For years I have been using disposable razors past the two days-two week or so recommended usage time period the razor companies suggest. I never really thought about trying to extend the life of my razor, but on the Dr. Oz show in the fall (I can’t find it on his website now, but 9/11 or 10/11), he had a guest on who was talking about frugal tips, and this one caught my attention.
To help extend the life of your disposable razor, dry it off completely after each use and keep it in a dry spot for storage. You should be able to use it for months after drying it faithfully as long as there are no signs of rust. Then toss it. No, I haven’t found any other uses for old razors. Do you have one?
I used to consistently store my razor right in the wet shower area, but now I store it on a dry shelf to keep it dry. I think I’ve only used two or three different razors since then.
Have you read…?
I use a double-edged safety razor. Each time I shave, I remove the blade, wipe both sides, and flip before replacing. Bonus: the blades only cost $.10 each AND work better than regular razors! To make my shave last longer, I exfoliate before shaving (gets rid of dead skin the razor would have to remove, and gives you a closer shave); this one step makes my shave last an extra 1-2 days!
Thanks for sharing your frugal insights! Very helpful…
Years ago we started putting rubbing alcohol in a small spray bottle for use in our medicine cabinet and first aid kits. The mist works much better than a saturated cotton ball on cuts and scrapes. I decided that a few sprays on the damp razor blade would help keep it bacteria free. The added bonus is that the alcohol helped to dry the blade. Our razor blades last months longer now, and we also no longer get razor bumps or skin irritations which we had assumed were from the bacteria in the razor before we started using the rubbing alcohol.
Hi Kathy. Thanks so much for the tip-what a great idea! I appreciate you sharing! I will have to try it.
Good to know! I’ll be doing this for sure, every little tip helps when it comes to the expensive stuff. I have to share my tip with razors too… I have not bought a new razor for myself in at least 8 years. I use my husbands old blades instead. Sounds weird, I know, but… He has super sensitive skin so we have to buy him good razors. Then, he can only use a blade two or three times before retiring it (thankfully he only has to shave once a week or we’d go broke on blades alone!). I ran out of razors once, so I stole his used blade he was about to throw out & found it was still great for me to shave my legs with. Actually, it was so good I kept using it and it lasted me a good couple months. So we bought a second razor and now he saves his used blades for me, saving us $$ 🙂
Awesome! Thanks for sharing and visiting!
I heard this when I was teenager, sharing a bathroom with my 3 sisters. That’s a lot of showers! I tried to store my razor in my room, right next to the bathroom so it wouldn’t get steamy with condensation. But I always forgot it in my room so I couldn’t do it anymore. Good to know!
I had no idea! Who knew?
I very rarely change razors, but haven’t tried this… Thanks for this tip which will help me make them last even longer!
Thanks for this great tip
would love it if you could share them on my link party – http://serenityyou.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/serenity-saturday-48.html
Natasha xx
I’ve been doing this for years now! I can usually make my razor last at least 6 months!
I”m going to try this!
Brilliant! I was just added new razors to my list since my old one is getting icky after storing it in the shower. Hopefully my new one will last longer. 🙂
Thanks so much for linking up at Thrifty Thursday !
Hi Anna, Thanks for visiting! Hope it lasts way longer!
I saw that show and loved that! We too started doing it, it just seems to make sense!
Hi Serena, Doesn’t it totally makes sense! Thanks for visiting!
I hang mine outside the shower on a suction cup razor hanger AFTER I clean and dry it. I wipe it on a towel then use the hair dryer on it before I dry my hair. Not only does it extend the life of the razor, but it also keeps you safe from nasty bacteria that can grow in your shower…and on your razor. It’s a health hazard to leave your razor wet and in the shower.
Hey Dawnell! What great ideas! Thanks for sharing! I love learning from everyone, everywhere!
This is such a good idea! I will have to start doing this! I was just thinking about how much money is used by us on razor refills! It drives me nuts!
I know! I love finding these frugal little tips.