Thread: Removal of residual soap

I have noticed that after a while, even with thorough post-shave rinsing, there is residual soap buildup in the various nooks and crannies of my razors. I have tried alcohol and a toothbrush but there must be an easier way to thoroughly clean a razor.

So, how do you clean your razor(s)?

I don't understand your question.
I only get lather on my blade which gets wiped off during the shave on toilet paper. I never rinse the blade. Only time my blades see water is when honing.
Maybe you're talking about safety razors but a rinse is all I do with those.

IF you are talking about a DE or other safety razor, I find it comes off easier after the shave.
If you allow it to dry, it becomes hard to remove.

An old toothbrush and a bit of running under hot water works for me. Shake well and allow to dry open.


If crusty, soak in hot water and dish soap for a bit, scrub and repeat as-necessary. Disassemble if you can.

If all else fails you can use a mild alkaline cleaner. You do not want to use anything acidic like vinegar, CLR or Bar Keepers Friend. Also avoid anything that contains a chlorine bleach.

One safe cleaner is baking soda with enough water added to make a paste. Add a few drops of dish detergent such as Dawn to the paste. Use this paste with a soft toothbrush to clean your razor.

Soap should not be difficult to remove. However, if your water is hard, the calcium and magnesium ions in the water will combine with the fatty acids in the soap to form insoluble calcium and magnesium soaps, aka bathtub ring. If you have a hard water problem, you can mitigate the problem by using bottled water to lather your soap.