Thread: Cleaning a safety razor

I've also been told to never use vinegar on a safety razor. What do you guys think?

Maybe I should use the 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water solution once a month only.

I agree vinegar is an acid a m d as such is really to strong to be used just to remove some soap scum. There are plenty of alternatives like the dish soap and toothbrush. And Scrubbing bubbles non bleach alternatives since your location doesn't have SB.. I think it was CIY ?

Originally Posted by jaro1069

I agree vinegar is an acid a m d as such is really to strong to be used just to remove some soap scum. There are plenty of alternatives like the dish soap and toothbrush. And Scrubbing bubbles non bleach alternatives since your location doesn't have SB.. I think it was CIY ?

CIF is the product's name.

Did anyone try acetone? I know it's pretty strong, and it stinks, but evaporates completely and will cut through anything with grease or oil in it (like soap, I assume)

If your talking about anything plated keep it away from any strong chemicals like acetone.

OK I decided to take one for the team and tried acetone on my Merkur DE razor. I applied it with an old artist's brush (one of those for oil painting). It worked. It softens the soapy material and smudges it around, but after applying the acetone you can easily wipe it off to a nice shiny polish. In some areas I had to brush it on a bit harder, the rough areas of the metal are a bit tricky. Keep in mind that I have not tried it on gold plated razors yet, but it does not seem to any damage the metal at all (and, to be honest, I suspect that acids like vinegar, are more damaging to metals than this. Acetone mainly dissolves oily/fatty residues). I recommend doing this outdoors because of the fumes.

I keep mine well rinsed so I don't get soap build up if I need to disinfect a new one or if I pick up a used one I wash it in water and soak in denatured alcohol then wipe with a soft cloth soaked in denatured alcohol.

The alcohol cleans and disinfects well without damaging the finish.

I've cleaned up a few nasty ones, before.

I hose them down with Ala"s Totally Awesome, and give um a scrubbin. Dry them off, and go at it with a soft bristled tooth brush, and a bit of 3M metal restorer for the nastiest stuff.

Years ago I experimented and dumped a Merkur Vision in a glass of Hydrogen Peroxide. About an hour later when I took it out it cleaned the thing better than anything I ever used before. Unfortunately it totally removed the finish and turned the razor into rusty object never useable again.

I'm careful with cleaning these days.