You may have the best intentions of keeping your electric razor as clean as possible, but if you’re running behind in the morning, there’s a good chance you’re just giving it a quick rinse after you shave rather than properly cleaning your razor. Cleaning your electric razor not only ensures the razor blades last as long as they should without becoming dull prematurely, but it’s also a critical aspect of proper hygiene to prevent skin infections.

Although you likely agree that cleaning a razor sounds like a good idea—and you might already be cleaning your razor to some degree—most of us never actually learn how to clean an electric razor, so we just assume we are doing it correctly. However, you may be surprised by the best cleaning practices for razor care and things you shouldn’t do. Keep reading to see how your current cleaning protocol stacks up to how the experts say you should clean your razor. Below, we teach you how to clean your electric razor in six easy steps to help you have the smoothest and safest shave.

Cleaning your razor helps keep the blades sharp and the gel strip smooth and lubricated. Razors blades that are not well cared for will wear out faster. More importantly, cleaning your razor is a matter of safety. Razors that aren’t thoroughly cleaned after use can accumulate dead skin cells and debris, which can harbor bacteria. If you cut yourself when shaving—which is all the more likely if your razor has gunk and buildup from not being properly cleaned—bacteria from the grime can enter your bloodstream and cause skin infections. Even if you rarely visibly cut yourself, shaving almost always causes microscopic cuts called razor bumps, which are open invitations for pathogenic microbes.

If you use an electric razor, you may be lucky enough to have one that comes with a sanitation and cleaning station, which cleans and dries the razor automatically so it’s ready to go for your next shave. That said, if you don’t have an automatic cleaning station for your electric razor, you’ll need to clean the blades or foils manually. Here’s how to do it:

If you dry shave, you’ll need to remove the top of the electric razor to expose the blades or foils. Most electric razors with rotary blades flip open, while clippers or those with foils often pop off. Use a razor brush or a soft small toothbrush to swipe out loose hairs. Try to avoid tapping the razor against anything to loosen the hairs, but if you need to, tap gently and on the body or plastic part of the razor, not near the blades.

If you shave with shaving cream or gel, you’ll need to rinse the razor to remove the gunk.

Replace the cutting block after you’ve removed most of the hairs.

Wet the blades and then add a few drops of dish detergent or antibacterial liquid soap to the blades.

Turn the razor and let the blades create a sudsy lather for 15 seconds. Add more water as necessary.

Run the razor blades under warm water to rinse away all the soap.

Turn off the razor, remove the head or cassette, and rinse it, be sure to get all sides and in between foils or blades.

Leave the razor disassembled to air dry completely in a well-ventilated space.

Cleaning a regular safety razor—even if it has disposable razor blade cartridges—is a necessary component of your shaving routine. Here’s how to clean your razor:

Though it’s common to be in a hurry while rushing through a morning shave before work, one of the key ways to prevent buildup between and around your razor blades is to rinse the blade or blades after every stroke. Rinsing after every stroke washes away the hair, shaving cream, and accumulated cells, which can prevent clogs around the blades. Rinse with very hot water by letting them run through the cartridge of blades from the back to the front. This will help any trapped hair and shaving products to clear from the razor. If you don’t want to keep the water running, you can use a basin or cup of clean hot water and vigorously swirl your razor between strokes.

After rinsing, shake off the excess before proceeding to the next stroke. Do not tap the razor blades against the side of the sink; though most people naturally do this, it can damage the blades and will cause the razor blades to wear out faster.

When you’re done with your shave, rinse the razor to clean out the hair. Then, disinfect the razor blades by soaking the head of the razor in a small dish of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) with a strength of at least 70. Distilled white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide are also viable options, though rubbing alcohol is preferable. Give it 30-60 seconds in the alcohol to help sterilize the blades, and then shake off the excess alcohol. If your razor is looking particularly grimy or the handle has gunk built up, you can actually soak the entire razor in a dish of rubbing alcohol for 5-10 minutes for a deep clean.

Allow your razor to air dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated space. Do not use a towel to dry your razor as this can damage the blades. Also, do not store your razor in a wet area like the sink or shower. This can cause the blades to rust and encourage mold and bacterial growth.

The Essential Guide for MenThe Manual is simple — we show men how to live a life that is more engaged. As our name implies, we offer a suite of expert guides on a wide range of topics, including fashion, food, drink, travel, and grooming. We don’t boss you around; we’re simply here to bring authenticity and understanding to all that enriches our lives as men on a daily basis.