choice. Barbicide also kills things that straight rubbing alcohol can't.
Smell the barbicide next time you get it.
Smells really strong of Alcohol, doesn't it?
The second ingredient is Dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, a very strong disinfectant. It is in Scrubbing Bubbles too.
The Sodium Nitrite in the formulation is for anti-rust, so it's safe for metal.
As for using Barbicide on Gold plated items, the answer is don't use it. Something in it reacts with Gold.
Alot of mis-information is being spread around about Barbicide.
Can you use it on your Razor? YES. Blade? YES.
Time to keep it in? Don't do it more than 15 minutes MAXIMUM. The recommended is 10 minutes and is MORE than enough when mixed properly.
All you have to do is LISTEN to the directions - when you take it out of the solution, RINSE IT THOUHORULY IMMEDIATLY WITH WATER.
If it's tap water, distilled, whatever.
I've put the cheapest plated nail clippers in Barbicide several times, and they come out looking shiny and new every time and the
plating is fine after 10+ 10 minute dunks + rinsing.
Someone also posted an article from the City of Ottawa, Canada, that stated Barbicide should not be used with Razor blades or Razors.
Here is the text:
" “Barbicide” cannot be used for any part of a shaving razor or blade that contacts the skin. Critical items such as blades for shaving are single-use
items which must be disposed of in a sharps container immediately after use..."
If you look closely at the article and take it in the proper context, they are discussing BARBERING, not home use. In laymans terms,
they are saying not to use Barbicide to reuse the razor or razorblade, it must be changed each time with a fresh blade in a BARBER setting. That's because
it is touching alot of customers. They are NOT saying it cannot be used to sanitize the razor & blade for YOUR use only.
This is a holdover of precaution because of Barber's itch among other things that was widespread up until the 1950's from re-used razors.
When you think about it, if we can use it and it works, why can't the Barber? Good question, and I'm sure there is a reason, likely having
to do again with touching alot of customers and something that Barbicide can't kill, or just plain caution.
In conclusion, it's fine to use it on your Razor & Blades.
BUT, before dunking it, I would test it on a small area of the razor to make sure (underneath the head would be a good idea).
Generally, however, if it can stand up to rubbing alcohol, it will be fine in Barbicide.
Warning to straight razor users: Keep the handle away from it. It will eat it up - blade ONLY.
Just want to clear some of this up.
IN THE END - IT IS UP TO YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO USE TO CLEAN YOUR RAZORS. BARBICIDE, ALCOHOL, SCRUBBING BUBBLES, ETC.
First off, unless you're really germaphobic, Barbicide is overkill. It's a hospital-grade disinfectant.
First off, Barbicide's first ingredient is....
TADA! Isopropyl Alcohol.
Sound familiar?
It should - Rubbing Alcohol. What some people here say you should "only" use.
That's totally fine, too. But if you don't know if the razor (or blade?) you got from someone may have had AIDS,
Barbicide may be a good choice. Barbicide also kills things that straight rubbing alcohol can't.
Smell the barbicide next time you get it.
Smells really strong of Alcohol, doesn't it?
The second ingredient is Dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, a very strong disinfectant. It is in Scrubbing Bubbles too.
The Sodium Nitrite in the formulation is for anti-rust, so it's safe for metal.
As for using Barbicide on Gold plated items, the answer is don't use it. Something in it reacts with Gold.
Alot of mis-information is being spread around about Barbicide.
Can you use it on your Razor? YES. Blade? YES.
Time to keep it in? Don't do it more than 15 minutes MAXIMUM. The recommended is 10 minutes and is MORE than enough when mixed properly.
All you have to do is LISTEN to the directions - when you take it out of the solution, RINSE IT THOUHORULY IMMEDIATLY WITH WATER.
If it's tap water, distilled, whatever.
I've put the cheapest plated nail clippers in Barbicide several times, and they come out looking shiny and new every time and the
plating is fine after 10+ 10 minute dunks + rinsing.
Someone also posted an article from the City of Ottawa, Canada, that stated Barbicide should not be used with Razor blades or Razors.
Here is the text:
" “Barbicide” cannot be used for any part of a shaving razor or blade that contacts the skin. Critical items such as blades for shaving are single-use
items which must be disposed of in a sharps container immediately after use..."
If you look closely at the article and take it in the proper context, they are discussing BARBERING, not home use. In laymans terms,
they are saying not to use Barbicide to reuse the razor or razorblade, it must be changed each time with a fresh blade in a BARBER setting. That's because
it is touching alot of customers. They are NOT saying it cannot be used to sanitize the razor & blade for YOUR use only.
This is a holdover of precaution because of Barber's itch among other things that was widespread up until the 1950's from re-used razors.
When you think about it, if we can use it and it works, why can't the Barber? Good question, and I'm sure there is a reason, likely having
to do again with touching alot of customers and something that Barbicide can't kill, or just plain caution.
In conclusion, it's fine to use it on your Razor & Blades.
BUT, before dunking it, I would test it on a small area of the razor to make sure (underneath the head would be a good idea).
Generally, however, if it can stand up to rubbing alcohol, it will be fine in Barbicide.
Warning to straight razor users: Keep the handle away from it. It will eat it up - blade ONLY.
Just want to clear some of this up.
IN THE END - IT IS UP TO YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO USE TO CLEAN YOUR RAZORS. BARBICIDE, ALCOHOL, SCRUBBING BUBBLES, ETC.
Last edited: