Typical Razor Use
Even under perfect use, your razor undergoes a fair amount of wear and tear. Keeping your razor clean and knowing how often to change your razor blades are both crucial if you want to avoid a bad shave.
The performance of a Gillette razor is thanks to its precise geometry: the size and shape of the blades and where they sit in relation to each other, the way that the blades are housed in the cartridge, and the pivoting mechanism that attaches the razor handle to the blade cartridge.
This precision ensures that your razor gives you a clean, close, and targeted shave as long as it is looked after and fitted with an appropriate blade. If you are new to manual shaving, or shaving altogether, knowing how often to change your razor blades can be confusing, but it is important to get into the habit of doing it at the right time to ensure you always get the best shave possible.
Keep reading our handy guide to find out how often to change your Gillette razor blades, and other important razor care tips to make sure you are getting the best shave possible.
The DON’Ts of Razor Maintenance and Care
Even when you set out to give your razor a clean with the best of intentions, you could be damaging your razor unintentionally and reducing the life of the blades. Some common cleaning mistakes include:
- Tapping the razor cartridge against the sink. Many people tap their razor against the sink basin to remove stuck hairs, but this can seriously damage the precisely engineered parts of your razor. Instead, persist with water, and rinse the razor thoroughly to remove lingering hairs.
- Wiping your razor on a towel. Some people do this to remove dirt and debris or dry the blades to lengthen their lives, but instead, they’re likely damaging them and are setting themselves up for a less effective shave. Instead, use water to fully rinse any debris from the blades and allow them to air-dry.
- Never share razor blades. It may seem harmless, but sharing razor blades will not only decrease the lifespan of your blade but also cause a transfer of harmful bacteria between those who use the blades.
Each component of a Gillette razor blade is precisely positioned at an angle and distance calculated to create a close and comfortable shave. Bad cleaning habits and not knowing how to take blades off your razor correctly can affect that geometry and result in sub-par shaves or irritated, red skin.
The DO’s of Razor Maintenance and Care
- Rinse your razor blades after every few strokes, letting the water run through from the back of the blade to the front to dislodge hairs and any stuck debris.
- Shake off excess water to dry off the blades and keep them clean and fresh.
- Store your razor safely. With our range of shaving accessories, you can easily find travel cases, covers and hangers that suit your razor, and allow you to store your it anywhere with ease.
If you’d prefer not to leave the water running, you can also swish your Gillette razor blades through standing water in the basin of your sink or a cup. This is a more environmentally friendly way of cleaning your razor.
If you are using a razor with a front pivot, such as a Gillette Fusion5™ razor, the blades will rinse easily. The unique ‘open architecture’ of the blade’s design allows water to flow through them easily and dislodge stuck hair from your razor.
How often to change razor blades
Knowing how often to change razor blades can be tough, especially if you’re new to shaving or trying out a different razor for the first time. People change blades at different rates, with some people waiting until the blades no longer run smooth, and others changing as often as every few uses.
A good rule of thumb is to change your razor blades in Gillette 5-blade razors (such as the Fusion5 and ProGlide ranges) after 20 shaves. With 3-blade razors (such as the Gillette Mach3 range), we recommend changing your razor blade heads after around 15 comfortable shaves. At this point, your blade will have begun to dull somewhat and may have debris and hair lodged firmly within it. This will prevent you from getting the same smooth, close shave a fresh blade would, and may cause irritation or ingrown hairs on the area you are shaving.
Replacing Gillette razor blades is easy once you know how. The first step is simply selecting a head that suits you from our range of blades. Once you have your new head, just unclip the used head from your razor by lifting it from the bottom and clip your new razor onto the now-exposed slot. If you are wondering what to do with your old razor blade, then you can read our guide here which explains in detail how to handle old blades safely and recycle them.
Gillette razor blades are at their best when they are fresh and looked after. If you store your blades correctly and ensure they are rinsed well, they will stay in good condition for longer.
Top Take-aways
If you want the best shave possible, then practising good razor maintenance and cleaning habits should become a part of your daily shaving ritual. Thorough and correct razor cleaning will help your razor perform better and for longer periods.
Wear and tear takes its toll. So when your blades stop being effective, shop your next Gillette razor blades here. Would you like to have fresh blades delivered to your doorstep? Have a look at our Razor Subscriptions, and make sure you never get stuck with dull blades again. Give yourself the shave you deserve with Gillette razor blades, uniquely designed to give you a precise, close, and smooth finish.
