How do I keep the razor clean and sparkly?

[DigitalGee]

Obviously, just rinsing my Merkur razor from AOS after each shave isn't doing the trick. What should I be doing on a regular basis to keep it looking new and shiny?

And, switching topics, what does "In M3 Remission" (below my screen name) mean?

[mekler]

I've just been cleaning mine with a soft toothbrush and hot soapy water once I rotate in another razor.. otherwise I just rinse, dry it with a towel and stick it back on the stand.

[Jakpro]

I have simply been wiping them down after use with a towel and they seem to stay shiny and soap scum free.

[fast14riot]

Once a week or so I give mine a soak in hot soapy water and a scrub with an old toothbrush. Change the water and soak for another hour. I have hard water and I try to make sure my final rinse is in purified/distilled water. Follow up with a jewelers cloth for that sparkle.

The "In M3 remission" thing is an automtically changing title, often of some sort of shaving humor. M3= gillette Mach3 cartridges. Its one of the little pleasures of the people who run this great place!


-Xander

[stuart12dz]

[hide][top]"How do I keep the razor clean and sparkly"?

Scubbing Bubbles or something similar and a toothbrush once or twice a month if you're losing sleep over it . Other than that, gently wipe it down with a towel. If you get over enthusiastic (too anal) about keeping it clean & sparkly, you run the risk of damaging the plating. Keep in mind that it's just a razor and I doubt that anyone will look down upon you if they come over to your place for a visit and notice that it has a bit of soap scum on it. :)

[Henrik]

[h=2] If you get over enthusiastic (too anal) about keeping it clean & sparkly, you run the risk of damaging the plating.

Agree on above. Me myself I use mild dishwashing liquid (hand) OR toothpaste- togheter with a soft toothbrush. Get´s nickel and rhodium to sparkle. I don´t have gold plated razors so I can´t vouch for that stuff with going with these given options. Why use soap? That is the stuff you want to keep away from building up. Just my two cents..

[xraygun]

I keep an apothecary jar half full of 151 Bacardi on the counter. After shaving, I loosen the head, give it a hot water rinse and dunk it in the rum. I never have to clean my razors. No soap scum buildup.

[DigitalGee]

Having no Scrubbing Bubbles on hand, I tried a drop of dishwashing soap and an old toothbrush and voila! Looks brand new again. Thanks, everyone.

[fast14riot]

I keep an apothecary jar half full of 151 Bacardi on the counter. After shaving, I loosen the head, give it a hot water rinse and dunk it in the rum. I never have to clean my razors. No soap scum buildup.

That can be considered alcohol abuse by some! But keeping m booze in the bathroom never occured to me.


-Xander

[cryhavoc]

I use warm soapy water and a tooth brush when I change blades.

[Chester]

Scrubbing bubbles and a toothbrush is an old standby and nice & cheap.
However, if you are going to do many razor restorations in the future, you'll get good results and save time if you invest $50 in an ultrasonic cleaner. It's good for multiple uses -- cleaning eyeglasses and jewelry, for example, too.
Hope it helps,
-- Chet

[jason192783]

I have simply been wiping them down after use with a towel and they seem to stay shiny and soap scum free.

+1

it's all I have ever done to my merkurs, and they look as good as when I bought them
after every shave I wipe 'em clean and that's it

[xraygun]

That can be considered alcohol abuse by some! But keeping m booze in the bathroom never occured to me.


-Xander

Nobody believes me but it really works. Plus it smells darn good.

[ThePatrician]

I use warm soapy water and a tooth brush when I change blades.

I change my blades once a week, and after I take the old blade out I use hot water and a few strokes across a bar of soap with an old soft-bristled toothbrush. A few scrubs with the soapy toothbrush, rinse, and air-dry and the razor stays nice and clean. You may want to cut down the old toothbrush for your cleaning your razors so you don't confuse it for your new one.

The "M3 Remission" tag is the pleasure of the owners, if you notice we all have them. "We all float down here, Georgie!"

[turtle]

I shave with a different razor/blade combo every day so every day the blade comes out of the razor and it gets patted off then put aside for use another day.

The razor gets towel dried which removes any soap residue and cleans off any spots that might have built up from use that day.

Once every 20 or so shaves (or when ever they start to look dull inside) the razors will get a brushing with a soft tooth brush and some dish soap.

I've always followed this regiment, even when I only had 1 DE razor.

This method/system has kept even my 45 year old DE looking the same as the day I unwrapped it from the plastic card pack

[bobfarvour]

I wipe mine off with a towel after I'm done each time.

[Phillips]

Run it through the dish washer once in a while.

[smoothie72]

Scrubbing bubbles +1 spray a little on your razor let it ait a few minutes toothbrush and rinse

[BBrad]

Run it through the dish washer once in a while.

Please do not do this . . . Automatic dish washer detergent is very corrosive. It cleans, but not very gently!!

The most basic solutions are the best . . . hot water, soap, toothbrush. How often it is needed depends on your water conditions, since hard water not only contains minerals but also causes soap to precipitate out and not rinse cleanly. I have very soft water and I clean the razors in my rotation every six or seven months. When I visit my parents in Florida, I have to clean my razor after only one week in their hard water.

Scrubbing Bubbles is not harmful to razors when used as a spray on, scrub, and rinse off cleaner. Don't use SB as a soak; it will also cause discoloration of any exposed brass.

The 151 Bacardi (ethyl alcohol in a 75.5% concentration) is fine for a dip to displace water, but since alcohol is corrosive razors should not be left to soak in rum or any other spirits . . .

[Paddan1000]

The 151 Bacardi (ethyl alcohol in a 75.5% concentration) is fine for a dip to displace water, but since alcohol is corrosive razors should not be left to soak in rum or any other spirits . . .

After each shave I dip my razor in 99% alcohol that I borrowed from work, although I let in air-dry immediately afterwards. Could that still corrode my razor, or is it only spirits meant for consumption that are corrosive due to the additional ions dissolved in the solution?