Cleaning solution for Braun stations getting expensive - alternatives?

B

Brandon in Brandon FL

New member
I've been using the official Braun cleaning solution cartridges for my Series 9 cleaning station and it's starting to add up cost-wise. A 4-pack is around $25 and each cartridge lasts me about a month with daily cleaning, so that's $75 a year just for cleaning solution.

I know some people make their own solution with water and isopropyl alcohol. Has anyone here tried that? Does it work as well as the official Braun stuff or does it mess up the station over time?

I've also seen generic third-party cartridges on Amazon for cheaper but the reviews are mixed. Some people say they work fine and others claim they leak or don't clean as well.

I don't want to damage my cleaning station by being cheap, but $75 a year for what's basically alcohol and soap seems excessive. Any recommendations for cost-effective alternatives that actually work?

Brandon
 
Hi Brandon: Like many, I only manually clean my shavers, though some prefer the cleaning stations. I find manually cleaning leaves no residue especially when you follow the manufacturer's manual. Some members here and some manufacturers recommend dishwashing liquid and water as it breaks down grease, residue, and rinses sparkling clean. But if you are considering continuing with the cleaning station, water and alcohol might be an option. Alcohol is part of most shaver cleaners. Before I lubricate my cutters and foil (on foil shavers), or cutters and combs (on rotary shavers), I use 91% alcohol often with a Q-tip, to clean the hard-to-get areas of the pieces (though you don't want to leave cotton residue on the pieces). I avoided buying the cleaning station when I got my Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra. Some people told me that debris can contaminate the solution, so it can get expensive to keep replacing it.

My recommendation would be to start out with the alcohol and water solution you mentioned for your station. If it does a satisfactory job, keep doing it and save money, BUT, you might have to add or apply lubricant to your shaver afterwards, as the water and alcohol don't have that. If that does not work, you could just try manually cleaning...which does take a little time, but does a job that I think many of us would say is superior to the cleaning stations. Good luck!
 
Sorry, I am a little late with this reply. Below is an excellent recipe for DIY cleaning solution that will work for Philips and Braun cleaning cartridges. Not sure if Panasonic pods are refillable since I have never owned one. I found this formula on the internet, so I cannot take credit for it.

DIY Cleaning Liquid​

The cleaning solution liquid consists of:

  • 30% IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol)
  • 70% distilled water
  • 1 drop of eucalyptus essential oil
  • 1 drop of mentha (peppermint) essential oil
  • 3 drops of shaving head lubricant oil (such as Wahl or Syprin)
  • 1-2 drops of blue food coloring to match the original liquid's color
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and pour the liquid into the cartridge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top