How to clean an electric shaver and razor: head, foil and blades kept hygienic

After a few days without care, a grey layer of stubble, skin flakes and skin oil builds up in the shaving head. The shaver pulls, cuts less well and sometimes smells unpleasant. To clean an electric shaver, you don't need expensive special products – just the right technique and a little care with the delicate foil.

Foil shaver, rotary shaver, beard trimmer or classic manual razor: five steps show how to keep your device clean after every shave, when a thorough clean is due and when blades or shaving heads need replacing.

Why you should clean your electric shaver regularly

Every shave leaves stubble, skin flakes, sebum and traces of shaving foam or gel in the device. In an electric shaver they collect between the foil and the cutter block; in a manual razor, between the blades. The consequences:

• A poorer shave: clogged blades tug at hairs instead of cutting them cleanly.
• Skin irritation: a dirty shaving head rubs harder on the skin. Redness and small spots can follow.
• Smells and germs: damp residue is a good breeding ground for bacteria.
• Shorter lifespan: stubble dust strains the motor and mechanics, and rust attacks blades.

That said, there is no need to disinfect everything. The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health stresses that good home hygiene matters more than the strongest cleaning products. For your shaver, as for your hairbrush, that means cleaning regularly and correctly rather than occasionally with harsh products.

1. Dry-clean the electric shaver

Switch the shaver off and unplug the cable before you open it. Then remove the shaving head or cassette as described in the instructions.

1. Gently tap the head, opening facing down, over the washbasin or a sheet of paper – don't knock it against hard edges.
2. Brush out the cutter block and the inside of the housing with the brush supplied.
3. Do not brush the foil. It is wafer-thin, and even light pressure can bend or pierce it.
4. Put everything back together and check that the head clicks into place properly.

Rinse away the stubble in the washbasin straight away. To clean the rest of the bathroom efficiently, read our guide on the right order for cleaning a bathroom.

2. Rinse the shaving head – only if allowed

Many modern shavers can be rinsed under the tap. The instructions or a symbol on the device tell you whether yours is one of them. If nothing is stated, clean it dry only.

If the device is washable, proceed as follows: switch the shaver off, open the head and rinse the parts with warm water. For stubborn residue, some manufacturers allow a few drops of liquid soap. Then rinse thoroughly, shake and leave the head to air-dry open – don't rub it dry with a towel.

On rotary shavers the heads can usually be taken out one by one. When reassembling, follow the instructions exactly.

3. Use a cleaning station correctly

Some shavers come with a cleaning station. It rinses the head with a fluid from a cartridge, dries it and, depending on the model, lubricates it too.

• Place the station on a flat, stable surface and insert the shaver as shown in the instructions.
• Change the cartridge as soon as the device prompts you or the fluid is visibly dirty.
• Don't fill it with any other liquid; only use the matching original cartridges.

4. Manual razors: rinse, dry, change the blade

With a manual razor, care after shaving decides how long the blade stays sharp.

1. While shaving, rinse the blade regularly under warm running water.
2. Afterwards, rinse it thoroughly and shake off the water gently. Don't bang it on the edge of the washbasin.
3. Don't wipe the blade with a towel – that dulls the edges.
4. Let the razor dry upright or in a holder somewhere dry, not in the damp shower.

Change the blade as soon as it pulls, your skin burns after shaving or rust appears. A fixed schedule is of little use; it depends on your beard and how well you look after the razor. Razors and blades are personal items: don't share them, not even within the family, as shaving easily causes tiny nicks. Before throwing used blades away, wrap them in paper or collect them in a small tin so nobody cuts themselves.

5. Look after it and replace worn parts

After cleaning, many manufacturers recommend lubricating the foil or trimmer blades with a drop of oil or a care spray. This reduces friction and protects against corrosion. Use the product named in the instructions.

Foils and cutter blocks wear out, and manufacturers state when they should be replaced. If the foil is dented, torn or has holes, replace it immediately – otherwise you risk cutting yourself.

The most common mistakes

• Brushing the foil: the thin foil bends, and the shaver cuts less well or nicks the skin.
• Rinsing a device that isn't waterproof: water can permanently damage the electronics and motor.
• Using alcohol or harsh cleaners: without the manufacturer's approval, plastics and seals can suffer.
• Keeping the manual razor in the shower: constant moisture makes blades rust.
• Using worn parts for too long: blunt blades and damaged foils irritate the skin.

Priority Clean editorial teamOur cleaning team from Alberswil, Canton of Lucerne, shares hands-on experience from move-out, house, office and window cleaning across Central and Northwestern Switzerland.