Those who use disposable Gillette razor blades have to spend money to replace the cartridges once a week or more if they shave every day. A few simple methods of sharpening razor blades will give a prudent consumer many weeks of use from one cartridge. Choose the sharpening method that you like best, and then protect and maintain your sharpened blade by storing it in mineral oil.
Hold your razor in your right hand as you would for shaving and place it, blade down, on a pair of jeans. Firmly swipe it across the jeans in the opposite direction that you would when shaving. Do this 10 to 20 times in the same direction. Switch hands and run the blade across the jeans another 10 to 20 times in the opposite direction that you would when shaving. This method of switching hands allows the jeans to rub the blades two different ways and sharpen the blades.
Sharpen your razor blade with a leather strop as an alternate method or if your blade is really dull. Apply some green honing compound to the strop. Swipe the blade across the strop five times in the opposite direction that you would when shaving. Run the blade across a pair of blue jeans five times in the opposite direction that you would when shaving to clean off the green compound.
Use the matchbox striker to sharpen dull razor blades. Hold the blade with the dull side facing the striker. Rub it down the striker in a swift motion five to seven times both ways.
Invest in a nano particle pad, which are available online. The abrasive surface helps keep razor blades sharp. Run the razor blade across the pad a few times in each direction. Wipe off the blade to get rid of any of the pad's particles.
Dry your blade of all water using a blow dryer or by covering it with rubbing alcohol and then shaking it dry. Submerge the blade in a container of mineral oil. Oil repels dampness, which can cause your blade to rust. Rust can be very dangerous for your skin and wear down the blade's sharpness. Mineral oil prevents oxidation and thereby prolongs the life of the blade.