Second-Hand Brushes

[Vyn Venal]

I don't have any problem with animal hair. I'm relatively confident all of the manufacturers I'm likely to be buying brushes from will use some kind of process to sterilise hides or hair. In fact the anthrax scares happened before such processes were widely used.

Even if that weren't the case, there's some method in my madness. You're much more likely to catch diseases, as a general rule, from other animals of the same species. That's how diseases work.

That said, this is all rationalisation. I said above, I'm sure this is irrational on my part, and you happy brush-sharers are the normal ones.

 

[Bechet]

Isn't that why horsehair brushes disappeared around WW1?

I think there was a shortage of horses around that time.

They make fine brushes, btw, do horse hairs.

Edit: change 'fine' to 'good', for fear of misleading you.

 

[wayne_m]

It's most likely been soaked in hot water, swirled on a puck of soap or blob of cream and wiped around someone's mug for a few minutes.....I hardly think it'll have been used as a bog brush will it? Get it used, what's the worst that can happen?

 

[chris.hale]

I've had a couple of second hand brushes, I just give them a good wash and lather with soap and call it good. Even if the soap doesn't kill the cooties it should wash them down the sink.

 

[Nisse]

It would be interesting to read a scientific paper on the notion of icky vs actual health hazards from the use of pre loved razors, brushes, soaps...

 

[riverrun]

You could always dunk the brush in Barbicide solution for ten minutes at some point. That should kill off most nasties...

 

[Rufus]

What I do with new and used badger brushes is to wash them well with VP Leonhardy brush soap and then soak them in isopropyl alcohol, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser, depending what's on hand. I've also used MAC brush cleaner, but it's expensive.

 

[Uncle Bertie]

This might be handy too https://www.makeupgeek.com/makeup-basics/how-to-clean-your-makeup-brushes-like-a-pro/

 

[Vyn Venal]

It would be interesting to read a scientific paper on the notion of icky vs actual health hazards from the use of pre loved razors, brushes, soaps...

I'm sure the real risks would be minimal, but not none existent.

Herpes (HPV-1) can be transmitted by sharing cigarettes, eating utensils, lip-balm. Staphylococcus Aureous lives on the skin, and can survive on towels for weeks. A form of foliculitis called sycosis vulgaris was also known as "barbers itch" for obvious reasons. It depends on how much you want to think about these sorts of things.

Personally, I've already said, I tend towards the paranoid end of the spectrum...

Even so, I'd have no issue with using a razor that had been cleaned and sterilised properly.

 

[Gordy]

We use cutlery in restaurants and how many people's mouths has that been in? If such items are properly cleaned then there's no issue.
It's an interesting fact that the single dirtiest item we personally use is........a toothbrush! Every time you flush your toilet, you aerosolise faecal matter, some of which lands on your brush.
Mobile phones? Keyboards? All covered in more than we want to know but still we use them.
Wash your hands in a public toilet? What do you do next......open the door with your hand! Remember, there are "washers" and there are "walkers"!

 

[PhilD]

Did any of you guys start off this way, then gradually become more relaxed about the idea in the face of irresistible bargains, and the ever growing desire to have all of the things?

Yes, started out very OCD about brushes, but then bought a Semogue limited edition brush from a member. I couldn't face dunking the lovely cherrywood handle into aggressive chemicals so just gave it a few washes with hand soap before use. Still wouldn't use a S/H soft soap though unless it was in a tube.

 

[Vyn Venal]

We use cutlery in restaurants and how many people's mouths has that been in? If such items are properly cleaned then there's no issue.

Absolutely. That's why they're made out of materials that can be easily cleaned and sterilised.

I wouldn't be happy about sharing a wooded spoon in a restaurant, personally.

At the moment, I think I feel the same way about brushes.

Yes, started out very OCD about brushes, but then bought a Semogue limited edition brush from a member. I couldn't face dunking the lovely cherrywood handle into aggressive chemicals so just gave it a few washes with hand soap before use. Still wouldn't use a S/H soft soap though unless it was in a tube.

Maybe I'll go the same way.

 

[Nisse]

I am ok with razors but pass on brushes or soap based on a general icky lack of freshness feeling just like I would for example most definitely buy and wear a used Burberry coat but never in a million years a pair of used shoes even if Church Ryder Chukkas at bargain price

 

[Bogeyman]

And to think that primitive Man didn't use soap on his hands after taking a crap and then feasting on roasted mammal flesh.

 

[moodymick]

I think the way forward is to turn off your OCD and just give it a quick scrub up.

 

[Holyzeus]

I've said it before, i'll say it again, the majority of my brushes were s/hand. I haven't died yet and in fact since I started wet shaving my skin has never been so good.