How To Clean, Condition, and Break-In a Shaving Brush

[@charlesleatherman2782]

I just purchased my first safety razor in 50 years. Started using a badger brush a little over a year ago but have not used a safety razor until now. I found your website and went crazy watching the fabulous videos. Made 3 orders in 2 days. Packages will begin arriving tomorrow. Fantastic service and information. Thanks!

[@jillsnoddon4463]

I just gave my Van Der Hagen and Simogue 1305 boar brushes this deep clean. I also added the vinegar and water soak for 5 minutes between the wash and glycerin cycles. I am still breaking in the brushes, so I did a 10-minute rub out on both of them after finishing. Turned out great!!!

[@hawkeye924]

Clean your brushes as Geo says. I had an older brush (Simpson I believe) and put it through his process using the exact ingredients he subscribed and WOW! what a difference. The brush smelled great and really puffed out like the brush is supposed to. Hats off to you Geo!!

[@kelseymj1975]

when he says conditioner, what exactly does he mean? it looks sort of like hair conditioner but the tube looks like something different.

[@douglasdalen]

@@kelseymj1975 Any luck?

[@kelseymj1975]

D Dalén nothing but I’ve been cleaning my brushes with baby shampoo, that’s the best thing I could find

[@rpreiss33]

Thanks so much for all the Great info, you make DE shaving very easy for the beginner to get into and I appreciate it a lot.

[@alexsantiago357]

Thanks Geo, you are an asset it the Traditional Wet Shave world.

[@e8tballz]

ETHANKS. Worked great. It doesn't matter what brand glycerin...glycerin is glycerin. Just go to the makeup section of any section of cvs and ask for it. I used a almond size amount of cheap hair conditioner and the brush is in better shape than when I bought it. I didn't realize how much dirt and grime builds up, badger is a lot like human hair.

[@ManOfSteel1]

I like the way you have arranged your razors, like fallen dominos 😁

[@geofatboy]

Nice comparison! You're the first person to ever mention that!

[@fallofdutee]

Nice video. Plenty on the 'art of shaving' but not so many on maintenance so this is a breath of fresh air! Just cleaned mine before I discovered this, by using a drop of baby shampoo in water and let sit for 5 mins then rinsed thoroughly.

[@saltwater47]

I didn't realize there was so much prep and maintenance, but I'm sure it pays off after the final shave.learned alot, thanks.

[@markwarnberg9504]

I use regular Hair Conditioner on my brush, I like to comb it when conditioning so as to get all the hairs free. A good rinse - a shake and it´s good to go another 2 weeks.

[@geofatboy]

Great!

[@nico27004]

thanks alot my wife said i didnt need to bother you because she had and used it for her make up. Love your videos and wet shaving has changed my life! thanks for everything!

[@my71chevro1et]

Great informative tutorial. Slightly off-topic, why do you have the razor hanging with the head down in the stand? I thought you would want water to drain away from the blade, not towards it.

[@armedpenguin3825]

Hey Geo, Great tips as always. One question though . What is the point of the glycerin? I scrolled through the comments but couldn't find where it mentioned the purpose of using glycerin. If any others could post an answer I would appreciate it. Geo is busy with running Shave Nation and may not be able to answer. Thanks,

[@manbiteslife3110]

Conditioning the brush. Sorry for being late

[@mfcarpino]

I like to soak my brush in dish soap, water and vinegar in a glass over night. It does a great job cleaning the bristles and also softens the hair.

[@InFltSvc]

Thanks dude ! I just got a great set-up from ( The Art Of Shaving) got my self a $195 silver tip and I love it. Along with a nice stand . I just found you on my first search on the care of it and you seem to have it down good , so I will follow your steps . Few. questions please? How often to you recommend this process ? What is this conditioner you use and the other stuff? Thank you

[@jeroenmulder328]

Thanks

[@39fitz]

Hey Geo, Thanks for this and all the other great videos. I recently got back into 'proper' wet shaving after a 20-year break and I am so glad I did. I look forward to a shave now. Best regards from England - and keep up the good work. 39fitz

[@fallofdutee]

I follow routine similar to geofatboy's - squeeze excess, shake excess, towel any remaining water off so it's slightly damp. Leaving to air should be enough to get it dry by the next shave :-)

[@StockMarketsMadeEasy]

That was a great tutorial! Thanks!

[@geofatboy]

Thanks KAUSIK!

[@Sopeduty]

Thank you good sir for this and your other videos im beginning on my road of old time shaving. They are a big help with the basics of shaving, and maintaining of both the razor and brush. i hope to become a happy shaver! :-)

[@matou2041]

it's work awesome, after 2 years may omega boar brush have the air white after this procedure it's coming yellow like the new omega I brought last week ... its cheap, simple and fast

[@rrachlin]

Excellent presentation. Thanks!

[@BHSKing]

the actual razor hardware can be found at the dollar store although i don't really recommend it the stand can actually be found in target where all the shaving product are at

[@chokeout412]

Is there any issues with wooden handles, considering natural hair brushes need to be soaked in warm water before use? I feel the beautiful woods would be ruined after a short time.

[@vernbruneau4151]

Guess I should do some maintenance on my 20 year old daily omega. Usually just gets a mediocre rinse and a few arm swings in the tub.

[@harplover1]

Trying to decide what kind of conditioner to use on the brush

[@johnclean-shave9221]

Great info. I'm new to the DE Safety Razor shaving community and it never would have occurred to me to clean my shaving brush. Seems gross now that I have the info thanks to you. Definitely will put your advise to good use. One question: How often do you suggest a shaving brush be cleaned? Thanks again!

[@bobpickens1]

Thanks! Great info.

[@josephavery7822]

What was the name brand of the glycerine and conditioner you used and where can you buy them at? I'm about to get my first DE safety razor kit and I need to know everything possible about maintaining all of it and how to correctly use the razor, prep, etc. Thanks in advance!

[@dannyg718]

Geo What tips you have for getting rid of a new badger brush smell Thanks Geo

[@itoldjaso]

Every few months I soak my razors in Barbicide to clean off the soap/cream residue, and the razors sparkle like new----------------I was wondering if a brief Barbicide bath would help or hurt the brushes--------I use 4: synthetic, horse, boar & badger.

[@BeachJazzMusic]

Is the conditioner a special brush conditioner or is it for your hair?

[@cookletsdothis]

Very helpful. Thanks Geo.

[@19SantaMariaValley13]

Can We Do This With Synthetic Brushes As Well?

[@ac42p38]

Is it vegetable glycerine/glycerol used for cleaning the brush?

[@sheshaveswithjill4838]

yes

[@MatthewMorrisMcCormick]

Great video. I notice in the background, you have five razors. Do you use one for each day of the week? my grandfather did that.

[@azshooter348]

He's just getting started. I have over 2 Dozen ...

[@DiamondScuff]

the real question is how do you organize all your shaving stuff. do you just leave it on your bathroom counter?

[@carstenkjller6680]

Does there still exist a handle driven stropping machine for DE Razorblades or is that an ancient thing like “Stropax”?

[@moando1]

Hi Geo, I have tried a similar method to this except using vinegar instead of glycerin... unfortunately my brush still under performs. I have best badger brush for around four years. I'm wondering if it's had its day or not? thanks

[@bobbyfranklin5924]

Is the conditioner a special brush one. Or a normal one that you would use for hair? And osnthe glycerin basically a essential oil mix would that also work?

[@geofatboy]

Lie I said, any softening conditioner you'd use on your hair will work fine.

[@rcald-gz5jd]

Question: What type of conditioner do you use? Can I simply use my hair conditioner, or do I need a product specifically designed for a boar hair brush?

[@geofatboy]

+Robert Caldwell Like I said just about any hair conditioner will work. After all it's natural hair/bristles. The conditioner will soften them up.

[@Xminor79]

+geofatboy - so why not a high quality shampoo then? Especially badger hair. Wouldn't shampoo be better? Why/why not?

[@Jcc988]

Is the glycerin necessary? Like does it get rid of the gunk or just the bacteria?

[@cerbadan]

I noticed you are not using vinegar, is there any intention to avoid vinegar? Do you think that it can damage the hair or the knot glue? Thanks!

[@rottiejakeluke]

What’s you recommendations for those of us who use synthetic brushes? Thanks

[@onurturkcu]

Hello Geo, Is this procedure with dish soap, glycerin, conditioner still recommended or would using shampoo/conditioner on the brush just do? Thanks

[@dylanbaffuto1997]

thanks that helped cuz i just bought one but what about after i use it what do i do just wash off the shave cream & let is dry?

[@UndeadBrony88]

I have a question? How do I revamp the bristles of the brush? Cause they are bent and lay flat?😕❓

[@shavefan12]

some manufacturers recommned drying the brush upside down. Does this need to be treated as gosple, or can you dry your brush with it standing up if you don't have a brush stand?

[@Mentalcheez]

Can synthetic brushes be cleaned this way too? Is there a need to use dish-washing detergent (I'm worried it might cause some reaction on the face if any is left over)? I figured I could use a face-wash instead.

[@jasonnyc2006]

@geofatboy any help with cleaning a synthetic shaving brush?

[@geofatboy]

Have you tried this method? It should work as well.

[@adamccrawford]

Geo, what would you recommend to clean a second hand brush with that will kill the bacteria but not hurt the bristles? I have some barbicide but something tells me that would be too harsh.

[@tonymarinelli7304]

+Adam Crawford On the shave the man channel on youtube, he suggests a tablespoon of Borax in a cup of water or a 50/50 mix of vinegar to water.

[@tonymarinelli7304]

+Adam Crawford On the shave the man channel on youtube, he suggests a tablespoon of Borax in a cup of water or a 50/50 mix of vinegar to water.

[@adamccrawford]

Thanks

[@tonymarinelli7304]

Adam Crawford You're welcome!!

[@pkj77]

nice video, but what can i use as here in Denmark i cant find Glyserine liquid form...only in some soapbars

[@SammyandTex2]

ecig shops have VG with out nicotine

[@darrenwarmington7037]

Pharmacy or in the cake aisle in Europe

[@ΚωνσταντίνοςΡεμούνδος]

Mr.Geofatboy, If I cannot find a Palmolive OXY, what else can I use as an alternative for cleaning the brush?

[@geofatboy]

Any mild dish soap should do it for you.

[@ΚωνσταντίνοςΡεμούνδος]

@@geofatboy Thanks, and by the way, If I don't have a hair conditioner for my brush, it works just fine?

[@geofatboy]

@@ΚωνσταντίνοςΡεμούνδος You should be fine, give it a try.

[@ΚωνσταντίνοςΡεμούνδος]

Well, thanks again.

[@johnnyrbattaglio6943]

Informative 👍

[@shavefan12]

I noticed the Tweezerman in the background. That is the one and only brush that a currently own. Do you happen to know what kind of badger hair it has (best, pure, etc...)?

[@michaelnguyen9439]

What if you don't have glycerin? What can you use instead?

[@daddycavefish]

what kind of conditioner was that and why the glycerin , i have also heard borox is good , what are your thoughts , thanks

[@nico27004]

sorry for bothering you so much but what is that stuff in the bottle after u use the soap. i cant find it. could i use just soap and conditioner?

[@tomellis37]

Geo, I notice that you store/hang your DE razor with the blade end down. I've been storing mine with the blade end up. Is there any good reason to do it one way or the other? Thx. for all your vids! You got me started on wet shaving.

[@rottiejakeluke]

What kinda conditioner do you use? Is it any human hair conditioner of choice? Thanks

[@dickynights]

Great video, where can I find the razor and brush stand?

[@jawojnicki]

Do synthetic brushes need to be conditioned and broken in too?

[@ethangalloway7342]

Coolness bra.

[@geofatboy]

You know it Bra!

[@bronek7729]

And i was wondering Why i had problems with making a good lather after using per-shave oil. Nów i know what to do. Thanks !

[@geofatboy]

Scrub a dub-then lather up!

[@robertocolon2976]

Hi. my question is, what is the name of the protection products which clean the brush? Unfortunately, I screwed the Speakers, so I do not hear that! too bad..

[@dimitrismous]

Hi, whats that conditioner? Thanks in advance

[@dougiesshavin1627]

What brand is the glycerin?

[@geofatboy]

That was along time ago. Any decent brand will do the job. After all it's just hair.

[@JaiisonBANKS]

Thanks for the nice vid. For a thick hairy beard with sensitive skin, would you go for a boar or badger brush? I've got a thick and curly beard hair so was wondering if double edged razors might cause more irritation compared to commercial Gillette ones as it will cut closer to the skin, making the hair more likely to penetrate the skin. any thoughts on that? I do get ingrowns/redness after each shave. Thanks for ur help

[@borislavgarabedyan1315]

I have very coarse beard and prefer BOAR shaving brushes. Boar brushes are more appropriate for men with thick and coarse beards (believe me, I have more than 27 years shaving experience). Let alone that boar brushes are cheaper than badger. Why spend more money on badger, when all you need is quality boar brush. It is well known that using double edge razor is the way to avoid ingrown hairs and irritation. In this aspect double edge razor is by far better than any cartrige plastic "razor".

[@johnclean-shave9221]

How often do you suggest a shaving brush be cleaned? Thanks.

[@ndrthrdr1]

John Clean-Shave I shave every day, and I clean my boar brush once a week.

[@weakpig]

Hi GeoFatboy, I have a Simpson Chubby 3 Super Badger. Lately, I find that the hairs in the CH3 is giving off a very bad smell. I have tried to thoroughly wash it and soak it with hair shampoo and washing conditioner, but i couldn't get rid of the smell. I suspect the brush is too dense and i couldn't dry it completely. I have 3 brushes used on a daily basis with rotation. Savile Row 3330 and Shavemac D01. These 2 brushes don't have this problem... Any idea why?

[@sayhimatt]

The tip of my boar brush is green. What do I do???

[@TMAL44]

Where can I get a conditioner like that? Thanks -Tony

[@MasterofPlay7]

can you blow dry it with cold air?

[@kelseymj1975]

Thanks Geo, does this work for beard brushes too?

[@xenonram]

Any brush that is made of natural hair. Like boar, horse, badger... Human... LOL.

[@kelseymj1975]

@@xenonram cool

[@vasylyevdokymenko9302]

hello, i am from Ukraine and dont understand all. please can anybody write what use for clean shaving brush. Thanks for help.

[@if6was929]

What's the brand name of the conditioner?

[@p2o8wer]

Geo!! WHAT BRUSH IS THAT, THE ONE UR CLEANING???

[@Cobb83SnipeZ]

Hey Geof would you say you have to use a conditioner specifically designed for you're Shaving Brushes,,,,Or could you get away with a good quality hair conditioner ??

[@ncmcgoverns]

I'd kind of like to know the answer to this too?

[@FenderFan1964]

Dan Webb Dan, I was wondering too, but Geo answered someone else's question further up by saying that pretty much any conditioner will due, since the brush is made of hair. A man who made a brush for me a couple years back told me basically the same thing when I emailed him the same question. Hope this helps, take care :-)

[@WarThug13]

If I shave twice a week, how often should I clean my brush?

[@WSRTheWetShaverReview]

Geo great video as always !!! Hey quick question I have an use both badger and boar brushes.... Do you use the same cleaning techniques for boar ? Anything more or less than shown in this video ? Thanks !!!!

[@johnwachter6975]

Where can you buy glycerin. I've looked in pharmacy and department stores to no avail.

[@neil_hamel]

In the pharmacy section of Walmart they sell pure vegetable glycerin.

[@peterharrison8756]

Amazon

[@FenderFan1964]

neil hamel Thanks, Neil !

[@Tmanaz480]

This method worked great for my shaving brushes, but my pet badger wasn't happy at all.

[@geofatboy]

Some of the baddest animals on the planet!

[@nico27004]

do you dry your brush with a towel after every shave too?

[@GreetingsandSalutations4007]

I remember him mentioning it once in a video

[@Shanester66]

What type of conditioner are you using?

[@UnivegaSuperSport]

Not sure what he used, but I did some research and learned you should not use a conditioner that contains silicone. Silicone repels water and forms water-tight seals. You need the bristles/hairs of the brush to be able to absorb water. All I could find at the local Wal-mart was L'OREAL Eversleek reparative smoothing conditioner. It says "silicone-free" right on the front label. Not sure if alcohol in the mix affects anything.

[@FenderFan1964]

UnivegaSuperSport Thanks for the great info, much appreciated !

[@snapbackreef1905]

Where can you get glycerin?

[@kevinbell1785]

Health food stores have it.

[@nico27004]

what kind of conditioner do you use. its not like hair conditioner you use one your head hahaha?

[@bourbonbandit7481]

2 people actually shaved with the dish soap.

[@NitetimeReign]

Thank you for this laugh dude. I needed that. Haha 😂

[@hawkeye924]

P.S. I USED A BEARD CONDITIONER, CHEAPEST I COULD FIND.....

[@FenderFan1964]

HAWKEYE OFTHEEYE Any you can recommend (also beard shampoo) Hawkeye ?!

[@gotham23us]

I just realized I've been hanging my razor on the stand the wrong way

[@3daypriest]

Ahh, you bought the ‘Oxy’. Don’t fall for hype.

[@912alldaylong]

Man put Barbasol shaving cream with your hands on your face and shave with a Schick or Gillete Razor and avoid all this mess....

[@912alldaylong]

All that cleaning and been worry about bacteria/germs is umm, not a manly thing, KISS = Keep It Simple Silly.....