How to Sterilize a Straight Razor?

Hello everyone, perhaps this question has been asked, but being new to this forum i couldn't find older posts regarding this subject. Also there is a very good detailed explanation about how to sterilize the razor, its really good and clear but because i am in the UK. can someone please tell me what and which chemicals to be used, the cleaning and sterilizing stuff mentioned, can't understand what they are. Here we got an antiseptic liquid called 'DETTOL' will it be ok? how long shall i leave the razor in that liquid? if that liquid is not good enough what else i can use? as i bought a second hand razor frm e-bay, i want it nice and sterilized at least.
thanks alot.

Because this has been discussed so many times, I'm going to cop out and suggest you try a simple search within this forum for "sterilize razor" and you will find many (many) threads that discuss the topic. I know that this is not the most helpful answer, but it will certainly get you started quickly.

I have previously soaked the blade in alcohol for a few minutes. This seems to do the trick.

That helps to dry the blade, but it does not sterilize it.

The first question is why do you need to sterilize it? Are you a medical or some other professional who uses one daily for clients? Barbicide will do it, bleach also but that can be bad for the metal itself. If it's an old blade usually some antibacterial soap is all you need. Most microbes don't survive too long on metal.

Hi!

I got this information from Larry Andreassen (larryandro on here). Here is what Larry told me to do for mine:

I sterilize razors with sodium hypochlorite (Clorox, Bleach, Purex) and 70% isopropyl alcohol. I mix water and sodium hypochlorite in a 5:1 mixture; 5 parts water and 1 part sodium hypochlorite. I wet down a blade with the solution for about 15 seconds. (It will stain if left on long.) Then, I rinse with water, and spray with alcohol, wipe off, spray again with alcohol. I allow the alcohol to remain in contact with the razor for about 30 seconds.

I hope that helps you as much as it did me!!

Thanks!

All I use are the Clorox bleach free antibacterial wipes. Costs around $3 and you can use the rest in the kitchen.

If it makes you feel better, that's fine, but a 15 second dilute bleach exposure is insufficient to kill viruses. Also, the disinfection function of alcohol is specifically in its evaporation phase, not while it is wet.

Thanks a lot for the answers i really appreciate, when i ment sterilize i didnt mean like sterilize as if i am in hospital perhaps disinfect is a better phrase and i am not that familiar with those chemicals but i think the razor i bought of e-bay is now safe enough to use. and thanks again.

Most I've ever done is soap and water, seems to do the job :D Once I've given an Ebay razor a sand, polish and honing I reckon a quick wash will leave it fit for use.

BTW Welcome to the forum, neighbour.

Thanks neighbour, can u tell how do u polish and what do u use to polish the razor? and by sanding do u mean sand paper??
sorry i am new to this

Well I use wet and dry paper and do it by hand then I use Autosol metal polish, I probably will get some abrasive "stuff" for use with a Dremel type of rotary tool but I'm still looking into what to get.

Where abouts in Somerset are you I live a bit south of Bath but work in Wincanton.

ok I remember reading somewhere not to use autosol and other abresive stuff but if you used and its fine then i shall give a try with the £6 nameless razor. I am in Taunton.

I don't worry about sterilizing my razors. I figure that if I get a disease from them, it's a disease I already have.

I don't really think you want to sterilize, only disinfect. sterilization takes harsh chemicals or heat. Alcohol is a very good hard surface disinfectant.

I use grain alcohol after each use. It's not for disinfecting purposes, but to help evaporate any water that may be lurking on the blade.

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Originally Posted by jcsixx

I use grain alcohol after each use. It's not for disinfecting purposes, but to help evaporate any water that may be lurking on the blade.

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I've tried grain alcohol after shaving before as well. Only problem was I couldn't remember where I put the razor.;):rofl2:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Theseus

I've tried grain alcohol after shaving before as well. Only problem was I couldn't remember where I put the razor.;):rofl2:

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Lol. Yeah, It may not have been the best use for the remaining grain. It isn't legal in PA.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jcsixx

Lol. Yeah, It may not have been the best use for the remaining grain. It isn't legal in PA.

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It's not legal in Ohio either, but I have a source.:w

Well, one first needs a stainless steel razor, then one needs to haft it with stainless steel scales, then one needs an autoclave. Then you wash it in hot soapy water, making sure you get all the visible crud off, and then you sterilize it in the autoclave. And now the razor is clean until it touches your strop or your face.

good shaving...

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I would just scrub it good with an old toothbrush and some antibacterial soap and water. If soap and water is good enough for a surgeon it's good enough for me.

I figger thet if'na razor's done been honed up proper like, all thems nasty bacteria and virumusses has been ground offn it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sezer

Hello everyone, perhaps this question has been asked, but being new to this forum i couldn't find older posts regarding this subject. Also there is a very good detailed explanation about how to sterilize the razor, its really good and clear but because i am in the UK. can someone please tell me what and which chemicals to be used, the cleaning and sterilizing stuff mentioned, can't understand what they are. Here we got an antiseptic liquid called 'DETTOL' will it be ok? how long shall i leave the razor in that liquid? if that liquid is not good enough what else i can use? as i bought a second hand razor frm e-bay, i want it nice and sterilized at least.
thanks alot.

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Sterilize, and Sterilization are formal terms in the US.
They mandate some serious, serious processes that
are hard as heck for an individual to address. Most
conforming processes will rust steel and melt or dissolve
scales.

Sanitation is less strict and can be addressed
in a lot of ways many of which I saw posted to this
already long thread.

DETTOL is an antiseptic, disinfectant and
a good one as best I can tell. However it
is not a sterilization agent.

I agree washing with soap and water is all you really need. When barbers are particularly careful about sterilizing, or even when some jurisdictions require it, it is because clients worry about other clients.

Alcohol should be fine, since they use it to sterilize your skin before injections or minor surgery. It will also remove forms of greasy dirt which might promote rust. If it goes on and doesn't stay forever, it has evaporated. In the UK the most readily available kind is sold as methylated spirit, with a purple dye to discourage the great majority of potential drinkers of the stuff. In Saudi Arabia I have denatured alcohol from Ace Hardware in Kuwait. I've never had a determined customs search at the land border, and I am sure I would be OK with something in a can with "poison" written on it.

But you should be very careful with any kind of alcohol and celluloid scales. I once witnessed an attempt to get chewing gum off piano accordian keys with methylated spirit, and it wasn't a pretty sight.

sezer,

+1 on CrazyDiamonds suggestion of using an 'anti-bacterial' soap.

In general a good cleaning of the blade with something like CIF bathroom cleaner (this contains quartenary ammonium surfactants) or ant-bacterial soap would be enough to satisfy your needs, possibly with a quick dip boiling water afterwards (blade only !!).
IIRC :
In the UK the most common formulation of 'over the counter' meths, in addition to ethanol ('alcohol'), contains 'wood naptha' (methanol), pyridine and a blue dye (usually methyl violet). Surgical spirit BP has methyl salicyalte, methanol and diethyl phthalate and sometimes castor oil. added to the ethanol.

You can get MAAS polish from Lakeland Plastics if you have a branch near you. Halfords has AutoSol.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

You can use regular soap to accomplish the same thing. The only thing anti-bacterial soap accomplishes is the acceleration of bacterial evolution in their never ending quest to take up shaving.

Seriously, please don't use anti-bacterial soap.

I dont know if its right or wrong, but I poured Iodine onto a razor I just bought from the antique store and called it good.

My old barber (from when I was a little tacker) always had a few cut-throats soaking (blades only) in diluted Dettol to use for neck shaves and never (to my knowledge) had any issues.
I've used it as well, however, now I pull down every razor I get and they get the full treatment so I don't really see the need.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ubet

I dont know if its right or wrong, but I poured Iodine onto a razor I just bought from the antique store and called it good.

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I just hugged and old Genco Wedge and called it "sweetie"...

In all honesty, theres probably no need to sterilize unless you're a barber or if you cut yourself a lot and get a lot of blood on it. Just rinsing it with water will do, IMO. All those sterilizing products are just to get you to buy more stuff...