Nearly 5 million bacteria have been found on a single disposable wet razor handle in new laboratory research by Microban.
As comparisons, typical levels of bacteria on household objects include 50 colony forming units per square inch on a computer mouse, 214 on microwave oven buttons, 2,110 on a pet food bowl and 134,630 on a kitchen cloth.*
The testing was carried out by antibacterial technology specialist Microban Europe as part of an investigation into the amount of bacteria on wet shaving equipment.
It is accepted that the presence of bacteria such as Streptococci or Staphylococci can be a problem for both men and women following shaving on the face or body as they can lead to shaving rashes caused by bacterial infection.
A wide range of results were found in Microbans research with between 300 and 4.9 million CFUs on wet shave disposable razor handles and 220 and 160,000 on their non-disposable versions, as well as between 100 and 4.9 million on razor cartridges.
Paul McDonnell, managing director of Microban Europe, explains that wet shave razors were regularly exposed to bacteria and mold which, given conditions found in warm humid bathrooms, meant they could double in number in 20 minutes.
Because of heat and moisture, bathrooms are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria," McDonnell says. "While the results did cover a wide range, the fact that one of the swabs showed 4.9 million CFU on one of the razor blade handles underlines the potential problem. However, we have a range of antibacterial technologies that could be built into wet razors and blade cartridges at the point of manufacture that are highly effective at killing bacteria and which do not wash away or wear off.
*From tests by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.
Streamlined IFU Access Boosts Infection Control and Staff Efficiency
June 17th 2025A hospital-wide quality improvement project has transformed how staff access critical manufacturer instructions for use (IFUs), improving infection prevention compliance and saving time through a standardized, user-friendly digital system supported by unit-based training and interdepartmental collaboration.
Spring Into Safety: How Seasonal Deep Cleaning Strengthens Hospital Infection Control
June 13th 2025Rooted in ancient rituals of renewal, spring-cleaning has evolved from cultural tradition to a vital infection prevention strategy in modern hospitals—one that blends seasonal deep cleaning with advanced disinfection to reduce pathogens, improve air quality, and protect patients.
AHE Exchange Summit 2025 Brings EVS and Infection Prevention Experts Together in Columbus, Ohio
June 9th 2025The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is set to host its largest event of the year—Exchange Summit 2025—from June 8 to 11 in Columbus, Ohio. With over 600 environmental services (EVS) professionals expected to attend, this year’s conference focuses heavily on infection prevention, interdepartmental collaboration, and education that empowers frontline health care support leaders to improve patient safety and operational efficiency.
Far UV-C Light Shows Promise for Decontaminating Medical Equipment in Clinical Settings
June 4th 2025Manual cleaning gaps on shared hospital equipment can undermine infection control efforts. New research shows far UV-C light can serve as a safe, automated backup to reduce contamination in real-world clinical settings.