Alum block preservation

Hi Everyone,

After reading through some of the posts here and at B&B I bought my first Alum block. It's going great and I love it but I'm not sure how to store it. So, my question is after use should you dry it and put it in a container? Or dry it and leave it sitting? Or just leave it wet on the sink?

If it's relevant, the one I bought was made in Portugal by 444. And the reason I ask is because after the first time I used it I left it sitting with water on it and by the next day some holes had appeared in it. I wasn't sure whether this is normal or not.

Many thanks for all the comments and information on this site; it's a pleasure to read.

Robert

Mine's in an old clinique soap dish. It keeps it covered , but there are ribs that hold it out of any water & air gets in there. It's always dry when i take it out.

It didn't save it when i dropped the block in the bath tub though! Those things really do smash! :D

Not that I'm an expert or anything on Alum Block storage. :) I just give mine a quick rinse under the tap when I'm done, and set it on it's narrow end by the sink to dry. Sometime later as I'm walking by, I'll flip it on end to let the other end dry. At some point I might get a soap dish, that will allow drainage, to set it on.

Now there's something I've never thought about!

As those cost about US$ 1.5 in Brazil, I've never cared a lot for them.

My first block was from Classic and it came in a plastic box. Now I get my blocks from Tolumba but still use that plastic case. Really as long as the block isn't left in water it doesn't matter. I usually get 10 blocks dirt cheap and they last a year a piece.

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Originally Posted by cegadede

Now there's something I've never thought about!

As those cost about US$ 1.5 in Brazil, I've never cared a lot for them.

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That's a good point. In Tokyo the cheapest I've seen them for was about US $30. I bought mine online and it was much cheaper but with postage the price still adds up.

So the consensus is to keep them in a soap dish and let them dry naturally?

Mine has a hole in it with a piece of cord through it so I can hang it on one of those adhesive hooks.

I have one of the brand Osma.
http://www.timothyedwards.co.uk/uplo..._large/190.jpg
I make it completely wet under the cold tap and run it over my face "ice cube"-style. After that I immediately insert it into its box again. It's always dry when I take it out next time. They last over a year of shaves. Cost about €6 in my local pharmacy.

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Originally Posted by Frankenstein

That's a good point. In Tokyo the cheapest I've seen them for was about US $30. I bought mine online and it was much cheaper but with postage the price still adds up.

So the consensus is to keep them in a soap dish and let them dry naturally?

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That is the AOS one?

Unfortunately that is the only one I have see too. But often times certain 'stone' deodorants are alum and can be used in shaving also. I don't use one though.

If you leave it in a wet enough area it will disolve completely. Dry it and put it back in the box.

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Originally Posted by ZethLent

That is the AOS one?

Unfortunately that is the only one I have see too. But often times certain 'stone' deodorants are alum and can be used in shaving also. I don't use one though.

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There is ONE company that makes one, but it's tiny (25 gr?) and costs 900 yen...so it's pretty much the same.

Alum is VERY water soluble. Dry it and store it someplace away from water...I didn't and mine got all spiny and scratchy.

BTW, I use one as deo and I just crushed it, put it in a spray bottle and filled it with water. Now I have super-saturated alum water on demand...goes a little faster, but super convenient.

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Originally Posted by JimR

BTW, I use one as deo and I just crushed it, put it in a spray bottle and filled it with water. Now I have super-saturated alum water on demand...goes a little faster, but super convenient.

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Thanks for the replies, guys. I shouldn't leave it wet - got it.

Jim, why not just use a normal deodorant? Is there a reason for using alum?

Cheers,

Robert

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Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Thanks for the replies, guys. I shouldn't leave it wet - got it.

Jim, why not just use a normal deodorant? Is there a reason for using alum?

Cheers,

Robert

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It's a natural antiperspirant, it doesn't stain clothes, it's cheap, it lasts forever, etc. etc. etc.

i just give mine a good flick when im done and put it back in teh plastic case it came in, never had a problem

-dan-