I run the sink full of hot water and steam my face repeatedly with a hot washcloth, using that water. After lathering and stropping, I dip my blade in the hot water before starting to shave, and rinse the lather off the blade in the sink periodically. Edge held at a 45 degree angle with the water and away from the porcelain and tap, though! I keep the washcloth folded next to the sink to wipe the blade on if the lather and whisker mix becomes too thick to rinse off the razor edge by swooshing it in the sink. The warm blade feels better when shaving, but I have no proof that the blade shaves better that way. This system works well for me.