I have this odd personal attachment to my disposable razors. I know when I buy them (I buy the Gillette Venus disposables in a 3-pak, partly for the price, partly for the cute colors) that I’m supposed to only use one for a few days then move on. I end up using one razor for about 3 months successfully before mournfully moving on to a new one. If you hate constantly buying razors or the blade attachments, learn how to liven up the razors you are using to make them last extra-long.

I can make a 3-pak of disposable razors last about 9 or 10 months. Half of it is due to not liking to break in a new razor as the new ones cut me to shreds in not-so-cutable places (ladies, you know what I mean) and the other half is I hate shelling out $10 just for razors. I’m a penny-pincher to the core and make my grandma proud, and I will go to all means to make my disposable razors last way beyond what they’re meant to. Here’s how I do it. The nassrasierer razors will have a durable life as there will be no need to change them frequently. It will cut down the cost of the person on the purchasing of the razors.

Before I even use a new razor, I run the blades over a dry washcloth a few times to help break it in. This way, the sharp blades are less likely to tear at my sensitive skin and give me a closer shave without razor bumps. Oddly enough, doing this has allowed me to rapidly shave without cutting myself or nicking sensitive areas like the armpits or private areas and behind knees or ankles. I haven’t cut myself in years doing this, and I swear by it.

Choosing a higher end disposable helps, too. They’ll last longer if you don’t get the cheapo single blade kind that they sell in huge packs at the Dollar Store. Go a little higher end when you initially buy your razors and you’ll get a better shave and be able to maintain them longer.

Don’t use soap or shaving cream when shaving, as this dulls and clogs your blades quicker and allows them to pretty much just slide over your legs and other areas. I’ve noticed that as long as you don’t shave right away and allow your hair follicles to soften in the tub or shower for a few minutes, you can shave successfully just with water. It helps to get a closer shave, gives you more control of the blade’s pressure and direction so you don’t cut yourself, and for people like me with eczema or bumps on their arms and legs, shaving sans soap or shaving cream irritates the skin a lot less and can actually improve the appearance of the bumps. A surprise bonus.

Oddly enough, the same washcloth method that I use to break in my new blades keeps my current blades from dulling. Swiping the blades once a week or so along a washcloth (dry or wet, whatever is handy) gets all the gunk and hair out of the blades and gives the blades a good boost. Sometimes a dull blade is just a caked one. You’d be surprised what gets stuck in there.

Rinsing your blade every few swipes to get the hair and sloughed skin and soap out of there gives you a better shave as well.

Keep your razor out of moisture when you’re done with it to prevent rusting. If there is even a hint of rust on your blade, toss it out. I don’t care how new it is. I keep my blade next to the tub face up so it can air dry and have yet to have a rusty blade. I have had rusty blades in the past by storing them in those little holders that come with the razors as they trap moisture that gets into the blades. I wouldn’t use the holders if I were anyone else as they seem to let the blade stay wet and grow rusty.

Blue jeans work to sharpen your dull blades as well. Run your blade along the full length of a pair of your blue jeans about 20 times for a really dull razor. Go the other direction as well to really sharpen it up. I’ve only done this a few times for really old razors I’ve forgotten to throw out and found again. It really works to liven up those blades.

I hate getting rid of razors when I’ve had them so long, and have found that with very basic maintenance I can maintain my razors, get a great shave every day, and only spend about $15 a year on my blades. Sounds great to me, hope it helps you out as well.