Thread: Bought badger brush on ebay

I am not sure if this item is new and boxed. If not, I'd like to sterilize it but don't want to do anything that will ruin the bristles. What would you suggest? I am also bidding on a hone and would like to ask the same question - if not new how should it be cleaned?

RG, I'm sure there are home remedies out there but classicshaving.com sells a brush cleaner. I use it and it works well. As far a sanitizing it, hmmmmmm. It could probably withstand a dipping in boiling water for a few minutes. I wouldn't trust bleach or anything potent like that.

-Rob

Boiling water is okay for DE razors and a few other items, but not for brushes. Pick up a box of Borax (20 Mule Power) and soak the brush in a 1 tsp to one cup of hot tap water ratio. Soak it for 30 minutes, then start over. Do this until you are comfortable. Boiling water is not healthy for the brush. Bleach will ruin it. Check with EM about her vinegar soak solution. I don't recall the vinegar/water ratio, but if you email her, she will respond.

RT

Good advice Randy

The standard hand sanitizer in food manufacturing is anti-microbial soap (not anti-bacterial, it is not strong enough)...I would think this would work without being too harsh.

Dave

How about alcohol? As far as I know, it'll kill all bacteria on the brush.

For cleaning and conditioning, I just use shampoo and hair conditioner once a month or so.

Originally Posted by heartworm

How about alcohol? As far as I know, it'll kill all bacteria on the brush.

For cleaning and conditioning, I just use shampoo and hair conditioner once a month or so.

I've never tried alcohol. Guess you could be the guinea pig!

RT

anti bacterial soap will do the trick...but there are new brushes avail at all price points...unless buying a rare or unusual brush why not buy new!

What brush did you buy (make and model)?

There were two brushes (both badger), a mug and a stand. One brush is an Ever-Ready R-40, but the name on the other is worn off - the only thing visible is pure badger. For $5 plus shipping it was a great deal as both brushes are in good shape. I have cleaned the brushes with alcohol and hot water with borax, and now am using the Classic Shaving cleaning solution.