Cleaning razor blades (cut, product, gel, shave)

[NJDevil]

What's the best way to clean the Gillette Venus razors? Running it under water doesn't work for me, it clumps and stays in the corners. Should I soak it? would soaking in vinegar or alcohol help? Thanks.

[pitt_transplant]

• Before ever using it and between shaves: Dot mineral oil on a cotton ball and swipe the blades. Hold the cotton ball with tweezers so you don't cut yourself. This protects the blade so it lasts longer and stuff does not stick to it as much because the oil coating provides a smoother surface than strait metal or corroded metal.

• Rinse your blade from behind with each swipe - gets a less irritating shave and prevents build up

What do you use to shave with? Some things are so bad for razor clogging it makes me CRAZY! LOL
Lately I have been using almond oil (now foods brand) as a pre-shave oil and then a tea tree (antibacterial, helps prevent breakouts) castile soap as lather (dr.bronners). I don't get much razor build up with that.

A quick clean is just spritz it with some sort of soap scum busting bathroom cleaner. Let it soak 5 minutes while your brush your teeth and then rinse from behind and/or swish it vigorously underwater in the sink. (do a final rinse if you swish under water)

If you want to go chem free just stick a cheap eyeshadow brush in bathroom you wipe/scrub it out.

[NJDevil]

I shave with melaleuca brand shave cream, I believe it has some tea tree in it as most of their products do. I guess I can use one of their cleaners to soak it in also. Thanks!

[TammyatVenus]

Hi there - first of all - for total clarity - I'm Tammy and I work for Venus, so I have some Venus specific answers, but in addition, I shave with the razors, so have a consumer point of view to offer as well.

I highly recommend not using "cleansers" to clean the Venus razors. Venus razors are designed to be able to have all hair removed from the razor with running water. People use a variety of things to assist in the shaving process, many of these things clog up the blades. We recommend shave gel more than shave cream, but most shaving creams should be fine. Double check to make sure the one you're using is intended for multi-blade razors (versus straight razors).

Mineral oil can eat away at the coating we've put on the blades, so it's not recommended.

Everything should come out of the blades easily if you run them under a good strong flow of water.

I hope this helps, if not, let me know! Thanks, Tammy

[JordanJP]

I'm a dude.. but I clean my shaving razor with a cheap, "unused" toothbrush and hydrogen peroxide.

[FlyerNation]

American men have become so neutered in Western Culture that they don't even know how to shave their face properly.

Here's a clue to a clean, close, old-school shave: Burma Shave. Thank me later.

[pitt_transplant]

Originally Posted by TammyatVenus

Mineral oil can eat away at the coating we've put on the blades, so it's not recommended.

It does not reduce the longevity of the razor. It makes the product last longer, so I can see why you would advise against it as a rep for the company.

The coating only lasts about a week or two without cleaning/oil. But if you oil it and re-oil like you would any other blade, it keeps it sharp and lasting longer when the coating is long gone.

I used to have a product made for that and it was blue. It was marketed to men but it worked great. One of the main ings was mineral oil. Does anyone remember that product? So I just started using the strait mineral oil that I use on my clipper blades instead of buying another item.

So many HBA have mineral oil in them. I only have to use cleansers and brushes when I have been oiling my razor for 6 months or so.
Otherwise it rinses clean from behind. But I never used creams. I feel like they clog anything over a single blade.

[NJDevil]

You appear to be right, pitt....if you google it, you'll find many sites confirming the mineral oil fix. Gillette Fusion ProGlide is "coming soon" with the oil in it. I am unlikely to go buy some oil, I think hot water/alcohol/a dry toothbrush is all I need (since I already have those) but I really appreciate the tip.

[cb at sea]

Reader's Digest (their "saving money" section) recommends dipping the blades in alcohol after use...to keep the blades sharp longer....dries fast.
If you're talking about the handle...not the actual blades, then when you throw the old cartridge away, use tub cleaner on the handle...that will clean it. Then, stick on a new cartridge...you're good to go!