Thread: A final word on sterilization

Im a newbie but after reading about this I think its fair to say that:

Dipping the blade in Barbicide for a while, cleaning it with soap and a brush, and boiling the blade for couple minutes and drying it will disinfect the blade enough. Maybe wipe some 70% alcohol and sunlight to be absolutely sure.

But Bleach should be avoided as it damages the blade and wont do any good.

Originally Posted by kiflo

Dipping the blade in Barbicide for a while, cleaning it with soap and a brush, and boiling the blade for couple minutes and drying it will disinfect the blade enough. Maybe wipe some 70% alcohol and sunlight to be absolutely sure.

Well, you won't be absolutely sure, but maybe you'll feel better.
If you decide to boil the blade, you'd better be darn sure to protect your scales. Many of them cannot handle the heat of the steam coming off of the boiling water. Whatever effort you use to protect your hand from the heat should also be used to protect the scales.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Well, you won't be absolutely sure, but maybe you'll feel better.
If you decide to boil the blade, you'd better be darn sure to protect your scales. Many of them cannot handle the heat of the steam coming off of the boiling water. Whatever effort you use to protect your hand from the heat should also be used to protect the scales.

Right, I'm not sure how I would go about boiling the blade yet but I sure won't let the scales over where the steam goes.
And we'll maybe you won't be absolutely sure, but wouldn't it be as sure as can be? Is there anything else that can further disinfect the blade? And would it be enough for disinfecting a new blade?

Originally Posted by kiflo

Right, I'm not sure how I would go about boiling the blade yet but I sure won't let the scales over where the steam goes.
And we'll maybe you won't be absolutely sure, but wouldn't it be as sure as can be? Is there anything else that can further disinfect the blade? And would it be enough for disinfecting a new blade?

I think you're way to worried about this. If you're genuinely concerned, the barbicide along would be the best you can do short of autoclaving.

I can attest to the corrosive properties of bleach from personal experience. Years ago before I straight shaved and was using a DE I had bought a brand spanking new mercur DE, don't remember the name but it's the expensive one vision I think. I decided to soak it in about an 80% bleach solution for about 20 minutes to clean it. When I came back the plating was gone and there were big pits in the razor. Actually come to think of it when I trashed that, that's when I decided to get a straight and try that.