Sanitizing-disinfecting Use Safety Razor

Major T · Nov 17, 2012

Just got my first vintage Gillette DE razors in the mail today, a 1969 Super Adjustable and 1966 Super Speed-flare tip and would like some help from the experts on getting them ready for action. Looking for safe and effective methods to disinfect and sanitize these old razors for safe-healthy shaving. Both old razors look reasonably clean, shiny, rust and damage free. Thanks for your help.
Major T

luvmysuper · Nov 17, 2012

All you really need to do is wash them with anti-microbial soap (which most dishwashing liquids are today) and scrub them with a soft bristle tooth brush. Give them a shot with scrubbing bubbles, which has germ killing capacity.

If you are the conscientious type, you can dip them in alcohol, and let them air dry, which is deadly to cooties.

If you're the nervous type, you can boil some water, then pour the boiled water on the razors to soak a little. (don't boil the razors themselves)

If you're the paranoid type, you can give them a brief soak in diluted barbicide (available at beauty supply stores).

That's really all there is to it.

Bk124tt · Nov 17, 2012

I fall under Phil's "Paranoid type"! However I picked up a nice glass barbacide( barber shop style) jar and it makes a nice addition to my den. I have also found that a nice soak in barbacide gives a relativly nice cleaning (of soap scum) to my razors.

celestino · Nov 17, 2012

luvmysuper said:
All you really need to do is wash them with anti-microbial soap (which most dishwashing liquids are today) and scrub them with a soft bristle tooth brush. Give them a shot with scrubbing bubbles, which has germ killing capacity.

If you are the conscientious type, you can dip them in alcohol, and let them air dry, which is deadly to cooties.

If you're the nervous type, you can boil some water, then pour the boiled water on the razors to soak a little. (don't boil the razors themselves)

If you're the paranoid type, you can give them a brief soak in diluted barbicide (available at beauty supply stores).

That's really all there is to it.

+1 Great advice!

HoosierTrooper · Nov 18, 2012

freeze205 · Nov 18, 2012

Just a few, LOL!

Mick · Nov 18, 2012

Phil has you all sorted out (as usual).

I keep a an old Marvycide jar with Barbicide in it on the counter.

Looks cool and I dunk my razors about once every other month for 10 minutes in it.

Elder Scrolls · Nov 18, 2012

turtle said:
Phil has you all sorted out (as usual).

I keep a an old Marvycide jar with Barbicide in it on the counter.

Looks cool and I dunk my razors about once every other month for 10 minutes in it.

I should really get one of these barbicide jars...it just looks too cool!

NCJack · Nov 18, 2012

A solution of one part bleach, one part vinegar, and eighteen parts water (of a bit less) will take care of any perceived problems. No need to soak, just dip a few times, after a good brushing first.

luvmysuper · Nov 18, 2012

NCJack said:
A solution of one part bleach, one part vinegar, and eighteen parts water (of a bit less) will take care of any perceived problems. No need to soak, just dip a few times, after a good brushing first.

Not a good idea. While Vinegar lowers the pH of bleach and actually allows it to be a more effective sanitizer, that killing power is only needed for hard to kill critters like Anthrax.
Mixing bleach and vinegar releases chlorine and chloramine gas, which can be deadly to humans in concentrations as low as 1 part per thousand in air.
While you may not get a dose strong enough to kill you, it's more likely you'll get enough to cause lung and respiratory irritation.

Just google "bleach and vinegar" - hundreds of pages pop up warning against the practice, even when diluted with copious amounts of water.

There isn't anything on your razor that needs killing so bad that Barbicide won't do it, but bleach and vinegar will.

mblakele · Nov 18, 2012

Worse than that, bleach and vinegar are both bad for the plating on the razor.

More seriously, http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Safety_razor_maintenance#What_About_Germs has a pretty good discussion of all this.

Viseguy · Nov 18, 2012

luvmysuper said:
All you really need to do is wash them with anti-microbial soap (which most dishwashing liquids are today) and scrub them with a soft bristle tooth brush. Give them a shot with scrubbing bubbles, which has germ killing capacity.

If you are the conscientious type, you can dip them in alcohol, and let them air dry, which is deadly to cooties.

If you're the nervous type, you can boil some water, then pour the boiled water on the razors to soak a little. (don't boil the razors themselves)

If you're the paranoid type, you can give them a brief soak in diluted barbicide (available at beauty supply stores).

That's really all there is to it.

This sums up the personality types nicely. Are you consulting on DSM-5? :biggrin:

jeff_C · Nov 18, 2012

Scrubbing bubbles soak...

or a good soak in alcohol or barbisol.

I got really tweaked out about this a while back... but after asking a similar question, realized that blood borne pathogens need blood... so if the steel is nice and dry and clean, a clean up with any of the items listed above will be adequate...

Enjoy!

luvmysuper · Nov 18, 2012

Viseguy said:
This sums up the personality types nicely. Are you consulting on DSM-5?

No, but I'm sure there's a category there for guys like me who wonder why they changed from Roman Numerals for DSM-IV to Arabic Numberals for DSM-5 (they're not going to call it DSM-V)

Viseguy · Nov 18, 2012

luvmysuper said:
No, but I'm sure there's a category there for guys like me who wonder why they changed from Roman Numerals for DSM-IV to Arabic Numberals for DSM-5 (they're not going to call it DSM-V)

Now that is scary. When I Googled to remind myself what number they were up to, I put in "DSM-V". When it came back Arabic, I was grumbling to myself along the same lines. Please, please don't tell me that it's because people don't know that "V" means 5. Surely the Ph.D.s and M.D.s who use this manual know better. No? Gaaaahhhh!!!!

Dx: Numeric System Inconsistency Outrage Disorder. Rx: A nice relaxing shave.

NCJack · Nov 18, 2012

luvmysuper said:
Not a good idea. While Vinegar lowers the pH of bleach and actually allows it to be a more effective sanitizer, that killing power is only needed for hard to kill critters like Anthrax.
Mixing bleach and vinegar releases chlorine and chloramine gas, which can be deadly to humans in concentrations as low as 1 part per thousand in air.
While you may not get a dose strong enough to kill you, it's more likely you'll get enough to cause lung and respiratory irritation.

Just google "bleach and vinegar" - hundreds of pages pop up warning against the practice, even when diluted with copious amounts of water.

There isn't anything on your razor that needs killing so bad that Barbicide won't do it, but bleach and vinegar will.

Interesting, I've gone on a number of Green Tortoise trips, a touch of bleach only is used to sanitize (as I use in my house), then I saw the "add vinegar" part in some net article by...ready?....the American Vinegar Council (or the like). Never looked into it, mea culpa, but then I've never used the vinegar either, shouldn't have recommended that. Will stick to bleach solution with follow up rinse though.

luvmysuper · Nov 19, 2012

Just trying to keep everyone safe and healthy so they keep coming back to B&B.
Wouldn't want to lose anyone for even a few days!

tfinch · Nov 19, 2012

You know, I'm satisfied with the soapy water/scrubbing bubbles wash.. but that jar looks so cool I'm off to hunt for one now. That would look sharp on my counter top.

luvmysuper · Nov 19, 2012

tfinch said:
You know, I'm satisfied with the soapy water/scrubbing bubbles wash.. but that jar looks so cool I'm off to hunt for one now. That would look sharp on my counter top.

Sally Beauty Supply

Marvicide Jar
http://www.sallybeauty.com/Manicurist-Disinfectant-Jar/SBS-586006,default,pd.html?cgid=Supp11

Barbicide Jar
http://www.sallybeauty.com/Barbicide-Jar/SBS-585016,default,pd.html

tfinch · Nov 19, 2012

Thanks for the links. Pretty inexpensive too!

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Sanitizing-disinfecting Use Safety Razor

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