Thread: yet another sterilization/disinfection question

Just read the Wiki on sterilization... what a great resource! I researched a little further and I have a question... According to the chart in the Wiki, a High level disinfectant will take care of basically everything, including bacterial spores. So, I wondered if there is a high level disinfectanant that is available and useable in our situations. Looking at the FDA's website I found this listing of High Level disinfectants (some of which are also sterilants) FDA-Cleared Sterilants and High Level Disinfectants with General Claims for Processing Reusable Medical and Dental Devices - March 2009

I see that a few of the products listed just list hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient... Steris RESERT XL is 2% Hydrogen peroxide and it qualifies as a High level disinfectant when used for 8 minutes at 20 degrees celcius (room temp). So... soaking in hydrogen peroxide looks like a very simple, easy, low cost, effective high level disinfectant to me. It would be easy enough to only soak the blade but it would probably be better so soak the whole razor. What will soaking the more common types of scales (hard rubber, plastice, celluloid) in Hydrogen Peroxide due to them?

Hydrogen peroxide at that level of concentrate can bleach things like clothing. I'm guessing it would have a possibility to discolor the scales if left in the solution too long. Thats just a guess from my part, if someone knows more, please chime in. I know at high concentration, hydrogen peroxide is corrosive to metal, but thats around %50 concentration, so you dont have to worry about that.

The truth is there is no way available to kill every single bug out there. The temperature plays some role but most important role plays pressure. Now even by using high pressure and temperature you will not able to kill all the bugs.
Example if you think you boil blade in the water and you kill most of the bugs? trust me wrong.
it has been long time ago i can't recall but i do remember there were no way to kill some bugs from surgical instruments in my student life. we knew if Patient unlucky and have that bug Pt will get sick.
I use cool care + for 20 minutes and pray for 2 minutes that is all. so far aids free.
GL

I quarantine (sterilize) all blades coming in and going out for 30 minutes with lighter fluid (naphtha). It will not harm steel, celluloid, bakelite or most plastics for the time it is immersed, but will quickly attack oil based finishes on wooden scales, and rubber. Note: it will deform some plastics if left in contact for more than 24 hours.

I put a few ounces in an old glass jar large enough to fit the razor when the metal lid is closed, put a rubber band around the razor (so it wont open), lay the jar on its side so the fluid covers the razor and let it soak (the cap is water tight).

When done, take out the razor and place on a paper towel, the fluid will quickly vaporize leaving absolutely no residue.
I only do this once for any razor coming in and again for any razor going out.

Someone tell me if I am wrong, but I know of nothing that kills living organisms as efficiently as petroleum distillates. It is not used as a regular disinfectant because it is flammable.

I wear rubber gloves in a well ventilated area and keep the jar tightly closed and properly labeled.

I use acetone. It also physically cleans and degreases the blade. If there are pathogens hiding in or under grime, then simple water based disinfectants can't get to them. AFAIK acetone will kill almost everything. Also, acetone evaporates very fast, leaves no residue and will not harm the metal. Just don;t get it on or near your scales for too long, even the fumes will disolve plastics and wood finishes without discretion.

Incidentally, there are ways to sterilize things completely, but they involve radioactive chambers and federal supervision.

Originally Posted by floppyshoes

Incidentally, there are ways to sterilize things completely, but they involve radioactive chambers and federal supervision.

only if you get caught

Thanks for the responses... I think the idea of using pressure is the same principle as a pressure cooker... boiling water in a closed pressurized vessel allows you to reach a higher temperature than just boiling water in an open pot.

I also notice on that FDA sterilization/disinfectant page it also rates 7.5% hydrogen peroxide (sold as Sporox) as an approved sterilant (which I presume means that it sterilizes, rather than just being approved as a high level disinfectant) if used for 6 hrs at room temp (20 deg celcius). I still wonder what it would do to the scales. I think I am going to try an experiment.. i have some old broken hard rubber scales that I am going to try immersing in Hydrogen peroxide for several days and see what happens.

what about barbercide I was planing on getting a whole jare and soaking my combs and such but thought it would clean my razor too