How to Clean Your Vintage Razors

If you've ever shopped for vintage razors, you know that they can get pretty funky from years of use, abuse, and neglect. Here's the process I use for cleaning my razors.

Here's what you need to get started.

A box of Borax
A bowl or container capable of holding your razor(s)
Some dish-soap/water mix (50/50)
Some cotton swabs
Some table salt
Some Lemon Juice (Not pictured)
Paper towels (Not pictured)
A soft Cloth (Not pictured)
An old toothbrush (Not pictured)
Some funky old razors you spoliated from the neighborhood antiquery.

If you have any three part razors, take them apart before continuing.

Next, add your other razors to the pan, and soak them all down with the soap solution.

Use the cotton swabs and the toothbrush to work off as much of the crud as you can.

Excercise caution when you wash the head of the razor, you don't want to scratch the finish.

Rinse the razors, and set them aside.

Next, line the pan with aluminum foil.

Sprinkle a generous helping of Borax in the pan.

Add a dash of salt.

Pour near-boiling water into the pan.

Add razors.

Let them soak for half an hour to an hour.

If your razors are particularly cruddy, you might want to add a shot of Lemon Juice.

Take the toothbrush to the tough spots on the handles, being sure to get into all the little tight spots.

Rinse your razors off.

Use a soft cloth to polish the razors.

Enjoy your shiny new (old) shaver!