Thread: blade antiseptic

Oddly enough I am learning about this in barber school now.

For the most part sterilization just isn't going to happen at home or in the barber shop. The only way to truly sterilize is by using an autoclave or other heated device intended for sterilization. Michigan law prohibits the use of an autoclave in barbershops (believe it or not) because barbers lack the training to use such devices.

In Michigan nothing in a barbershop has to be sterilized. Tools that have come in contact with blood or anything else (like ringworm or other skin disease) must be disinfected. The approved means for dinsinfection are as follows:

Disinfectants

• Ethyl alcohol 70% submersion of 10 minutes minimum.
• Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) 99% submersion of 10 minutes.
• Quats (barbercide) 1:1000 (1.25oz to 1 gallon of water solution) immersion time of 1 to 5 minutes.

Antiseptics are substances that may kill or prevent the growth of bacteria and are generally safe for use on the skin but are not to be used in the case of a possible blood born pathogen.

If you chose to use Quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats or Barbercide) using the barbercide jar isnt necessary you can simply wipe some solution on your razor with a clean cotton swab and let it sit for a couple of minutes then rinse it off. That process will be effective to kill any critters you don't want on there.

Oh as a side note the levels of prevention and control are as follows

• sterilization; which is the process of making an object germ free.
• Disinfection; Which is the second level of decontamination and will kill most bacteria and some viruses.
• sanitation; which is the lowest level of decontamination and will significantly reduce the number of pathogens found on a surface.

I hope this helps a little bit let me know if I can answer any other questions it helps me to memorize this stuff.

Detroyt

I agree, Society has become Germophobes, Those Hand Sanitizer's can actually do more harm than good by destroying your body's natural response to ward off germs....None of my restored or in use blades ever go in there...
I use that Barbicide for the crap I get off Ebay, or if I don't know where's it been. It good for other stuff to. It's nice to clean hair brushes and stuff like that once in a while.....Not to the point of OCD.....if you buy an old junker of Ebay, it's probably a good idea to at least clean it in something...?

Originally Posted by fccexpert

In the interest of the continued health and well being of our members, everyone should be advised that isopropyl alcohol (isopropynol) is not wood alcohol. Wood alcohol is methyl alcohol or methanol. It is toxic (as are all alcohols), but has added risk as it is easily absorbed through skin.

Thank you for the correction as well as the health warning.

Personally, if it's just me using a razor, I don't sterilize it. As pointed out, I am ALSO learning about this in barber school, and the times he posted are right.

For personal use, I might wipe it off with alcohol once in a while, but nothing special.

If you plan on using it on someone else, or cleaning a new vintage razor, about 10 minutes in rubbing alcohol will kill just about anything on there.

On a side note, zip, your barbicide jar looks like you might have the mixture a little weak

Cheers!

Originally Posted by avatar1999

Personally, if it's just me using a razor, I don't sterilize it. As pointed out, I am ALSO learning about this in barber school, and the times he posted are right.

For personal use, I might wipe it off with alcohol once in a while, but nothing special.

If you plan on using it on someone else, or cleaning a new vintage razor, about 10 minutes in rubbing alcohol will kill just about anything on there.


On a side note, zib, your barbicide jar looks like you might have the mixture a little weak

Cheers!

Thanks, It's that new Barbicide, I think's "Plus" but it's a bit old. I really don't use it. I thought it looked cool on my "Half Wall". When I bought blades off Ebay, in they'd go for about 10mins, then take em out, clean em up. Now, I use it for scissors, brushes, nail files, etc...But your right.
That solution is very old. "Just for Display"...I do need to change it...
What do they say in school about Barbicide....?

Rich

Originally Posted by zib

What do they say in school about Barbicide....?

Rich

They haven't gone into any super details about Barbicide yet, but when we actually get around to the sanitation/disinfecting stuff she may go into a little more detail.

Basically, just let your things in there for at least 10 mins. and you're good to go. As for combs, and anything plastic, don't leave them in forever, I hear the Barbicide can make them brittle after a while.

The only other thing I can tell ya right now, is that in a SHOP, you should change it out every couple days or so. For the amount you mix with water, it's cheap, and not a big expense to change it every 3-4 days or sooner. At home, I'd say just once every couple weeks should be enough.

I'll let ya know if I can find any more info

Originally Posted by zib

Thanks, It's that new Barbicide, I think's "Plus" but it's a bit old. I really don't use it. I thought it looked cool on my "Half Wall". When I bought blades off Ebay, in they'd go for about 10mins, then take em out, clean em up. Now, I use it for scissors, brushes, nail files, etc...But your right.
That solution is very old. "Just for Display"...I do need to change it...
What do they say in school about Barbicide....?

Rich

Barbicide should be changed every day according to my instructor. Basically you never need to use barbicide unless you come into contact with pathogens. During the client consultation you should notice if a client has ringworm open sores or a parasitic infection in which case you should refuse service. If however you notice an affliction after the fact then you would complete the service and then disinfect your tools and implements with barbicide.

Most barbicide claims to have a rust inhibitor, don't believe the hype barbicide will destroy your tools and that is reason enough for me to use it sparingly.

Avatar is actually pretty lucky to be on the floor already I have been in school since the beginning of January and just got up on the floor. Till a couple of days ago my class has been working on bacteriology and sanitation. I believe Michigan is one of the more lax states when it comes to the use of straight razors. Fortunately my head instructor is one of the people who wrote the state tests and attends all the meetings where they decide what comes into law and what doesn't (she is very pro straight razor).

As far as personal use I would say just use some alcohol on your blades but be careful because it isnt all that good for your scales.

Originally Posted by detroyt

Barbicide should be.
.....
As far as personal use I would say just use some alcohol on your blades but be careful because it isnt all that good for your scales.

Does Barbicide come in small single use wipes?

Alcohol will remove the oil that protects from rust so
if the blade is put up after wiping with alcohol it should
also be wiped with a thin layer of oil ten min later....

In my experience most modern shave soap has enough
extra oil that if one wiped the blade with alcohol then shaved
nothing special need be done with a two blade rotation beyond
getting it fully dry and clean when done. Others have
not had the "luck" I have -- perhaps it is my selection of soaps...

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Does Barbicide come in small single use wipes?

Alcohol will remove the oil that protects from rust so
if the blade is put up after wiping with alcohol it should
also be wiped with a thin layer of oil ten min later....

In my experience most modern shave soap has enough
extra oil that if one wiped the blade with alcohol then shaved
nothing special need be done with a two blade rotation beyond
getting it fully dry and clean when done. Others have
not had the "luck" I have -- perhaps it is my selection of soaps...

To the best of my knowledge you cant get barbicide in single use wipes I would suggest making a solution and putting it in a bottle and just using a cotton swab. Because barbicide is so corrosive I would say its in your best interest to oil your razor after treating your blade.

You should only need to leave the barbicide on your razor for 5 min after treating your razor I would suggest rinsing it with water to make sure there isnt any barbicide left in the crevasses between the razor and the scales and then applying a light coat of oil.

Originally Posted by detroyt

Barbicide should be changed every day according to my instructor. Basically you never need to use barbicide unless you come into contact with pathogens. During the client consultation you should notice if a client has ringworm open sores or a parasitic infection in which case you should refuse service. If however you notice an affliction after the fact then you would complete the service and then disinfect your tools and implements with barbicide.

Most barbicide claims to have a rust inhibitor, don't believe the hype barbicide will destroy your tools and that is reason enough for me to use it sparingly.

Avatar is actually pretty lucky to be on the floor already I have been in school since the beginning of January and just got up on the floor. Till a couple of days ago my class has been working on bacteriology and sanitation. I believe Michigan is one of the more lax states when it comes to the use of straight razors. Fortunately my head instructor is one of the people who wrote the state tests and attends all the meetings where they decide what comes into law and what doesn't (she is very pro straight razor).

As far as personal use I would say just use some alcohol on your blades but be careful because it isnt all that good for your scales.

My school believes totally in hands on experience. No messing with mannequin heads...I was cutting people's hair on my 3rd day

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Does Barbicide come in small single use wipes?

Alcohol will remove the oil that protects from rust so
if the blade is put up after wiping with alcohol it should
also be wiped with a thin layer of oil ten min later....

In my experience most modern shave soap has enough
extra oil that if one wiped the blade with alcohol then shaved
nothing special need be done with a two blade rotation beyond
getting it fully dry and clean when done. Others have
not had the "luck" I have -- perhaps it is my selection of soaps...

I have seen barbicide in a different form. it was a little pocket size tube, much like breath spray, and was barbicide solution, to be used to disinfect your hands I thought that one was a bit silly, but they DO make them in wipes.

King Research - Barbicide Wipes Disinfectant Towelettes

Check your local Sally's Beauty Supply store...that's where I saw them.