Thread: Cleaning the brush

Why is leaving the soap on the brush a bad idea?

I've seen bunch of folks using hand waving explanations (e.g. imagine leaving soap on the head etc.) but IMO that is not a convincing argument.
I'd get a quick smack on the head if I said something like there is no way a naturally occurring stone can finish better than a carefully formulated synthetics (or will I?).

Seems to me that in 20+ posts, the only one that has actual extensive experience with this is DaveW and he sees no problem with it.
Is there anyone with actual experience who has seen deterioration in the quality of their brush or shave?
Or what is the basis for condemning the practice (perhaps health concern?)

Cleaning extends the life of the brush and diminishes infectious agents.

Here is what I do to ensure the brush is clean and dry for my next shave.

1) After the shave, I rinse the brush thoroughly with hot water and gently squeeze the knot and shake out the excess water in the sink.

2) Gently squeeze the knot between a dry hand towel a few times.

3) Lastly, fast, smooth arm swings like a backwards softball pitch to sling some more (no whipping or snapping motion as this can damage and weaken the brush)

4) Place upside down in my stand to air dry

My brush is clean and completely drys within 12 hours.

I've been very quickly snapping mine to get the water out. It's lasted 30 years now.

My oldest son and I got brushes from Target the same day ($20.00 each) two years ago, I remember thinking that this is cool getting shaving stuff with my son. Since then I still have that brush and his hairs fell out like the ones on my head, I wash out mine and hang it every time I shave 3-4 times a week. He on the other hand does not and only shaves 1-2 times a week and had to replace it about three mounths ago. So just saying maybe somthing to the cleaning thing
Rich

All I have to say is YUCK! I don't care how clean your face is there are always some dead skin cells present, which I am sure would be happy to multiply into some sort of nastiness...(Shaving bump party anyone???) Sorry to be so blunt but YUCKKKKK!

Originally Posted by RDM2

Since then I still have that brush and his hairs fell out like the ones on my head

Thanks for that.
I actually started experimenting on this starting yesterday (leaving one of my brushes with lather on, but squeezed/flicked to semi-dry). Will report back if it ever starts to shed like your son's did.

Originally Posted by JoeSomebody

All I have to say is YUCK! I don't care how clean your face is there are always some dead skin cells present, which I am sure would be happy to multiply into some sort of nastiness...(Shaving bump party anyone???) Sorry to be so blunt but YUCKKKKK!

FACT:40% of the dust in your house is made up of dead/shed skin cells,is part of life

Originally Posted by JoeSomebody

All I have to say is YUCK! I don't care how clean your face is there are always some dead skin cells present, which I am sure would be happy to multiply into some sort of nastiness...(Shaving bump party anyone???) Sorry to be so blunt but YUCKKKKK!

I doubt that dead skin cells are capable of much in the way of multiplication. They can't even divide.

I guess a better response would have been that I rinse my brush thoroughly after every shave, shake it out and put it in a stand with the bristles pointing down to dry. I also would like to note that I do not wipe the floor with a washrag before using it on my body in the bath...

Originally Posted by ace

I doubt that dead skin cells are capable of much in the way of multiplication. They can't even divide.

Took me a few seconds to get that.
I like!!!