Thread: Alcohol Dip

Originally Posted by zwaldo

what about Lysol? ain't that 99.9%? works for ya toilet.

I was thinking along the same lines but I use something called "Zepynamic A" by ZEP. It's a hospital disinfectant. Quote from the label: " Hospital use and broad spectrum disinfectant and antimicrobial agent. Virucidal, tuberculocidal, fungicidal, bactericidal, pseudomonicidal, staphylocidal, sanitizes fabric and leather, controls mildew and fungi.

After washing the razor with hot water and soap then soak with hydrogen peroxide (as by other users), wash again with hot water and soap, spray lightly with ZEP, then wash once more. That should do it I think.

Certainly it is a disinfectant, but you have no idea what impact it will have on your razors. I highly recommend that you experiment with a sacrificial razor first. Many chemical disinfectants can be quite corrosive to carbon steel.

Good point Utop. I have an old beat up blade just for something like this. I only go through this routine once, a blade from an unknown user/origin for example.

Alcohol rusts blades? I'm a noob. I used to get 3 shaves out of a Mach 3 cartridge. I reckoned the tap water I rinsed the blades with was evaporating and leaving a bunch of minerals and such on the blade, maybe even rust also.

I started storing the Mach 3 cartridge in a closed container full of rubbing alcohol when I got done shaving, and I would be able to use the cartridge for weeks.

I don't plan on doing that with my straight razor though, I read that a good strop session will hone the blade.

All I did was soak my EBay razors in a dilution of Dettol and there seemed to be no ill effects.
I remember as a kid our barber had three or four str8's sitting in this solution ready to be used in the shop.
FWIW

Originally Posted by souriya

Alcohol rusts blades? I'm a noob. I used to get 3 shaves out of a Mach 3 cartridge. I reckoned the tap water I rinsed the blades with was evaporating and leaving a bunch of minerals and such on the blade, maybe even rust also.

I started storing the Mach 3 cartridge in a closed container full of rubbing alcohol when I got done shaving, and I would be able to use the cartridge for weeks.

I don't plan on doing that with my straight razor though, I read that a good strop session will hone the blade.

No, alcohol does not rust blades. I'm not sure what you meant by that question after you wrote what followed. However, I wouldn't not advise leaving blades in alcohol. That can cause it to rust. It is much better to dip the blade in and then let it evaporate--taking any residual water along with it.

Originally Posted by Mvcrash

Use this Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2 Secrets THEY Don't Want You to Know then soap and water and let dry.

Me, I used the new blade out of the box and then washed it with soap and water. I hope I don't die now.

Do not do this, guys... oxidation is the last thing I want to promote on my blades, and H2O2 will destroy any steel... I use to dip the blade on formaldehyde (10% formalin) for about 10 minutes and wipe off any remaining fluid with a cotton swab. Formaldehyde destroys both protein and DNA/RNA so nothing alive remains, and evaporates completely without leaving residues.
I do not perform this often, just when I suspect they're contaminated with something "alien-to-shave den". I live on a tropical country and there is a lot of critters here... almost impossible to control 24/7. Bugs, roaches, slugs and fungi abound here, and sometimes I forget a razor on countertop after shaving, without returning them to the dry jar. I oil them only at rainy season with pure mineral oil. Never got a problem this way.

Barbicide??

Originally Posted by Phoenix51

Barbicide??

Barbicide is the best...kills everything and has an anti-rust component...whenever I get a new blade, it's gets a twenty minute bath in the stuff....it's Barbicide...that's what it's made for LOL!

Well, with my small germ compulsion, even though I don't have to do the following, it takes care of my paranoia.

I have two jars from olives. One had Barbicide solution in it. After quick hot water rinse and soap wash a short soak (blade only) while I rinse brush, face and apply balm. The other has a mixture of 91% alcohol/mineral oil. A dip in and out, fingertip smoothing of mixture up to the tang/pivot area, light wipe down if needed and store.

I have a low humidity bathroom because of a half Siamese cat that objects to closed doors (she likes my company) and living alone with her makes it possible to have all but touch up stuff in there where I can admire my over spending at any time.