Clark Howard: Extend the life of your disposable razor
Consumer expert Clark Howard’s column appears here each Thursday in conjunction with Deal Spotter, a weekly print section in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Years ago, a listener called my show after I had talked about the razor wars, when Gillette or Schick rolled out their latest model with 14 blades or whatever it was at the time. I was making fun of their marketing ploys and high prices back then by talking about my cheap disposable razors.
The caller said he was an engineer and that he had the real money-saving secret when it came to razors. He told me that drying my disposable razor after each use would make it last for months. Blades degrade from moisture, he explained, not from the actual friction or wear of shaving my stubble every day.
So I tried blotting my disposable razor dry on a towel after each use. That’s not the way he suggested I dry it, but I opted for a lazy man’s approach and it has worked for me. (Others recommend using alcohol or a little drying machine you can buy at the drug store.)
I found that by drying the blade on my towel, I could routinely go eight, 10 or even 12 months on a single disposable razor without cutting myself.
I have a lifetime supply of two 55-count bags of Schick double-edged disposables that I purchased on clearance several years ago at BJ’s Wholesale Club. The price I paid works out to be about 17 cents per razor.
Paying just pennies per blade sounded good to me when fancy razor blades can be $4 a pop.
I know this might all sound crazy to you. But if you’re accustomed to using a costly Gillette or Schick blade and you can make it stretch for weeks or even months by simply drying it, we’re talking about real dough you can save over time.
-by Clark Howard, Save More, Spend Less, Avoid Rip-offs
Find more answers to your consumer questions at ClarkHoward.com. You can also listen to his radio show live 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday on AM 750 and NOW 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB.
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28 comments Add your comment
Jim Sands
March 24th, 2011
8:42 am
After shaving the manufacturers want you to put the plastic cap back on to retain the water. Throw the cap away and blow on the blades.
Vic
March 24th, 2011
9:33 am
I’ve got a better idea. Don’t use disposable razors, as they just go into landfills and sit there for years and years.
I watched this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ADaRIqy0Dc last year and figured I’d try it. I used 1 blade from February 2010-February 2011. It works great.
scooby-doo
March 24th, 2011
10:40 am
I used a Norelco rotary electric shaver for years until it died and I switched to a manual razor. It gives a nice close shave and I love using the foam, but I have sensitive skin and I always end up with razor burns even with new blades no matter how careful I am. I always rinse the blades, but just let it air dry. I recently purchased a Panasonic electric shaver and I’m waiting on delivery now. What got me to switch back is the wet/dry models they make now that allow you to shave with foam or even in the shower. Some of the models come with a charging dock that has a jet cleaning system that actually dries the blades, too. Can’t wait to try it out. BTW-it cost $115 so I hope it’s a good investment.
Tosh.No
March 24th, 2011
10:56 am
Yeah, I got a Norelco electric, hasn’t let me down in years. Razors just tear ma face up.
Jeff in Roswell
March 24th, 2011
11:00 am
I have used this technique when Clark mentioned it a few years back and it does work – although not for the length of time that Clark uses his. I bought a 52 disposable pack from Sam’s a few years back and I’m about halfway through the pack. Used the Mach blades for many years before and loved them but, I just couldn’t get past paying for them anymore – too damn expensive!
Daniel
March 24th, 2011
11:03 am
I have a Gillette Mach 3 razor that is going on about 6 months now, works great. I used to get razor burns and cuts on my face, and I thought it was from using a manual razor. I switched to a higher-end shaving cream (Taylor of Old Bond Street – $15/jar) and kept the Gillette and it works GREAT!! Hope to get several more months out of the currrent Mach 3 blade.
Not so fast my friend
March 24th, 2011
11:07 am
TECHNICALLY, Clark is right on this one, in that yes, you couldfeasibly shave for 10 months w/o cutting yourself- that is if you are 8 years old and you are shaving, yes this would work brilliantly. Unfortunately for those of us with real facail hair, it is not practical. After a couple of weeks, I have to get a new blade b/c I like a close shave. What is a 2 minute shave with a new, fresh blade becomes more time consuming as you have to keep going back over spots as the blade gets older (and duller). I imagine that if Clark is shaving with a 10 month old blade it must take him at least an hour and a half to shave- but hey- no cuts!
joe
March 24th, 2011
11:07 am
The rent is too damn high…
Joe Mama
March 24th, 2011
11:25 am
You can save even more if you just grow a mustache and a beard. I haven’t bought a disposable razor since 1999.
Just a little $15 plug-in trimmer does the trick and I’ve had it for 12 years. And even the enviros can dig on that, because I put *nothing* in landfills except a little hair now and then.
And guys, once the beard grows in and softens up, your wife will love it. Mine does. You know what I’m talking about.
HRPufnstuf
March 24th, 2011
11:50 am
Great advice, Clark. But giving it to us two or three times a year is getting old. Are you trying to get as many uses out of this article as you get out of a blade?
WoodstockDawg
March 24th, 2011
12:05 pm
agreed, i started doing this maybe a year ago when I first heard Clark mention it and it DOES work. Mine won’t last 8 or 10 months or whatever but they do last much longer when dried after each use.
Ed Zachary
March 24th, 2011
12:08 pm
I used to work with a guy who claimed that he had to use a new blade every single day or his face would get torn up. Wonder how much $ he’s spent over the years…
George Constanza
March 24th, 2011
12:23 pm
These pretzels are making me THRISTY!
ZZ Top
March 24th, 2011
12:52 pm
There’s only one thing I use razors for. And it ain’t shavin’.
Matt
March 24th, 2011
12:59 pm
Anyone thinking that this is good consumer advice, just remember, unless you are as hard as a Marine and dry shave with your 12 mo old razor every morning, you use shaving cream. And last I heard, no one has come up with reusable shaving cream, leading me to ask all of you manual razor users, how much do you spend on a can and how often? I see Daniel uses a jar that costs 15 bucks a pop and I would be willing to bet that that doesn’t last as long as the razor does. Instead of following Cheap-o Clark, go out and invest in something that will last and only requires the minimal changing of parts over a lifetime. I have a first generation Braun self-cleaning electric shaver that not only makes quick work of my morning shave (and yes, it does give a close shave, you just need to practice) but also cleans itself using an alcohol based solution, which according to Mr. Howard is one of the ways to dry a blade to keep it lasting. I have owned this one electric face tool for almost 10 years (it was actually a present) and to put a price on the replacement parts and cleaning solution over that time period comes out to around $100; $10 a year. So, I ask again, if you subscribe to Clark’s razor saving methods, how much do you still wind up spending on shaving cream a year?
JoeV
March 24th, 2011
1:09 pm
@Matt
Shaving cream costs about $1.00 for a can that will last 4+ months. I also use an electric razor (mostly), I’m just not so d@mn proud of it…lol.
Matt
March 24th, 2011
1:28 pm
@ JoeV
Glad to hear that you aren’t suckered into @Daniel’s $15 jar of shaving cream. And yes, I am very proud of my razor, its been a good friend all these years lol.
Ben The Independent
March 24th, 2011
1:35 pm
I recalled hearing you on radio talking about this saving, several months ago. I tried it and couldn’t confirm the results you mentioned\. I did notice 1 side of the disposal razor blade can’t be reached with a towel due to plastic ridges blocking access. Maybe I sould do a better job of drying. I consider saving a contest between me and retailers’ efforts to get maximum return on products/services.
Thanks your your advise,
Ben
Tom Haynes Fox 5 News
March 24th, 2011
2:35 pm
By the time i do my “manscaping” my razor is dull after Day 3. I may give Clark’s advice a try. I’m going broke buying razors!
Tuckergirl
March 24th, 2011
2:49 pm
I remember hearing this a while back and have been drying off my Daisy shaver (for my legs) after every use since then. And it does make them last longer! Great tip for guys AND gals.
Shari
March 24th, 2011
3:21 pm
@TomHaynes- Ewwww! TMI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chuck
March 24th, 2011
3:27 pm
I think it was the 2nd or 3rd time this story was posted when I started drying the razor. It does extend the life.
Also, another trick I use is using shampoo instead of shaving cream. Works just as well, and I can wash the hair and shave all at once.
icee
March 24th, 2011
8:31 pm
well, with all best to CH, we cant help it if he’s beardless.
(practically
icee
March 24th, 2011
8:35 pm
O to be that wierd. all around.
Ed
March 28th, 2011
8:50 am
Try shaving after a hot shower, without shaving cream. Works great and blades last forever.
Ray
March 28th, 2011
12:59 pm
I’ve been doing this for years and I’m no engineer.
Ray
March 28th, 2011
1:00 pm
Enter your comments here
Someone has to ask......
March 29th, 2011
9:31 am
If Clark is that efficient with a razor, just imagine how long he can make a roll of TP last—–months I’m guessing.