Thread: Disinfect a used razor?

Originally Posted by Utopian

You will optimize disinfection if you use 70% alcohol.

So Isopropyl Alcohol (70%) mixed with Mineral Oil would be a good disinfectant and protector.

How about Isopropyl Alcohol (91%) mixed with Mineral Oil?

I was thinking about taking a 16Oz bottol of Isopropyl Alcohol and adding a cap of Mineral oil to the Alcohol.

when you guys use barbicide, do you soak the entire razor, scales and all?

1. The critical hazard with old razors acquired is Staphylococcus aureus.

2. The critical hazard with razors in use is S. aureus and other skin pathogens (shaving will spread acne, if the blade is not sanitized between uses or cleaned thoroughly).

3. Alcohol in the 50-90% range will kill vegetative (growing) bacteria and viruses. But it has little effect on spores. (Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) spores in the laboratory are applied to test surfaces using a 50% alcohol solution. They love the 100-proof stuff!)

4. Chlorine is a strong oxidizing agent. To use hypochlorous acid as a disinfectant on steel, the solution should be in the 6.5-7.2 pH range, and the solution should be diluted until the ORP (oxidation-reduction potential) is below +700 mV. This will prevent rapid corrosion. This is achieved by using equal amounts of 6% bleach and 5% white vinegar, plus dilution to about 0.5 ppm. The container used for make-up will adsorb quite a bit of hypochlorous acid, so you have to make the solution stronger, or do it multiple times and discard to coat the surface. The simplest thing is to make the solution a little stronger, say 1/4 tsp bleach plus 1/4 tsp white vinegar in a quart of water. Then immerse the blade for 60 seconds and remove. If your blade turns orangy, your solution is way too strong, and you've altered the surface metal. If the solution is really strong (say 600+ ppm), you will even get pitting.

5. A method they use in the lab is to dip the blade in 91% isopropanol and then light. This is called "flaming". They do it with scalpels. It may discolor or alter the blade if it burns too long. The new method is a heater pot with glass beads @ 350 F. (Don't catch your scales on fire!)

6. My preferred method is: a) Clean the blade with soap and a toothbrush. b) Wipe clean. c) Strop to clean the edge. d) Boil water and fill a cup. Immerse the blade for one minute. Remove. This method will clean off spores and kill everything else, and doesn't hurt the blade.

7. Hydrogen peroxide is an even more potent oxidizer than chlorine. It will corrode a blade too.

Plain alcohol works according to my doctor. Juan

I recently bought a used Dovo Bismarck with olivewood scales, I normally disinfect my used razors by submerging them in diluted chlorine and then soap and water, however I don't want to risk the wooden scales, do you have any suggestions on how to disinfect this particular blade?

I don't know that particular razor , as to what was used to seal the wood, but I'm sure something was, since it will come in contact with water eventually. If you don't want to risk Barbicide for 5 minutes, then use your anti-bacterial soap & water, then a wipe down with rubbing alcohol.

Welcome, aboard. Visit our library section & enjoy the ride.

Thanks! Sorry I took so long to write back, I thought I'd receive some sort of email notification when someone posted but I didn't. I only found out today that you wrote.

Thanks again.

Tell these five(5) that there's no problem with dirty razors!!(:-(
http://touch.artofmanliness.com/artofmanliness/

I use Hydrocide ; clippercide ; or barbicide.

Clippercide? Seems like a great product it disinfects, cleans, and lubricates.. Any of u guys use it.. Guys r scaring me.. I usually just wipe my razors down with 70 pct alchol .. Should I b doing something else.l

If it's your razor, in your rotation, alcohol is fine, IMO. I use a soft toothbrush & liquid soap to scrub out the head of my Gillette after each blade is used & a fresh one put in.