Thread: Why sterilize? Public service message.

I've never worried about it, but I've also never shaved with an uncleaned razor within 4 days of someone else shaving with it. I don't use strops that have been used in a decade by someone else, nor do I use used brushes.

Take reasonable steps if it makes you feel better, that's my thought.

I do usually, as a courtesy either bleach or barbicide razors that I decide to no longer keep.

Well boiling razors might kill anything, but usually also kills the scales... Pretty bad on a great vintage razor.

Clean the razor yes. Boil it, NO.

You guys know how cheap barbicide is, right? I guess the two pint bottle of barbicide might not be super dirt cheap, but there is a generic version of it that's cheaper. It's in every Sally beauty supply and probably ever barber supply shop, it doesn't stink, and it doesn't corrode blades.

This is what they say on their web page:

Proven effective against HIV-1, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Staphylococcus (including MRSA), Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff), Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE), Herpes, Influenza (including H1N1), “Athletes Foot” (TineaPedis)

you can leave it in a container for a day and use it on every single thing you do that day (and it's a 16 to 1 water to barbicide mix, so it goes a long way). It's like 7 bucks or something for enough concentrate to make 2 gallons of stuff (I can't remember if that's the generic or branded price).

Originally Posted by DaveW

You guys know how cheap barbicide is, right? I guess the two pint bottle of barbicide might not be super dirt cheap, but there is a generic version of it that's cheaper. It's in every Sally beauty supply and probably ever barber supply shop, it doesn't stink, and it doesn't corrode blades.

This is what they say on their web page:

Proven effective against HIV-1, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Staphylococcus (including MRSA), Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff), Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE), Herpes, Influenza (including H1N1), “Athletes Foot” (TineaPedis)

you can leave it in a container for a day and use it on every single thing you do that day (and it's a 16 to 1 water to barbicide mix, so it goes a long way). It's like 7 bucks or something for enough concentrate to make 2 gallons of stuff (I can't remember if that's the generic or branded price).

From the Arizona State Barber regs.

R4-5-104. Safety and Sanitation Provisions

A. A licensee under A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 3, and this Chapter shall conduct the following safety and sanitation procedures:

1. Use barbering implements that are:

a. New if intended for use on a single patron and disposed of after use; or

b. In good repair and free of defect if intended for multiple use;

2. Sanitize any barbering implement intended for multiple use according to the following procedure:

a. For any immersible barbering implement other than a scissors or razor, a licensee shall:

i. Remove all hair or debris,

ii. Wash with soap and water,

iii. Completely immerse in a disinfectant solution that is approved and used as prescribed under R4-5-105,

iv. Rinse with water,

v. Dry completely, and

vi. Store in a dry sanitizer;

b. For a scissors or a razor, a licensee may follow the procedure under subsection (A)(2)(a) or wipe the implement with a cloth bearing a disinfectant solution approved and used as prescribed under R4-5-105. The licensee shall store an implement sanitized under this subsection in a dry sanitizer;

c. For a non-immersible barbering implement, a licensee shall wipe or spray any parts that contact a patron with a disinfectant solution approved and used as prescribed under R4-5-105. The licensee shall store an implement sanitized under this subsection in a dry sanitizer;

3. Dispense any barbering preparation listed under subsection (A)(3)(a) according to the procedure prescribed under subsection (A)(3)(b).

a. A barbering preparation under this subsection includes any:

i. Oil,

ii. Gel,

iii. Shampoo,

iv. Cream,

v. Antiseptic,

vi. Clay,

vii. Ointment, or

viii. Other preparation intended for use on a patron,

b. Preparation dispensing procedure. A licensee shall avoid direct manual contact with a barbering preparation by:

i. Using a manufacturer's dispensing device included with the original container; or

ii. Using a new disposable or sanitized reusable spoon, spatula, or other similar dispensing implement when no manufacturer dispensing device is included with the original container;

4. Maintain a sufficient quantity of uncontaminated sanitizing solution approved for use as prescribed under R4-5-105 at all times during the performance of barbering;

5. Maintain towels or cloths for patron use that are:

a. New and disposed immediately after use if intended for single use,

b. Sanitized by laundering if intended for multiple use,

c. Stored in a closed container when sanitized before use, and

d. Stored in a closed container separate from sanitized towels or cloths after use;

6. Maintain a separate covered receptacle for garbage and hair;

7. Maintain all barbering product containers with clear, correct labels indicating contents and intended use;

8. Wash hands with soap and water before serving each patron;

9. Not use a styptic pencil or lump alum in barbering;

10. Not reuse a neck strip, end paper, or depilatory wax on multiple patrons;

11. Use a neck strip to prevent a patron's neck from contacting a non-sanitized object; and

12. Store each neck duster not in use in a dry sanitizer.

B. In addition to licensee requirements under subsection (A), a licensed shop or school owner shall:

1. Ensure that flooring within six feet of each workstation is comprised of smooth, durable, and impervious material; and

2. Maintain all furniture and fixtures of each facility in a clean and orderly manner at all times.
Historical Note

New Section made by final rulemaking at 11 A.A.R. 1422, effective April 5, 2005 (Supp. 05-2).

R4-5-105. Disinfectants: Approval; Usage Guidelines

A. Approval. For barbering purposes, the Board approves any disinfectant, sanitation, or sterilization product or method registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use as:

1. A virucide,

2. A bactericide, or

3. A fungicide.

B. Usage guidelines. Unless a product manufacturer's instructions specify otherwise, a licensee shall disinfect barbering implements according to the following guidelines:

1. Liquid sanitizing. A licensee shall use one or more of the following:

Solution type


Strength


Minimum immersion time

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds "Quats" - liquid or dissolved tablet


1:1000


20 minutes

Formalin


25%


10 minutes

Formalin


10%


20 minutes

Alcohol*: Ethyl, Grain, or Isopropanol


70%


10 minutes

Sodium Hypochlorite


10%


10 minutes

* Note: for sharp cutting implement or electrode sanitization



2. Dry sanitizing. A licensee shall use either of the following:

a. A fumigant prepared as a mixture of:

i. One tablespoon of borax; and

ii. One tablespoon, one premanufactured tablet, or one container of formalin; or

b. An ultraviolet-ray electric sanitizer manufactured specifically for sanitation purposes.

OMG, we are all going to Die

I seem to remember a thread a very long while back about Barbicide and straight razors. If I recall correctly ,the blades did corrode in the stuff and it also messed up the scales badly.

I can say that I have used Barbicide on all my razors in my collection, when they first came into my possession. I place the blade face down into the solution , taking up about an inch into the scales to cover the pivot pin. I leave the razor in for 10 minutes & rinse off with water, then lubricate. I have yet to damage either the blades or stain the scales. I put an ivory one in with no stain to the scales, maybe I was lucky,,,

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

OMG, we are all going to Die

I guarantee it !

A barber that I sharpen for soaks his blades in barbicide. The steel is not rusty but not pretty either...like a heavy patina.

Selected portions in my post above:

b. For a scissors or a razor, a licensee may follow the procedure under subsection (A)(2)(a) or wipe the implement with a cloth bearing a disinfectant solution approved and used as prescribed under R4-5-105. The licensee shall store an implement sanitized under this subsection in a dry sanitizer;

From the table of sanitizers:

Alcohol*: Ethyl, Grain, or Isopropanol 70%

* Note: for sharp cutting implement or electrode sanitization

Originally Posted by Nightblade

I seem to remember a thread a very long while back about Barbicide and straight razors. If I recall correctly ,the blades did corrode in the stuff and it also messed up the scales badly.

When I used to use a shavette (Weck) to prep customers I'd stick it in Barbacide, the blue stuff, between customers. Refresh it every week or so whether it needed it or not. If you leave a shavette in the barbacide long enough the rail the blade slide into will corrode. PITA. Before bagged tubes and needles tattooers would put their freshly sterilized needles and tubes in a solution of Benzalkonium chloride with a little rust preventive added. Pull them out with tweezers to set up the machines. Anyway ........