How to Clean and Maintain an Electric Shaver

Cleaning and maintenance of an electric shaver is an important thing you have to do – for increasing its lifespan and improve its efficiency.

Fortunately, latest electric shavers are easy to clean manually, especially if you follow a simple yet effective procedure.

If you are not aware of this process, then this article is of a great help.

Here, we have provided clear instructions and step-by-step process on how to clean and maintain an electric razor.

How to Clean Your Electric Shaver?

If you have been using an electric shaver for a long time, you would know that hair clippings, oils, and skin particles accumulate in it. This build-up eventually damages the shaving heads and limits their movement. Consequently, it puts more pressure on the motor when the shaver runs and diminishes its intensity.

Here we are with the step-by-step process to clean an electric shaver. Follow these steps religiously if you want your device in its top form.

Step 1: Disassemble the Electric Razor

The first thing you need to do before you get started with the cleaning process is to unplug your electric shaver. If your device is battery powered, remove the batteries from it before you start cleaning.

Now, assemble the electric razor by taking out all the parts one by one. Make sure you do it near a sink or a trash bin. This will let the loose hair or debris fall into it when opening the device. Take apart your razor if it can come apart. Most razors come apart, but some are all one piece.

Make sure you take apart the razor over the sink or garbage because loose hair and debris will fall out as you open the razor.

After disassembling the electric shaver, you can clean each part separately.

Let us learn how to undo the parts of different kinds of razors.

a) Rotary Head Razors

For a rotary head shaver, you will have to flip open the top. Some models of these shavers come in such a way that you can pop off the top completely. After opening the top, remove the retainer that holds the blades in their place. Now, remove the blades from it. Doing this will allow you to clean every nook and cranny of the shaver.

 b) Foil Razors

For foil razors, pop off the protective foils directly. You can see the oscillating inner blades. While some models do not contain this option, most of them do.

 c) Clipper Razors

If you are using an electric clipper razor, pop off the head first. You can see the clipper blades. Now, remove the blades with the help of a screwdriver for a thorough clean.

Step 2: Clean the Razor

Now that you removed all the parts of the electric shaver, it is time for cleaning. Let us see the necessary steps in this process.

 a) Remove The Hairs and Debris In the Shaver Head Using a Dry Brush

After you undo the electric shaver, remove the hairs stuck in the shaving head.

This is all you need:

• Toothbrush
• Nail Brush

Instructions to follow:

• Tap the frame gently over your hand near a sink or trash can. This will let the tiny hairs and debris fall into it.
• Some models come with a little brush to clean the devices. If your shaver has one, you can use it to clean the appliance. If it does not contain a brush, you can make use of a toothbrush or a small nail brush to clean the inside of the razor.
• Use any of the brushes available to clean and remove as many hairs and dead skin cells from the razor head and the blades. Letting these remain inside the crevices can hamper the ability of the shavers. Hence, consider this as a crucial step in the cleaning process to avoid such issues.

 b) Clean The Shaving Head With Water or Cleaning Spray

After removing the hairs from the shaving head, wash it thoroughly.

This is all you need:

• Water
• Soap
• Warm Water
• Brush
• Cleaning Spray

Instructions to follow:

• Firstly, rinse the shaving head under running water. Or, you can pour some water on the blades to rinse them well after dry brushing them.
• Now, add a little soap and warm water to the shaving head. Take a brush to scrub the blades and other removable parts of the shaver.
• Using soap and warm water will keep the bacteria at bay and your device safe.
• You can even use a cleaning spray to wash the inside of the shaver. However, these are not for use under the water.
• Apply the cleaning spray on the blades and other parts of the electric shaver.
• Use a brush to scrub them thoroughly.
• Before applying the spray on the blades check whether they contain lubricant. Some cleaning sprays consist of lubricants that can help get your job done easily in a single shot.

 c) Sanitize the Electric Shaver 

After you finish washing the blades and other parts of the shaver, you will have to sanitize them properly.

This is all you need:

• Rubbing alcohol
• Cloth
• Cotton Ball

Instructions to follow:

• Use the rubbing alcohol to clean the blades of the shaver and the other parts.
• Take a clean cloth and dampen it with the rubbing alcohol.
• Apply it to the blades and other parts of the shaver after you finish dry brushing and cleaning the device.
• You can even use a cotton ball instead of a cloth.
• This alcohol will kill the bacteria in the blades and further prevents their occurrence. It will help your electric shaver stay clean and sanitized.

 d) Clean the Outside Body of the Razor

You should always clean the outside body of the electric shaver. Let us look at the steps for doing it.

This is all you need:

• Alcohol-based Wipe
• Water
• Paper Towel
• Soap

Instructions to follow:

• Take an alcohol-based wipe and clean the outside body of the shaver.
• You can even use a paper towel and dampen it with water and a dab of soap.
• Use this towel to wipe down the exterior of the razor.
• Now, take a clean paper towel to wipe off the excess soap.

e) Dry the Electric Shaver After Cleaning

The last step in the cleaning process of the electric shaver is to dry the device completely. This is the most crucial step, and you should never skip it. If the water remains in the razor after washing, the blades and the device will rust. This will make the appliance useless. All your efforts in cleaning and maintaining go futile. If you want to prevent this, you have to air dry the shaver without fail.

This is all you need:

• Clean Towel

Instructions to follow:

• After you have finished cleaning the blades and the electric shaver, pat them with a clean towel to remove the water.
• Now, lay all the parts of the razor on a clean dry towel to let them air dry.
• Once they are dried, you can reassemble the parts.

Step 3: Reassemble The Electric Shaver

After you finish cleaning all the parts of the razor and dry them completely, you can reassemble them. Now that you have put all the pieces of the device together, apply lubricant to it and run the shaver for a couple of seconds.

This is all you need:

• Light Oil
• Lubricant Spray

Instructions to follow:

• You can use a lubricant spray and apply it to the blades of the razor.
• You can even use a light oil to lubricate.
• After lubricating, place it back in its case and store it in a proper place.

How to Clean Waterproof Electric Shaver? 

Let us try to learn how to clean a waterproof electric razor. Here is a step-by-step guide to follow:

Step 1: Remove The Hair Strands From The Shaving Head

Even for a waterproof razor, you need to start with removing the hair strands stuck inside the shaving head. Before you do anything as such, you need to turn off the device and unplug it or remove the batteries from it. Let us try to remove the hairs from it.

This is all you need:

• Toothbrush
• Nail Brush

Instructions to follow:

• For rotary razors, tap the frame gently over your hand near a sink or trash can. This will let the tiny hairs and debris fall into it. Try to remove as many as you can.
• Some models come with a little brush to clean the devices. If your shaver has one, you can use it to clean the appliance. If it does not contain a brush, you can make use of a toothbrush or a small nail brush to clean the inside of the razor. Remember, you can only use it only inside and not on the foils directly.
• Use any of the brushes available to clean and remove as many hairs and dead skin cells from the razor head and the blades.

Step 2: Clean The Shaving Head With Water and Liquid Soap

After removing the hairs from the shaving head, wash the foils or comb thoroughly.

This is all you need:

• Water
• Liquid Soap
• Hand Soap / Dishwash Soap
• Shower Gel

Instructions to follow:

• Firstly, pour some water on the shaving head and add a little liquid soap to it.
• You can even use hand soap or dishwasher soap.
• Instead of the above, you can use a shower gel, as well.

Step 3: Turn On The Shaver And Keep It Running

After applying liquid soap, you may want it to lather and coat the shaving head or foils nicely.

This is all you need:

• Water

Instructions to follow:

• Sprinkle some more water on the shaving head or foils. This will allow the lather to distribute freely throughout.
• Now, turn on the shaver and let it run for about 10 seconds.

Step 4: Rinse The Shaving Head Under Warm Tap Water

Rinse the shaving head under warm tap water for about 10 seconds. This will help in removing the foam, and other stuck hair strands or debris from it.

Step 5: Turn Off The Electric Shaver And Wash The Shaving Head Separately

Let us move on to the next step.

This is all you need:

• Water

Instructions to follow: 

• After rinsing, turn off the electric shaver.
• Now, remove the shaving head from the device.
• For rotary head shaver, just flip open the top to access the blades.
• For foil razors, pop off the protective foils directly to see the oscillating inner blades.
• After removing the shaving head, wash it separately with water.
• Clean both inside and outside of the razor.

Step 6: Dry the Electric Shaver After Cleaning

The last step in the cleaning process of the electric shaver is to dry the device completely. This is the most crucial step, and you should never neglect to do this.

This is all you need:

• Clean Towel

Instructions to follow:

• After you have finished cleaning the shaving head and the electric shaver, shake off the excess water from them. Now, pat them with a clean towel to remove the water.
• Now, lay all the parts of the razor on a clean dry towel to let them air dry.
• Once they are dried, you can reassemble the parts.

How To Clean Self-Cleaning Electric Shavers?

Till now, we have seen how to clean electric shavers and those that are waterproof. Let us now move on to the self-cleaning razors. In this section, we will learn how to clean a self-cleaning device. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Locate the cleaning dock in the electric shaver.

Some high-end models from self-cleaning electric shavers come with a cleaning dock. This dock helps in cleaning and lubricating your device. All you need to do is locate where it is so that you can activate this option for the cleaning process.

This cleaning dock usually consists of a cartridge containing fluid. The moment you activate this feature, the liquid starts its job by moving around the shaving head and cleans it.

Step 2: Activate the cleaning dock.

As the second step, activate the cleaning dock feature in your share. You can do it by simply clicking the shaver into the station, and the shaver head goes down. Immediately, the station pumps out the cleaning fluid into the shaver head.

Step 3: The cleaning process takes place.

The cleaning fluid present in the cartridge is an alcohol-based liquid that helps in effectively removing hairs, debris, dead skin cells, etc.

Step 4: Lubricate the shaving head.

The cleaning fluid also contains a lubricant. While cleaning, it simultaneously lubricates the blades of the shaving head. This lubricating process keeps the blades sharp and makes them durable.

Step 5: Dry the shaving head after cleaning

Again, drying the shaving head is an automatic process, and you will not have to do it manually. The heating element present in the electric shaver dries the shaving head. Besides, the cleaning station in the device acts as a docking station. That means after cleaning, it charges the unit.

If you consider both manual and automatic cleaning electric shavers, the latter is the most effective in terms of cleaning. Since it is a self-cleaning process, the output you can expect is far better than the manual process.

No matter how carefully you try to clean your shaver manually, you still cannot achieve better results as a cleaning station.

It pumps the cleaning fluid with high pressure around the shaving head and cleans it. This is something you cannot do by hand.

A cleaning station plays a crucial role in prolonging the lifespan of the shaving head. It does not require any effort from your end. Above all, it helps in reducing the chances of a razor burn.

Make sure that there is a sufficient amount of cleaning fluid in the cleaning station. You will have to refill the cartridges often based on the quantity available. The cleaning station will not work if there is no required amount of fluid.

If you want your device to stay clean, ensure to do the refilling from time to time. These refills usually come in a pack of 2 or 3.

How To Maintain An Electric Shaver?

While cleaning an electric shaver is one thing, maintaining it properly is yet another vital part. The maintenance process requires only a few minutes. Hence, do not neglect this step. Here are the simple tips for maintaining your shaver that will keep your device clean and ensures smooth running.

Tip 1: Clean Your Electric Shaver Regularly

Cleaning your electric shaver is a crucial thing. This is an essential step if you want to extend the life span of your razor and enjoy a clean, smooth and safe shave.

Clean the razor blades regularly. They have hair, dead skin cells, oil, and debris stuck in them. Not cleaning them often will make the blades dull. As a result, you will find it harder to get a close and good shave.

Another possible consequence is the bacteria growth in the shaver. The skin flakes and oil build-up in the blades can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Whenever you cut yourself while shaving, the bacteria from the razor can enter the wound and cause infection. To prevent such unsafe instances, regular cleaning is a must.

The next immediate question that one has is how often to clean? Well, here is the answer. You should clean the shaver after every use. As the least part, you can clean the shaver head and rinse it properly with water. Some models have a self-clean option. You can activate this feature to clean the shaver head after each use.

If your razor does not have a cleaning station, deep cleaning the unit weekly once is advisable. Nevertheless, regular or daily cleaning will keep your electric razor in good condition.

Tip 2: Charge Only When Needed

Charging is yet another thing that we often overlook. Not many of us understand the importance of charging the electric shaver. It acts as a catalyst in enhancing the performance of the device and increasing its longevity.

Always remember that you should charge the electric shaver as and when needed. Do not overcharge it, or do not wait till the battery drains completely. Both are harmful to the device. Sometimes, we have the habit of putting the shaver for charging and leave it plugged. This will overcharge the battery, resulting in overheating or not holding the charge. Some models come with batteries that do not overcharge even after leaving them charged for a long time.

Similarly, do not let your battery drain completely. Not having enough charge may leave you with half job done. Moreover, you may get up in the morning to pick your shaver with insufficient charge. As a result, you will not have a proper shave. You may even have to put it under charge to get a close shave. And this may take several hours in your busy day. When that said, you will not have that time as you prepare yourself for the daily routine.

The best thing you can do is charging as per the requirement. It is advisable to read the instructions for charging your battery. The full capacity to which you can charge the shaver and the time it takes to full will come mentioned in the manual. Following these instructions, you can charge the device whenever you need it. This will keep your battery in better condition, and your electric shaver will be ready to use.

Tip 3: Use Lubricant To Keep Your Blades Sharp and Safe

The lubrication process helps in reducing the heat on the blades that make shaving comfortable for the users. Lubricating them regularly increases the life span of the motor, blades and further reduces the stress on the motor. And the ultimate result, you will get a close shave. Since there is less stress applied on the blades, you will not have to press the shaver harder against your skin for a smoother shave.

But how do you do it? How do you apply the lubricant to your electric shaver? Here are the steps for lubricating your razor.

This is all you need:

• Multi-purpose Light Oil
• Lubricant Spray

Instructions to follow:

• You can use a lubricant spray and apply it to the blades of the razor. Make sure you do it after a thorough cleaning.
• If you have a rotary shaver, disassemble the head before you start spraying.
• You can even use a multi-purpose light oil or sewing machine oil to lubricate.
• When using the light oil, pour two to three drops of it on the blades of the razor. You can even put the oil directly into the foils and run the shaver for a few seconds.
• This will allow the oil to get into all the parts of the shaver, making it ready to use.
• After lubricating, place it back in its case and store it in a proper place.

Tip 4: Replace Foil or Cutter

Here is another crucial maintenance tip. You need to replace the blades and foils of your device regularly. These will become dull and start losing their effectiveness over time. Using dull blades will not give a proper shave and requires putting more stress. Sometimes, even bacteria start building up in the blades when not cleaned regularly. This can infection whenever you have a cut while shaving.

It is advisable to replace the blades or foils after every one year or so. Refer to the user manual for instructions and other information related to the replacement. Be careful when changing the parts, as you should only use those made for your shaver.

Here is another pro-tip from us.

We advise you to check for the price of parts at the time of purchase. You will get a complete idea of the replacement costs in the future.

Tip 5: Use A Case for Protection

It is very natural that we often drop our electronic devices on the floor. Starting with mobile phones to tablets, it is an inevitable incident that occurs with many of us. If we were to count the number of times we did it, we would hardly remember, as it is too numerous to count. The same is the situation with a razor too.

The best way to protect your electric shaver is to use a protective case for it. This case is a wonderful option to keep your device when not in use. It even protects the razor as a shield in case you drop it or there is an accidental fall in the sink. Additionally, it limits the chances of dust and debris entering the blades and gunk it up.

There are a few things you need to be more careful of when cleaning an electric shaver. Never tap the device over the sink to remove the hair strands or debris trapped in the shaving head. This will damage the razor and cause it to break. Although, this may not happen when you are doing it for the first time. But, if you have the habit of tapping it, this may break your shaver sooner or later.

Tip 6: Consider A Warranty

Let me give you a bit of smart advice. It is always a wise option to invest in the warranty of a razor. Despite proper maintenance and regular cleaning, things can still go wrong. In such cases, a warranty would be of great help to fix these issues without making things worse. Also,

it will help you to replace the entire unit, if necessary.

When should you replace the blades in the electric shaver? 

The rotary blades and shaving foils are the heart of any electric shaver. They work extensively in helping you keep up with your grooming needs. Eventually, the blades may lose their sharpness, and the shaving foils their effectiveness. Here are a few signs that are clear indications that it is time to replace the blades or foils:

• Is your shaver not giving a close shave as it used to? Are you passing your device on the same area of your face multiple times? Are you pressing it harder against your skin to get a closer shave? Then there are high chances that the blades lost their sharpness and became dull.
• While shaving, do you feel the cutting mechanism is hotter than what it used to be? If yes, then it is an indication that there is wear and tear to blades and foils. When these rub together against your skin, it causes friction.
• Do you feel that your hair is getting pulled out instead of cutting? If you start feeling your hair pulled and tugged when shaving, it is probably time to replace the cutting block.

If you notice any of the above-mentioned scenarios, you should understand that the cutting parts of your electric shaver need replacement. The time it takes for you to observe these signs is dependent on various factors. These include how often you shave, your facial hair growth, the coarseness of the hair, the technique you use for shaving, the frequency of cleaning the razer, and the initial quality of the cutting mechanism.

The electric shaver manufacturers recommend replacing the foils and blades once every 12 to 18 months. Sometimes, you may have to replace them sooner than the mentioned period. Hence, it is essential to keep watching over your blades and notice any signs of damage or wear. Else, it would lead to bigger issues that you cannot anticipate having.

There is one thing you need to be mindful of – the cutting parts of the electric shaver are not cheaper. That said, you need to be careful when choosing the right products.

Do not get tempted by the lowest price and end up purchasing them. This is going to cost you a lot in the near future. It is advisable to invest in replacement parts that are worth your money and the results. It is a must if you are using a high-end model.

If you are using a mid-range or cost-effective electric shaver, it would be wise if you replace the whole unit, altogether.

Trimmer vs Shaver: How different are they both?

While that has been cleared, let us get back to Shaver. Today, we will be talking about how to clean, lubricate and maintain your shavers and also, teach you what more you can do with them. 

Conclusion:

If you want your electric shaver to perform its best without any hindrances, you need to follow a regular cleaning and maintenance routine. This article dealt with everything you need to know concerning the maintenance process for different models. Depending on the type of electric razor you have, you can follow the cleaning method mentioned in this article for the best results. Let us know if you have tried any of these. Do share your experiences in the comments below and let our readers know of their efficacy.

Write to us if you feel this article is helpful and informative. If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to let us know. We will try our best to answer all your queries at the earliest.

We welcome your feedback. So, do not hesitate to add your inputs to this article or let us know if we missed out on any points. We accept your suggestion and would love to hear from you.

Stay healthy and stay safe!!!