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.