Thread: How to sterilize my blade?

Originally Posted by Qatsats

I've not read advice about buying a separate set of shaving towels before this. I've not had any problems with rashes or infections. I use the same towel for a week. It is washed in warm water without bleach. Can anyone direct me to more information on this topic?

Do a web search for "barber beautician rules towels"
and you will find numerous state and local rules and
regulations mandating clean linen for each customer.
Harder to find are commercial laundry regulations but
commercial towel and linen services do a good job.

There will not be a lot of shaving specific information on this.
It is my personal opinion based on my Dads guidance years ago
when I first started shaving. My Dad made the point that shaving
required sanitary practices like surgery. He did encounter
problems in the Pacific Islands during WW2 where sanitation
took a second place to self protection.

Towels like socks should be laundered often.

Shaving removes a little to a lot of the surface of the skin and
that surface is for many of us the first line of defense for infections
of a hundred plus types.

Old barber books mandate a clean fresh towel for each customer.
Modern barber rules mandate a fresh towel (paper or linen) for
each customer and the barber cannot wipe his/her hand on the
towel used on customers skin (or hair)

Spa, hotels and pools will provide fresh towels daily.
Commercial laundry is a lot more aggressive than home laundry.

As for bleach, (remember that the OP felt he was coping with
a fungus) it is common sense to use the most common disinfectant
available. And I would note that the energy efficient cold
water detergents clean well but depend on the dryer for
the sanitation that heat can add. The natural UV from the
sun is also excluded (no one has an outdoor cloth line).

IMO too many folk toss damp towels in a lump in a hamper
with dirty socks and let them "ferment" for a week before getting
laundered. They wear out quickly and are less likely to
be "sanitary" even after the laundry.

As for using a towel for a week -- sure. If you are relentless
about hanging it out to dry in a well ventilated place. Still,
a fresh towel for each shave is a better idea.

Summary: Sanitation is a good idea.