A safety razor is a serious shaving tool. You cherish that. The strong tool also needs TLC. You get a lot of love in return. In the form of an exceptionally comfortable shave. For years to come.
However, a safety razor also needs regular maintenance in order to enjoy it for a long time. Because if you take good care of your tool, it can last a lifetime.
Why is maintenance necessary?
Even if you handle a decent safety razor, even a Rolls Royce Black Badge Wraith needs maintenance. The same goes for your double edge blade razor.
Without maintenance, oils and shaving soap accumulate between the shaving head and the double edge blade. These residues can also start to settle in the screw thread, which can cause it to corrode. And this, of course, comes at the expense of its longer-term performance. Especially if your screw thread breaks....
On a safety razor with a butterfly closure, excess debris can prevent it from closing or opening properly. This can give the double edge blade too much space and you can get razor burns. Even though your safety razor is stainless steel, if you don't maintain it properly, the coating and metal can become tarnished. The proper cleaning routine is going to stop or at least slow down this process.
When is maintenance necessary?
Actually, you should give the shaving instrument a full rinse and polish with a soft cloth every week. For example, when you replace the double edge blade, this is immediately a great opportunity.
It also depends on how often you shave yourself, what type of "hard" water flows from the tap and the percentage of minerals present in the tap water. This all affects the condition of your safety razor.
Daily cleaning after shaving
This refers to regular and routine cleaning after shaving. With this, you optically clean your razor to keep it looking sleek. Rinsing your razor with lukewarm water each time after use will remove most of the shaving soap, oil and hairs from your razor.
Dry your safety razor and blade and hang it in the razor holder.
Periodic cleaning
A weekly/monthly/annual cleaning is again more thorough. You take the safety razor apart and make sure you clean the parts more thoroughly. We'll come back to this routine in a moment.
Cleaning after shaving
After your shave, rinse the safety razor under the tap. Lukewarm water is sufficient. Then gently pat it dry with a towel or tea towel. Then hang the razor upside down in the holder.
Rinsing after use
Of course, after shaving, rinse the safety razor completely so that the soap residue and hairs between the shaving head and razor are gone. This will minimize caking and make it ready for use again the next morning.
Drying after use
It is important that you also dry the razor thoroughly after rinsing it. That way, lime, minerals or other residue have less chance to bite into the metal. By the way, also pat down the blade so that it remains free of dirt. This will keep your shaving device at full war strength.
Periodic maintenance
You can also include your safety razor in a monthly, semi-annual or annual schedule. Just as you do with your motorcycle or car when it has racked up another fix of miles. To rely on it, periodic maintenance is therefore a requirement.
What do you need?
The periodic maintenance of a safety razor requires a little more time. In terms of materials, you don't need heavy chemistry to perfectly maintain your safety razor but only:
- Detergent
- Soft toothbrush
- Soft cloth
- Water
The frequency of maintenance also depends on what type of water flows from your tap. If you soon see a white, powdery coating or build-up appearing on your razor you will need to clean a bit more regularly more completely.
With the so-called hard water it is advisable to perform the cleaning not monthly but, say, biweekly. Besides, if you rinse and dry the safety razor well after every shave it will take you less time and effort to thoroughly clean the razor.
Just keep a close eye on the body of the razor. Upon detection of the first deposit, it is immediately time to take action.
How it works.
To thoroughly clean your safety razor, take it apart so you can easily reach all parts. Fill your sink with warm water and a little soapy water. Use a soft washcloth and gently rub each part thoroughly.
You can use a soft toothbrush for the harder-to-reach places. If necessary, you can also use a toothpick or a cotton swab so that you really reach every spot. When you are done, place the parts on a towel to dry.
Note: When drying the razor do not use hard cloths. This can damage the coating of your safety razor. Keep it gently.
Deep cleaning
It is a good idea to thoroughly clean your safety razor at least once a year. Even if you use the cleaning tips above, it can't hurt to give the razor a deep cleaning. What do you need for this?
- White wine or apple cider vinegar
- Baking soda
- Maintenance oil
How to proceed.
Briefly put your safety razor in a bath with a diluted solution of white wine vinegar and lukewarm water. A small amount of vinegar (!) - a coffee mug with a few drops. 10% vinegar and 90% water. Not too long. At most 10 minutes to 15 minutes.
Watch out if you have a razor with a chrome coating. It may corrode if you soak it for more than 8 minutes. The concentration of vinegar is also better lowered to a maximum of 5% vinegar in 95% water.
Should, when fully cleaning vinegar fall short you could also use a little baking soda in warm water to clean the shaving instrument. Then it becomes a kind of paste-like substance with which you can clean the safety razor with a soft toothbrush.
After this service turn , rinse the parts with lukewarm water and let the metal dry thoroughly first
Caution: Always be careful when using caustic agents such as vinegar with stainless steel. Preferably this in as thin a composition as possible because if you use too much vinegar, the metal can be quickly corroded. Otherwise, start first with another stainless steel particle that you happen to have lying around to test with first.
Maintenance tips
Use maintenance oil
When the cleaned safety razor is dry, the last thing to do is to apply the proper oil to the screw thread and thread of the shaving head.
For example, use Muhle maintenance oil to lubricate the threads and the hinged parts, such as a butterfly clasp. Then the device will operate smoothly again. Of course, this will also extend the life of your beloved razor.
Do not store in damp areas
Even though a safety razor is waterproof, it is advisable not to park it in a damp bathroom day and night. Moisture can eventually affect stainless steel or the coating on your razor. You also get tarnish sooner. Which is exactly what you don't want.
By the way, do you want to know how to avoid the most common shaving mistakes? Then feel free to take a moment to read the attached article. Always helpful.
Always dry your razor
As we already mentioned, be sure to rinse and dry your safety razor carefully after every shave. This will prevent tarnish from acting on the metal or coating. Make it a simple part of your shaving routine.
Keep your razor in a razor holder
An indispensable part of your razor as well as your shaving brush is a razor holder. Only if you park your shaving instrument hanging upside down in this way can it also dry properly inside and float safely in its garage.
You won't lose it out of sight, won't leave your sharp friend dangling and you'll also protect the double edge blade with this. By the way, read' All about double edge blades' in the attached article.
To conclude
If you want to enjoy your safety razor as long as possible, it is important that you cherish it. If you clean it properly every time after a shave, you will need to use a deep cleaning less often.
For example, when changing the Double Edge razor, you can already rinse the razor well and clean it with a soft brush. If you include this in your razor regime you will enjoy it for years to come!
Tip: Check out our page with razor parts and maintenance. Very handy if you only need to replace a specific part and not have to buy a whole instrument.
If you still have questions we would love to hear from you!
Good luck cleaning.
Your friends, The Alpha Men.