How To Clean Your Safety Razor

How to Clean Your Safety Shaver

This maintenance manual contains the best methods to keep your safety shaver in top condition for many years to come.

Some of the cleaning techniques should be applied daily and others once a week or monthly, depending on the use of the machine.

These guidelines apply to two types of machines:

1. with a butterfly mechanism 

2. three-piece machine

A machine that is not cleaned properly accumulates solid residues such as soap or shaving cream, hair, skin particles and salts.

After a while, these residues lead to potential microbial outbreaks, but also lead to significant wear and tear on the machine over time.

Here's what to do after each use and how to clean your machine thoroughly.

After each use

After shaving, soak the machine for a few minutes in a bowl of warm water.

Unscrew the handle to remove the head (or to open the doors if it's a butterfly) and allow the water to enter and clean the machine.

Leave the blade in to be disinfected as well.

Rinse the machine with running hot water.

Immerse it in the hot water a few times and then shake it to remove any traces of moisture you can.

Screw the head back on and shake well to dry.

Don't tighten the mechanism too much, just enough to screw it in properly.

Keep in a dry place.

If you only use this method after each use, once a week or monthly, you will need to do a deep cleaning.

Deep cleaning

This way you will ensure that you have removed all residues from your machine.

What you will need:

- Soft toothbrush 

- Soft dish soap (even better if it's antimicrobial)

- If your toothpicks and cotton swabs are also effective (if they have a mild detergent (if they are antimicrobial), they should be clean and free from bacteria

First of all, you need to remove the blade

Immerse the machine for about 5 minutes in warm water to soften the embedded debris.

Use a soft toothbrush with dish soap to scrub the entire surface of the machine.

Do not scrub too hard as you may strain some mechanisms, always do it gently.

Perform several back and forth movements, in circular motions, but small and gentle on the weaker areas.

You must pay attention especially to the head area where the blade is placed because that is where most dirt accumulates.

Rinse after the first time and rub again in the tighter areas.

You can use the cotton toothpick or cotton swab to reach the areas the toothbrush can't reach.

Rinse a second time with running water, dry with some paper towels and let it dry outdoors, if possible in a ventilated place with some sunlight, which will also help kill germs (UV rays).

If your razor has printed letters or numbers on it, avoid over-sanding these areas because you will gradually remove the paint.

If you follow these cleaning methods, you will have a spotlessly clean, germ-free razor that will maintain its shine for many years to come.

The better you take care of your machine, the longer it will be with you for your shaving sessions.