Thread: DE Handle Cleaning

Hi everyone,

I have searched for this topic, both here and the wise google, but only came away with overall cleaning tips. AKA scrubbing bubbles soak, dish soap, q-tips, metal polish, etc.

But, I haven't seen any techniques for cleaning the handles which have the patterns on them. I have three gillettes, which the heads of them look great and shiny, but the handles all look sorta old. The handle of my adjustable one even seems to be coated in wax or something (years of soap scum?). I've tried soaking in the scrubbing bubbles and then hitting it with a toothbrush, but to no avail. What I can do is take my fingernail and scrape up and down one of the lines of the design and get off some of the grayish/greenish/ waxy stuff. Yet, my fingernail rubbing over that design pattern feels like someone scratching a chalkboard to me. Plus I can't get into the smaller crevices in the design with my nail.

It is driving me nuts that the rest of the DE looks flawless, yet the handles look like I haven't bothered cleaning them.

So my questions are:
1.) Anyone have a technique for cleaning the designs on gillette DEs?
2.) Could I use a brass wire brush, or would that damage it?

Thanks everyone!

I use a toothbrush with srubbing bubbles or metal polish. Works well for me.

I like to use Eagle wadding polish. Comes in a tin wadded up with the polish in it. I've been able to knock 50 years of gunk away and bring DE's back to life. You can find it at auto parts stores.

I'd be afraid of the wire brush taking finish off.

Originally Posted by Maulgryve

. . .
So my questions are:
1.) Anyone have a technique for cleaning the designs on gillette DEs?
2.) Could I use a brass wire brush, or would that damage it?

Thanks everyone!

1. Try a toothbrush and degreaser -- should be available at any auto parts store. Or toothbrush and acetone, or toothbrush and "Goo Gone" (if the Goo Gone doesn't dissolve the toothbrush!). Or toothbrush and lacquer thinner.

Those chemicals should all be safe for plated metal. There are commercial cleaners (usually marked "corrosive!") that might work better on old soap scum, but they might damage the plating.

2. NO !!!!! Yes, it will damage the handle. The base metal (under the plating) is probably brass, so you want to use something softer to do the cleaning.

Charles

I've had success with just using water and a toothbrush on cleaning the handles. For getting rid of thick gunk, I would use a baking soda & water mixture, along with a toothbrush. Instead of the baking soda and water, I would sometimes use regular tooth paste--not gel.

If you still can't get the gunk off, avoid using a brass or metal brush; you may damage the handle. Try using a Dremel with a nylon brush instead.

Thanks everyone. I will try the above mentioned things since the scrubbing bubbles and toothbrush did nothing to this tough scum. I'll steer clear of the brass brush as well.

I just use a toothbrush and some soap and water. A wire brush will mar the finish if it's stainless and take the plate off if it's a plated razor.

How about using Simochrome polish or the like? Works well for polishing knives and many other household items without scratching.

I've had good success with soaking them in simple green/water mix all day. Periodically taking them out and scrubbing with a nail brush and.then rinsing with water before putting back in the simple green. After 8 hours or so they came out looking brand new.