Question About Bleach & Vintage Razors

[Jeff_H]

I need to clean a couple of vintage razors so I can shave with them. I've read several threads about using hot (near boiling) water and dish soap to soak and loosen dirt and clean vintage razors, as well as scrubbing bubbles. My wife suggested a couple of capfulls of bleach in the bowl as well, just to help disinfect.

Harm or no harm to the vintage finish?

 

[franz]

I strongly recommend against using bleach. It tends to damage plating.

 

[dieselfuel79]

The words "bleach" and "Vintage razors" should not even be in the same sentence.

 

[VerbaVolant]

No.

 

[santamariasteve]

Disinfect? Disinfect from what? When you eat in a public restaurant, do you dip the eating utensiles in bleach before using them?

Warm water, soap, a little soak, and a little gentle scrubbing with a soft old toothbrush does the job well. Putting the razor outside in sunlight (in a safe place) for several hours also might have some value if one has a real fear of "germs."

I suggest using "near boiling water" to clean razors also is overkill (no pun intended). When you wash your hands after using the restroom, do you use "near boiling water?" Why not? Do you think other people should?

 

[Mark1966]

^^^ as above.

Strong alkaline or acid solutions will really exacerbate any breach of the plating and encourage oxidation.

 

[Sir Lurkalot]

Yeah, here we go again. Phobias.

Today I cleaned a recent score (#15 Brit Aristocrat) which may have a rhodium plating. I used a cleaner that had some chlorine in it and it really did a number on the shine it looks a bit dull and tarnished now. Did I wreck the finish or is there a polish that will bring back the shine?

See this link: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/30131-Cleaning-DE-razors

 

[Wingnut]

Just say NO!

 

[Gary H]

No bleach I almost wrecked an aluminum tech luckily a neighbor had a pro buffing set up and brought it back to it's original state for me.

 

[Jeff_H]

Thanks guys. I got it. I'm not a germaphobe, but anything that's had other peoples blood, sweat, skin, hair, etc on it I'd like to be as clean as possible. I doubt that most of those who think I'm a bit silly would use someone else's toothbrush let's say, after just rinsing it in some warm water. I have a pretty sturdy immune system and rarely even get a cold, but my wife has a condition called common immunodeficiency syndrome, which basically means her immune system doesn't remember her last cold or virus or infection, so every time she gets something it's like the first time for her...and more severe. Therefore, I'm careful to make sure I do all I can to keep her environment clear of as much as I can. That's all.

I appreciate all the advice and suggestions.

 

[ackvil]

When I get a vintage razor I rinse it under hot water and then spray Scrubbing Bubbles on it. I let it sit for about 30 seconds then use a soft toothbrush to clean it. I then rinse again under hot water, dry it, and dip the head in rubbing alcohol. No germs or bugs will escape that treatment.

 

[Maxime D.]

I'll only say this, ABORT THE MISSION !

 

[Mick]

If you want to be on the disinfectant side find a sally beauty in your local area and buy a bottle of barbicide.

http://stores.sallybeauty.com/StoreLocator.aspx

FOLLOW THE MIXING/DILUTION instructions (32 to 1) and NEVER leave anything in it longer than 10 minutes.

You can also get a cool barber's jar to keep your mix in if you have the room, otherwise a well rinsed pickle jar with a lid works just as well

 

[ateace]

Jeff_H,

Big points to you for asking first. There is a lot of great advice here.

My cleaning method:

1.) Rinse under hot running water.
2.) Scrubbing Bubbles
3.) Place razor in boiling water for 2-3 minutes (DO NOT do this if the razor is gold plated. It will remove the outer layer of laquer).
4.) Scrub and polish with a soft toothbrush and regular toothpaste (not gel or anything too fancy). You can get into all the nooks and crannies this way.
5.) Soak for 10 minutes in Barbicide or Mar-V-Cide.
6.) Final thorough rinse in hot water.

I'm a germophobe and this satisfies me.

 

[WVUfanMG]

There was another thread by an MD on here about using Lysol concentrate to disinfect old razors. If you get a bottle (sold at WallyWorld) and follow the directions (5 tablespoons per quart), a 10 minute soak will disinfect your equipment. I just cleaned up 20 razors this weekend and used the Dawn soak, scrubbing bubbles/toothbrush scrub, polish, and Lysol treatment. I'll have no problem shaving with any of them now.

 

[onotoman]

Any germs present on a razor will be dead by the time you receive it through the post.

An Ultrasonic cleaner is good for removing soap build-up from inside a razor.

When sending a razor for replating, some guys enquire whether germs present on the razor will be killed by the process. My usual answer is 'if anything lives through an ultrasonic and chemical stripping process at 80 degrees C, then a dip in Sulphuric Acid, then 2 hours in a tank full of highly toxic plating chemicals, it isn't from this world and deserves to be on that razor!'

 

[WVUfanMG]

My usual answer is 'if anything lives through an ultrasonic and chemical stripping process at 80 degrees C, then a dip in Sulphuric Acid, then 2 hours in a tank full of highly toxic plating chemicals, it isn't from this world and deserves to be on that razor!'

Hahaha....that's great. Ripley's DNA was found on my razor! (for all the Alien fans out there)