Razor cleaning

[punekari]

I have been using an EJ 89 razor for a few weeks and can't get over how dirty it gets. Soap scum forms very easily on this. It's probably due to the hard water at my house. Any suggestions on keeping this particular razor clean? How often do you recommend cleaning it to maintain its plating. I don't want to use harsh chemicals that might affect the plating or worse, my face! Does white vinegar work on this without destroying the plating.
Thanks

 

[Gary H]

I use hot water and a toothbrush immediately after each use then a thorough dry. I've been at it a month and the razor still looks like it did the day I opened it.

 

[Sir Lurkalot]

Scrubbing bubbles but if you don't want to use that then use dawn dish detergent

 

[stvsctt]

I run my finger with some bar soap on it all around the razor being careful near the blade edge after every shave, then a rinse in some hot water, keeps it shiny until i change the blade, then i give it a good scrub with an old toothbrush with just a bit of liquid or from a bar of soap on the sink ,
i wouldn't use vinegar, there is a thread on here about someone soaking his edwin jagger in vinegar and the screw threads started dissolving, it's very acidic
you can take the blade out and clean after every shave but you may tire of doing this,
a quick rub with my finger with some soap on it gets rid of the white film for me.

 

[Dusty1]

I don't do anything to mine except wipe it with a towel every week or so. Once every few months I will scrub it with an old toothbrush and toothpaste and it looks new again. Nothing more is needed unless its vintage IMO. Enjoy your shave!

 

[Copierguy]

I have been using an EJ 89 razor for a few weeks and can't get over how dirty it gets. Soap scum forms very easily on this. It's probably due to the hard water at my house. Any suggestions on keeping this particular razor clean? How often do you recommend cleaning it to maintain its plating. I don't want to use harsh chemicals that might affect the plating or worse, my face! Does white vinegar work on this without destroying the plating.
Thanks

Welcome to B&B. I think you are correct that your water plays a big role here. Congrats for asking before trying something harsh. I've seen some sad stories that started with "I tried soaking my razor in XXXXX, and when I got home from work........" Everyone's situation is different. Scrubbing bubbles or dish washing soap and a toothbrush are popular cleaners around here.

 

[HotToddy]

Every so often I will also let the head of my razors sit in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes and then scrub them with a tooth brush then back into the alcohol for a quick rinse then I do a final rinse with hot water. I then towel dry as best as I can and I leave them out overnight without putting them together to let them completely air dry.
Now the thing I worry about is cleaning my brush.

Cheers,
Todd

 

[bryan1980]

I use hot water and a toothbrush immediately after each use then a thorough dry. I've been at it a month and the razor still looks like it did the day I opened it.

+1.

 

[cernel_joson]

Lighter fluid melts soap scum, residue, and water stains much better than scrubbing bubbles. If it weren't for lighter fluid, I'd have some pretty disgusting vintage razors.

 

[Mick]

I remove the blade from my razors after each shave (except for injectors which do not remove). Then I towel dry the razor. This removes most of the daily yuck. Using this method I only need to use a soft tooth brush with dish soap on them about every 2 or 3 months.

 

[Elder Scrolls]

Dishwashing liquid + toothbrush

 

[Rob72]

I found a cool Barbicide jar last week, so I've been dunking my razors every third shave or so. Works extremely well. I bought the $8.95 Barbicide at Sally Beauty Supply & it will easily last a year.

 

[Duran805]

I just rinse and spray the head with alcohol and hang to dry. When I change the blade ill take a tooth brush to it.

 

[punekari]

Thanks for all the responses! I tried the simplest thing .. using a toothbrush and hot water rinse right after a shave. Seemed to work really well. I'll have to look at the other options (scrubbing bubbles, hydogen peroxide) every now and then to keep things sanitary but the hot water and toothbrush trick seems to work very well (and is very easy!)

Now I"ll just to have to remember which toothbrush I"m using for this (don't want to end up using the wife's....)

j/k - we both use the mechanical toothbrushes so I have a trust old manual toothbrush handy for the razors!