Skip to main content

How to clean your electric razor for your closest shave

For your closest shave yet, make sure to consistently clean your razor, here's how

best black friday cyber monday electric razor deals razors 2020
Digital Trends

There are certain aspects of men's grooming that, at times, seem to go by the wayside or may often be overlooked. Whether it's a matter of time management or just ignorance, some things need to have a higher priority. Cleaning your razor is one of those. Properly cleaning your electric razor or safety razor with each use and giving it a deep clean about once a week, depending on how often you shave, will not only increase the lifespan of your razor but drastically improve the condition of your skin.

This will also save you money on disposable razor heads because you will have to buy fewer of them. We put together this easy guide to cleaning your razor blades so that you can get the most out of your shaving routine. Trust us, it will have both your razor and your skin looking smoother and fresher than ever.

The key step to optimizing your shaving routine that most guys skip is cleaning your razor on a regular basis. So, how should you get started? Here is our guide for you, demonstrating how to clean your razor, giving you your best shave each and every time.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

10 minutes

What You Need

  • Razor Brush or Old Toothbrush

Why Is It Important to Clean Your Razor?

Cleaning your razor helps keep the blades sharp and the gel strip smooth and lubricated. Razors blades that are not well cared for will wear out faster. More importantly, cleaning your razor is a matter of safety. Razors that aren’t thoroughly cleaned after use can accumulate dead skin cells and debris, which can harbor bacteria. If you cut yourself when shaving -- which is all the more likely if your razor has gunk and buildup from not being properly cleaned -- bacteria from the grime can enter your bloodstream and cause skin infections. Even if you rarely cut yourself visibly, shaving almost always causes microscopic cuts called razor bumps, which are open invitations for pathogenic microbes.

A man shaving in the mirror.
Digital Trends

How to Clean An Electric Razor

If you use an electric razor, you may be lucky enough to have one that comes with a sanitation and cleaning station, which cleans and dries the razor automatically so it’s ready to go for your next shave. If you don’t have an automatic cleaning station for your electric razor, you’ll need to clean the blades or foils manually. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Remove trapped hairs

If you dry shave, you’ll need to remove the top of the electric razor to expose the blades or foils. Most electric razors with rotary blades flip open, while clippers or those with foils often pop off. Use a razor brush or a soft small toothbrush to swipe out loose hairs. Try to avoid tapping the razor against anything to loosen the hairs, but if you need to, tap gently on the body or plastic part of the razor, not near the blades.

If you shave with shaving cream or gel, you’ll need to rinse the razor to remove the gunk.

Replace the cutting block after you’ve removed as much hair as you can.

Step 2: Add liquid soap to the blades

Wet the blades and then add a few drops of dish detergent or antibacterial liquid soap to the blades.

Step 3: Run the razor to allow it to create suds

Turn the razor and let the blades create a sudsy lather for 15 seconds. Add more water as necessary.

Step 4: Thoroughly rinse the razor

Run the razor blades under warm water to rinse away all the soap.

Step 5: Take the head off and rinse it

Turn off the razor, remove the head or cassette, and rinse it, and be sure to get all sides and in between foils or blades.

Step 6: Allow the razor to air dry completely

Leave the razor disassembled to air dry completely in a well-ventilated space.

A razor and a set of blades.
steveph / Pixabay

How to Clean A Wet Razor

Cleaning a regular safety razor -- even if it has disposable razor blade cartridges -- is a necessary addition to your shaving routine. A little extra time will go a long way, here's what to do:

Step 1: Rinse the blades after every stroke

Though it’s common to be in a hurry while rushing through a morning shave before work, one of the key ways to prevent buildup between and around your razor blades is to rinse the blade or blades after every stroke. Rinsing after every stroke washes away the hair, shaving cream, and accumulated cells, which can prevent clogs around the blades. Rinse with very hot water by letting them run through the cartridge from back to front over the blades. This will help clean off any trapped hair and shaving products. If you prefer not to keep the water running, you can fill the sink basin or a cup with clean hot water and vigorously swirl your razor between strokes.

After rinsing, shake off excess water before proceeding to the next stroke. Do not tap the razor blades against the side of the sink. Most people naturally do this, but it can damage the blades and will cause them to wear out faster.

Step 2: Disinfect your razor

When you’re done with your shave, repeat the first step one last time. Then, disinfect the razor blades by soaking the head of the razor in a small dish of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) with a strength of at least 70. Distilled white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide are also viable options, though rubbing alcohol is preferable. Give it 30-60 seconds in the alcohol to help sterilize the blades, and then shake off the excess alcohol. If your razor is looking particularly grimy or the handle has gunk built up, you can actually soak the entire razor in a dish of rubbing alcohol for 5-10 minutes for a deep clean.

Step 3: Hang your razor in a dry place

Allow your razor to air dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated space. Avoid storing in a drawer if possible. Most toothbrush cups or racks have additional spaces for a razor. Do not use a towel to dry your razor as this can damage the blades. Also, do not store your razor in a wet area like the sink or shower. This can cause the blades to rust and encourage mold and bacterial growth.

Overview Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Your Razor

  1. If your electric razor cannot get wet, simply use a dry brush.
  2. Use compressed air to blast out trapped hair.
  3. Use a Q-tip with a little rubbing alcohol to sanitize the blades or foils.
  4. Clean your razor every time you shave to prolong the life of the razor and ensure your shave is sanitary.
  5. Buy a razor brush, a small tool you can use before the disinfecting step to loosen any trapped debris that did not come out in the rinsing step.
Amber Sayer
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Amber Sayer is a fitness, nutrition, and wellness writer and editor, and was previously a Fitness Editor at Byrdie. She…
How to exfoliate your face the right way (according to your skin type)
Exactly how to exfoliate your face, according to your skin type
Facial cloths on a wooden ring dish

Fun fact: Humans shed. While you may think, "Yuck," this process serves a distinct purpose: It removes dead skin cells to make room for new ones. The result? Brighter, clearer skin. Skin cell turnover helps keep your face from looking dull and tired. The process can also reduce the chances of acne and breakouts.

While the skin naturally turns over, your face may need some assistance through exfoliation. Experts generally recommend exfoliating as part of your regular skincare routine (though not necessarily daily). You'll find tons of exfoliating products in the skincare aisle and tons more DIY recipes out there. How to exfoliate the face depends on your skin type. Here's what to know.
What is exfoliating?

Read more
Dull skin? Here’s how to liven it up
Banish dull skin once and for all with these tips and insights
a bunch of serums in a row

You wake up, look in the mirror, and find yourself doing a double-take—and not for good reasons. You may notice your skin looks rather blah and even gray — isn't hair what goes gray? While all the talk of achieving "radiant skin" often targets women, men may also want a glow, not merely during the summer months. However, dull skin may be standing in the way.

Having dull skin can also be about more than looking your best (though there's no shame if that's your primary pain point). Sometimes, dull skin includes side effects like patchiness, increased sensitivity, itchiness, and flakes. None of these symptoms will make you feel your best, either.

Read more
How to get rid of those annoying blackheads once and for all
Follow this guide to say bye-bye to blackheads and the steps to keep them from coming back
Man using nose strip

Since many of us are on video conference calls or even video calls with family, there's nothing worse than seeing a blackhead standing sentinel on the plain of your well-groomed face. No matter how good the rest of you looks, the knowledge of that unsightly blemish will ruin your feelings every time you confront your reflection for the rest of the day.

Blackheads happen when excess oil from your skin (known as sebum) and dead skin cells collect in your skin’s pores, the tiny holes that allow your skin to "breathe." Blackheads result from clogged pores with open surfaces, allowing for dark-colored oxidation that gives the blemish its name.

Read more