An automatic cleaning station can be the ultimate step toward a completely fuss-free shaving experience.
And in the case of most Braun electric shavers, the station is a necessary evil since the shaving heads (cassettes) can become difficult to clean manually.
The cleaning fluid in Braun’s clean & renew cartridges also lubricates the foils and blades of your shaver, prolonging their lifespan by reducing the friction and heat during use.
For these reasons a Braun cleaning station is genuinely useful in my opinion.
However, in order to enjoy your squeaky clean, citrus-scented shaver, you’ll have to constantly shell out your hard-earned money on new refills.
And Braun’s clean and renew cartridges can be pricey compared to the ones from the competition and also need to be replaced sooner than other detergent-based solutions.
In this post I’ll go over 3 actionable tips that will make your Braun cleaning cartridges last longer so you can save money and continue to enjoy your shaves.
Let’s get started!
1. Take out the cartridge and put the plastic cap back on once the cleaning process has ended.
Unlike other electric shaver brands that use detergent-based solutions, Braun’s cleaning fluid contains alcohol (ethanol or isopropanol).
Alcohol tends to evaporate a lot faster and while this can be an advantage as it takes less time for the shaving head to dry, it also means that the cleaning fluid inside the container will evaporate faster.
Luckily, this can be easily fixed.
After the completion of the cleaning cycle, pop open the station, carefully slide out the cartridge and firmly press the plastic cap back on, then store it in a safe place until your next shave.
Braun recommends removing the cartridge if you won’t be using the station for a long time, but I actually recommend you to do it every time if you want to get the most out of one cartridge.
Even if you use the station daily that’s still 24 hours in which some of the alcohol-based fluid will naturally evaporate.
So make sure not to throw away the plastic cap when you install a new cartridge.
2. Remove the bulk of hair strands from the shaving head before using the station.
The foils and blades of your Braun shaver are merged into a single piece called a cassette.
It has a very intricate inner part that makes cleaning fiddly and it’s almost impossible to get all the clippings and dirt out.
However, removing as much as you can prior to using the station will definitely help us achieve our goal of squeezing more cleaning cycles out of a cartridge.
Once you’ve finished shaving, remove the cassette and very gently tap it on the edge of your sink or counter-top.
You should only tap the plastic frame, never hit the foils as they can be damaged easily.
With the included brush you can also briefly clean the inner part of the cassette.
You can also use a can of compressed air if you have one around.
This step of removing the hairs is very important. Remember, we want to use the cleaning cartridge for as long as we can, so we don’t want the cleaning fluid overly contaminated with hair strands if we can prevent that.
It only takes a few seconds but it will make a big difference.
Note: Never use the cleaning station if your shaver is not free of any foam and soap residue. It should also be completely dry.
3. Use the cleaning station in conjunction with a quick manual cleaning.
One of the reasons why I consider Braun cleaning stations necessary is that in time hairs, dirt, skin cells and gunk will remain lodged inside the cassette with obvious implications for the hygiene of your shaver.
However, this will happen after months of use, so it’s perfectly fine to perform a few manual cleanings and use the station after every three shaving sessions for example.
I find this to be a great compromise and I can always use the station whenever I feel that my shaver needs a thorough cleaning.
I recommend using a bit of liquid soap and warm tap water for a more efficient manual cleaning, but that’s up to you.
Using only water or simply brushing the hairs are two quicker, but less effective methods.
Also, since soap removes any traces of lubrication from the blades, make sure to apply a drop of clipper oil or sewing machine oil on each foil.
This third step is of course optional and it’s for you to decide if and how often you’re willing to skip the automated cleaning process and clean the shaver yourself.
I personally use my station once every three to four shaves and so far it’s been working great.
How long can you expect a Braun CCR cartridge to last?
Well, that really depends on how often you use the cleaning station, but if you follow the above steps you should easily expect three to five months for one Braun CCR refill.
Now, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Braun officially recommends replacing the cleaning cartridge after two months once it has been opened and used (to maintain optimal hygiene).
I personally have used the same cartridge for more than 5 months without any issues. Truth be told, I do have quite a few electric shavers in my rotation so I haven’t used the station as often as most users will.
As long as the cleaning fluid is not overly contaminated with hairs and dirt to the extent of clogging the filter inside the cartridge and there are no buildups or funky smells, you should be good.
As soon as you notice any of these it’s time to ditch the cartridge and get a new one. Speaking of which, buying your Braun refills in bulk seems like a good idea since the price per cartridge is more reasonable.
There’s also the option of cheaper third-party refills or making your own Braun cleaning solution for significantly less money, but that’s a different topic that I’ll cover in great detail in a future post (I will update this one once it’s live).
Disclaimer: shavercheck.com and the author of this post are not responsible in any way for any damage caused to your shaver by improper use. Always follow the instructions from your user’s manual.
Do you using a bit of liquid soap and warm tap water when the shaver on
Hi Damian,
Yes, I always use a bit of liquid soap and warm tap water when doing a manual cleaning. You can turn the shaver on so that the soap will lather nicely. The procedure is described in detail in your shaver’s user manual.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My Braun is around 3 years old, I use the clean and charge station once a week. I always clean it first with a brush and for the cartridge a brush and then a tap or 2 on a hard surface, foil side up, then a good blow through it.
However I just discovered an amazing cleaning trick. I decided to completely flatten the battery before charging ( a good thing to do once a year). I removed the cassette first to save wear on the cutters. I then placed the shaver less cassette on its back (non button side) in the sink and just let it run. I came back 15mins later to find a sizeable pile of crud (a mix of fine shaved hairs and skin oil that was partly green -lovely!) underneath the shaver. More than one teaspoon full of this stuff.
The shaver now seems to shave for longer on a charge.
Hi Roger,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, those are really useful tips.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
completely flattening the battery is for NiMh nickle metal hydride batterys to prevent memory effect. For Lithium batterys they have no memory effect so competely flattening them is not necessary and actually is unecessary wear. see
battery university
Never discharge a lithium-ion battery completely. Best practice is 20% lowest and 90% highest for longest use. If you’ve got a traditional battery, once a year completely discharging works great.
Can I remove cartridge (and shaver) from the station immediately from the station once the cleaning cycle finishes. I want to save solution evaporation while the shaver is drying in the station.
Thank you
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
Absolutely, you can do that. If you own a station that also blow-dries the shaving head (like the one that comes with the Series 9), you can simply press the station’s ON/OFF button to stop the process and then remove the cartridge and the shaver. I recommend leaving the shaver with the cassette removed to air-dry overnight.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This is excellent! I’m stationed abroad and ordering becomes a bit of a hassle. Thanks, heaps, for the longevity tips.
When do you plan to hit us with your “make your own solution” post?
I’m anxiously waiting.
Hi Bill,
Thank you for the kind words, greatly appreciated!
I am still trying different things/ingredients to see what works best. I want to test the solutions for at least a couple of months before posting the article, so it will take a while.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Walmart has isopropyl alcohol 50% and witch hazel (green) for about $2.00.
try to get 70% idopropyl alcohol , thats what the origianals have add a few drops of machine oil. 70% works as a sterilizing agent.
I have recently retired my 5 series Braun razor after many years of trouble free service and have now replaced it with a 9 series Braun.
I was a little disappointed with charger not having a coiled power lead which seems a little below Braun standards, I would like to use the charging unit from my old 5 series which has a coiled power lead, my question, is it compatible with the 9 series razor.
Regards
JohnD
Hi John,
The answer is yes, you can use the coiled cord with your Series 9. Braun switched to the flat cords some time ago and the coiled ones were discontinued.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I just bought my Series 7 and got the coiled cord. Bought from Kohls. How long was the coil discontinued? How do I get the straight cord?
George
It was discontinued a few years ago, but it’s still shipped with some of the current shavers. So you can get either a coiled or a straight cord. I replied to your comment here with more details on the cord type.
I do not like the coiled cord. When the a/c outlet is farther from where I place the charger than the length of the coil, it tends to pull the charger/razor from where I have placed it.
I much prefer the old uncoiled cord.
George
Actually, the coiled cord is the old one. Braun gradually replaced it with the flat cord some years ago, but the coiled cord is still shipped with some of the newer shavers, including the Series 9 and 7. For example, I bought one of the new 78xx Series 7 and it came with a coiled cord. You can buy of course a Braun flat cord, it’s the type 492-XXXX (100-240V input, 12V/400mA output).
Hey Nicolae, would like to ask for recommendation on where to shop for a back up Braun flat / coil cord? If so do you mind to share the link with me? Thanks in advance.
Hi Vincent,
The coiled ones have been discontinued, so they aren’t as easy to find. Here’s an amazon link with the charger, it’s compatible with pretty much any Braun shaver. You can also buy a simple plug adapter and use it in any 100-240v outlet.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Nicolae for the Amazon link. Upon checking the description, couldn’t found the name of 9477/9465 on the compatibility list. Would like to get assurance from Nicolae prior making the order. TQ
No problem, Vincent. Yes, it will work with the Series 9 Pro as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Actually one more question, recently my clean and charge station seems to spill a bit on the side pane during cleaning, but only spilled drops. Upon checking no clogging issue, have you encounter such issue?
Hi Vincent,
If there are only a couple of drops, I don’t think there’s necessarily something wrong. Nevertheless, you should check that the rubber gasket that surrounds the intake tube is in place (more details in this guide).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My charge station is faulty! after running a cleaning circle, liquid stays up, the shaver head stays wet, the only way to get rid of the water i have to unplug the charge station.
I changed the cartridges and still the same fault.
Regards
Sam
I had the same problem and it was caused by gunk blocking the drainage tube. Remove the visible gunk and then let hot water remove the rest until it free flows. If that doesn’t solve the issue, you need to do some disassembling for further cleaning (eg, https://www.slideshare.net/OrganekLiving/drain-clearing-for-braun-clean-renew-bases).
Great tips and content by all. I follow many of the suggestions presented here. Whenever I change the cleaning fluid cartridge, I give the whole station a good cleaning. Unplugged of course. In the sink or even under the more powerful shower head. A bit of soap and a good rinsing.
Then the new cartridge gets a nice clean home station.
I have just bought a Series 7 (10 days back) and all was good, excellent shave and the charger worked as supposed to then – charger would only work after plugging and unplugging the cord a few times and the cassette was always wet. After looking on the internet for problem solving I cleaned the drain holes etc, still no better. O further investigation I found that the holes which the the charging “prongs” fit into when the razor is in the charger – one had the metal sleeve bent back, I must have inserted the razor incorrectly or forced it in or out. Straightened it carefully and now it works properly again.
Hope this may be of use to someone.
Thank you for taking the time to share this, Michael.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Sam;
This is a common problem when the Charge & Clean stations have been used for a while. There’s a tiny drain hole and this becomes blocked with a mix of oily skin residue beard clippings,
Use a wooden tooth pick to clear the clogged drainage hole, taking care not to let it fall into the base of the unit. Then rinse it through with some warm tap water and all should be well. This tip is now included in the Troubleshooting section of the user manuals.
Kindest regards,
John
Hi, appreciate the information here.
I just got off the phone with a Braun service centre because I felt my Series 9 cleaning station was prematurely asking to clean the shaver (it usually skipped the Economical program, & went straight to the Normal/High program, even after less than 20 minutes of use). It felt like my older series 5 lasted longer in comparison.
They suggested I bring the shaver in to be looked at, but after reading this page, I feel there’s nothing to concern myself with.
I’ll follow your tips above & hopefully get more mileage out of the cleaning fluid.
I do have one question – is there a way to ‘reset’ the counter for the cleaning station? I ask because my current fluid can’t be used any longer as the red indicator is telling me to replace it, despite me not getting much use out of it.
Could it be that the level of fluid is triggering the red indicator ie. too much fluid has evaporated?
Hi Ralfi,
Thank you for your comment. That is actually a very common issue with the Series 9 cleaning station, it almost always selects the High-intensity program. I own two Series 9 and I am yet to see the station selecting the Short or Normal setting, even after a 5 minute shaving session. However, you shouldn’t worry too much about it since there’s only a minor difference between the three modes with regards to actually saving cleaning fluid.
You cannot reset the station as it will always evaluate the fluid level and electric conductivity of the cartridge that’s inside the station. Based on that information, it will signal you to replace the cartridge. You may want to check out a third-party cleaning solution as they are much cheaper.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey Ovidiu,
Thanks for the third party recommendation. Unfortunately the seller doesn’t ship to Australia, so I may need to hunt around for one that does.
Good information though. Thanks
I purchased Braun Series 5 5140S Wet and Dry .
After reading this awesome website, I would like to use a cleaning station with it. I can’t seem to find any online to purchase. Can I not buy a cleaning station for this?
Thanks
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your comment. Series 5 cleaning stations are available online on sites like encompass.com or ebay, however your 5140S will not work with a cleaning station. That’s because Braun doesn’t fit Series 5 solo models (the ones ending in S like 5140s, 5030s etc.) with a special chip needed to communicate with the station. So if a Series 5 razor didn’t originally come with a cleaning station, it won’t work with one purchased later on.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I just purchased a Braun 9295cc and the power cord is coiled.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the comment, I’ve heard that some of the newer shavers still come with the old coiled cord, but there’s no way of telling which ones until you actually open the package.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Do you know why the shaver needs to be dry before running it through the cleaning station?
Is damp ok?
The reason I ask is I wanted to pre-clean first but then had to wait and wait for it to dry before running it through the cleaning station. Would be nice to just blow it out so its only damp after rinsing it in the sink then place it directly in the cleaning station?
Hi Bob,
That dry part mainly refers to the shaver being free of any soap, lather and so on that can clog the station. However, excessive water (that ends up in the cartridge) may interfere with the electrical conductivity of the cleaning fluid which can lead to the station signaling a low cartridge level. A little damp would be fine I guess, so you can shake off the excess water, then gently pat it with a towel or a paper tissue before running it through an automatic cleaning cycle. The part around the metal contacts must be completely dry (for obvious reasons), so make sure to take all the necessary precautions.
I personally don’t bother with a pre-cleaning so I just tap the cassette and shaver on the sink to remove most of the hairs.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Have you come up with a cleaning solution yet? Thank You
Hey John,
Not yet — just haven’t managed to get to it as I’ve been extremely busy. But it will come (hopefully a video as well).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My Baum Clean and Renew 5651 for my Series 5 8985 has developed a problem in that when I start the cleaning process, it will continue to run until all cleaning fluid is used. The Auto-off function for the cleaning portion appears to have failed. Cant locate any troubleshooting/DIY for this issue. The charging function still works as advertised. Apparently Baum no longer makes this model of cleaner/charger and I can’t find what new model. Two questions, 1) is there a newer model Clean and Renew that is compatible with my 8985 or 2) How long is the cleaning cycle? I can do it manually.
No, the newer stations are not compatible with the 8985. Your only options would be to try sourcing the 5651 cleaning station from sites like ebay or simply get a new Series 5 cc shaver (like the 5190cc). The cleaning cycle on those lasts approximately 3 minutes, sometimes even less (depending on the hygiene status of the shaver).
Thanks! That’s what I expected. I’ll try manually timing the cycle for a while, if needed replace the shaver.
Hi Ovidiu,
After reading your reviews I finally decided to buy the Braun Series 9 (9290cc) with clean station. Here in AU / NZ (this is not a product endorsement – https://bit.ly/2QFWTzz) I use this product after I rinse with warm water for daily use and then I use the clean station once a week. I find the spray can works better for daily use as it has the lube / alcohol to clean the shave head and at the price it’s sold, is cost efffective on daily maintenance.
Hi Tushal,
Thank you for your comment. I also use a similar cleaning routine with my Series 9 and 7. Haven’t tried that particular brand (I doubt I can find it in Europe), but it looks like a really good product.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
You’re quite right, Ovidiu; the Barber Shop Shaver Guard spray is made in Australia and is not readily available in Europe. Importing it is prohibitively expensive.
However, Braun ‘Shaver Cleaner’ is available in 100ml aerosol cans and pretty much does the same job as the Shaver Guard spray. It is available fragrance-free but also in ‘Lemon Fresh’ which has the same aroma as in the CCR cleaning cassettes. In the UK, it costs around £7.45 per 100ml aerosol.
Similar products are available from other shaver manufacturers, e.g.; Philips HQ110 Shaving Head Cleaning Spray is alcohol-based. It cleans and lubricates the shaver cassette components and has a ‘Cool Breeze’ aroma. It’s generally available for around £6.00 for a 100ml canister.
German company, Collo, also offer the excellent ‘Scherkopf bad Sprüh’ (literal translation is ‘shaverhead bath spray’) which many barbers use for cleaning, disinfecting and lubricating shaver and clipper heads, and scissors. It costs around £7.00 for a 100ml cannister but shipping costs mean you’d be better to source it from your barber or Hairdressing Supplies centre.
For those in America then Hampton Manufacturing’s ‘H-42 Clean Clippers’ blade cleaner is available in both spray-bottle and liquid form (in a jar). It cleans, disinfects (including viruses such as HIV) and lubricates shaver and clipper heads, scissors, razor and cut-throat blades. The glass jar version is great for soaking items in (similar to Barbicide in the UK) whilst the spray can easily be used like the Braun and Philips products, above. It costs around US$7.00 for an 8oz jar. An 8oz spray bottle of H-42 Clean Clippers costs around $10.00 but thereafter can be refilled from the jars. Alternatively, you may buy the jar and use your own prefered spray-bottle.
Often overlooked, but used world-wide by barbers and in hospitals is Barbicide. This solution has been around since just after WWII. It cleans, disinfects and lubricates and is safe on metals and plastics. Not only does it destroy bacteria and viruses (including HIV), it also inhibits the growth of funguses. It’s very cost-effective for the professional or home-user as the concentrate is available in 2oz, pint, ½ gallon and gallon (60ml [bullets], 473ml and 1.89 litre) containers and merely diluted for use. It can be used in jars for soaking cutter-heads, scissors and combs, or you can put it into your own spray-bottle. For those who prefer to spray, more recently, Barbicide have made available their own 64 Fl.Oz spray-bottle with six 20z (60ml) ‘bullets’, one of which is put into the bottle then diluted with water. Not only can this be used to clean, disinfect and lubricate cutters etc but also used on hard and soft surfaces and for cleaning shaving-soap dishes etc. This is a tried and tested product used by barbers and healthcare professionals around the world for over 70 years. A 473ml (16 Fl Oz) bottle of Barbicide concentrate costs around £7.80.
Kindest regards,
John
John, those are some fantastic suggestions. Thank you for taking the time to share them in the comments, I really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Have you ever used a can of compresses air to blow out and clean the cassette on a Series 9? It seems it would be more effective than just blowing on it to get out those stubborn hair pieces.
Also, when you manually clean with liquid soap and water, do you fill the sink up a bit with water, add a little liquid soap and then immerse the head of the shaver in the solution and run it for a bit? Or do you just add the liquid soap on top of the foils then run it under running water until the soap is gone?
Compressed air would clearly work better than just blowing on the cassette, so if you have a can around definitely give it a go.
As for the manual cleaning, this is my process: I add a few drops of water on the foils, then pour a bit of liquid soap on them. I turn on the shaver and let it run for around 20 seconds so the soap can lather nicely. I add more water if needed. After that, with the shaver still turned on, I rinse it under running warm water. I turn it off, remove the cassette, then rinse it thoroughly, both the outside and the inner part.
For the shavers that don’t come with a cleaning station (particularly the ones from Panasonic), every 3 to 6 months I use something similar to your method described above. I fill a small container with warm water (the sink is way too large for this), then pour some dish detergent in it to make a soapy solution. I then put the foils and cutters in there and just let them soak for up to one hour. This is very effective for removing some hardened dirt and lather (I use shaving cream with most of my Panasonic shavers). Since most of my Braun shavers also have a cleaning station, I haven’t cleaned them in this manner, but it should work despite the enclosed design of the cassette.
Question for those in the know. I just bought a 9265cc and everything i shave (not a lot of hair in my face) the shaver of course want‘s to get cleaned and the cleaning station always wants to do the high performance (3 droplets) cleaning program. I was assuming with that bit of shaving i do (done in a minute or 2) it would choose another program once in a while.
Is that normal? Is there a firmware upgrade that i might need to go through?
Cheers
Frank
Hi Frank,
That’s actually what all Series 9 stations do, so there’s nothing wrong with your unit. The station always assumes that the shaver needs a thorough cleaning even after a very short shaving session. However, the differences between the three cleaning modes are negligible (even the high-intensity one lasts under 3 minutes), so you shouldn’t worry about it at all.
Firmware updates can only be carried out in Braun service centers, but I doubt this issue is considered a problem that needs to be fixed.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you. I was assuming the high intensity one is going to empty the cartridge much faster than the other ones (and the scheme is just there to sell more cartridges). In that case i just ignore the “cleaning hint” and clean the shaver once a week using the station.
You are very welcome, Frank. The differences between the three modes are negligible with regards to how much cleaning fluid you’ll be saving. So there’s really nothing to worry about. 🙂
Hi!.
I’m Iván from Chile!..
I have the same issue.. My Series 9 show de indicator asking for a cleaning after only few minutes of use..even if the machine is only power on without performing a reall shaving.
I need to know if this is a problem?. It’s not a cleaning station issue, because is the Shaver indicator.
My shaver is new, and if there is a problem I gonna need to go to the shop to change it
Thanks!
https://shaverfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Braun-Series-9-Electric-Shaver-cleaning-indicator-on-display-screen.jpg
Hi Ivan,
I wouldn’t worry too much about it. The hygiene indicator on the Series 9 doesn’t really measure how dirty the shaver is; it only accounts for how long it has been turned on since the last automatic cleaning, regardless if you’re shaving or simply turn it on and let it run. Mine also shows the cleaning indicator pretty quickly and I simply ignore it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Great articles. You helped me decide on a Braun Series 7-sensitive skin and some flat neck hairs. I shave dry. Is one able to perform a manual clean with soap and water on the 790cc model? Or would the 7865cc wet/dry be required for this cleaning task?
Thanks,
Gene
Hi Gene,
Thank you for your comment, I’m glad you found the information useful. The answer is yes, you can definitely clean the 790cc with water and soap. Despite being marketed as a dry only shaver, it is in fact waterproof, so a manual clean is perfectly safe.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a series 7 shaver with the cleaning station. I am considering purchasing a new series 9 – the one without the cleaning station. Will the series 7 cleaning station work with the series 9 shaver
No, the Series 7 station will not work with a Series 9 shaver. In fact, not even a Series 9 station will work with a Series 9 solo shaver (one that didn’t originally come with a cleaning station).
Where Will all the hair go in the docking station¿ do we need to clean dock station as well¿
The hair will be collected inside the cartridge, not in the station itself. You should only clean the drain hole of the station if it gets clogged with dirt.
I cannot find any advice on how to dispose of the used cleaner cartridge, should it be emptied into the toilet before plastic recycling? should I wear oven cleaning gloves in case the flammable, toxic, acid splashed onto my hands, lol
The cleaning cartridge can be disposed of with regular household waste.
I’ve been using a new Braun 799cc-7 for the past couple months for dry shaving, on average every two days, cleaning it manually under running water after each shave but only running the cleaning station once every 3 shaves.
The problem I have is that even a couple of days after manually cleaning it, the shaver head is still not completely dry and this obviously interferes with my dry shaving routine. I “shake” it well after the clean to get rid of water droplets but I guess it’s not enough.
So, anyone else here who shaves dry and manually cleans the shaver, can share insight on how to get it completely dry in time for the next shave?
Thanks!
Hi,
The shaving head should be completely dry the next day, so there’s something definitely going on that causes this. After washing the head, shake off excess water, gently pat the head with a clean towel and let it air dry foil side up on a paper tissue. Do not store it in a cabinet and, most importantly, do not put the head back on the shaver as this will absolutely interfere with how fast the moisture will evaporate. If you follow these couple of steps I guarantee you that you’ll have a perfectly dry shaver the next day. 🙂
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I felt I was beginning to spend a lot in cleaning cartridges and so there are some great tips on this site, particularly putting the cap back on the cartridge after use, makes perfect sense. Also only using the cleaning station once every three shaves or so, (instead of every day as I have been, in accordance with the guide lines set by Braun) is another good tip. Thank you so much. Having said all that I am new to braun, I bought one of the 9 series about two years ago and the shaving experience is excellent giving a really close shave. Hope I do not sound too geeky!
Hi Nicholas,
Thank you for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it. Glad to hear you found the information useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I read about a “cap back on the cartridge.” What is this cap? My Series 7 came with no cap. I also see a picture of what looks like an oil bottle placing a drop of oil on a finger tip. The finger then places the oil on the cutter head. My razor came with no oil???
George
It’s the cap of the refill cartridge (the one you remove before inserting the cartridge into the station). Only certain Series 7 models come with a small bottle of lubricant.
I have Braun 3 with cleaning system.I would like to replace with a Braun 7.Will a 7 work in the 3 cleaner?
No, it will certainly not work.
I initially liked the idea of removing and resealing the cartridge after each use, but after opening and closing its compartment a few times I’m getting a very strong feeling that the mechanism is not particularly robust and is likely to break with repeated use for which it was not designed.
Have you got any experience in this respect?
Thanks.
Hi,
Haven’t had one failing so far and I’ve used them for years but that is indeed a legit concern. One thing that I am particularly careful about is not letting the station pop open at full speed, I simply put my hand above it and dampen the movement (hope this makes sense). I use mine once every week or two, so overall it’s not too much. If you’re still worried that it would break, you could use one of the cheap third-party cleaning solutions and simply leave the cartridge inside. Even if it evaporates faster, it won’t be such a big deal since they are a lot cheaper than the original refills.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks, Ovidiu.
Damping the movement indeed makes sense, but my real concern is about the locking mechanism; I simply can’t convince myself that it sounds even the least bit durable.
What I’ll do is either plug the docking slot with polyurethane foam or cover the entire station with a plastic bag between uses to minimize evaporation, see how fast the solution evaporates under those conditions, and take it from there.
GREAT website, by the way.
Just wanted to say thanks for all the great info. Your shaving knowledge is off the charts, a Jedi shaver for sure. Great work!
You are way too kind, Joe. Glad you found the information useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I am a new Braun user. What is your opinion about using the following method for economical cleaning? Remove the cassette. tap it a few times and use the brush to remove visible hairs, put the cassette back on and run the saver top down in the alcohol solution. Let it dry and spray with an aerosol lubricant (like Remington’s -also cheap). It seems to be his would be the same thing the cleaning system does.
Hi Barry,
Thank you for your comment.
That could definitely work, but with a few caveats, mostly for practical reasons. Adding water and alcohol to a pan, then storing the solution in an airtight container for the next use, cleaning the pan and so on just seems like a bit of hassle, at least for me. But again, it would work, particularly if you also use a spray lubricant.
The cleaning station with the reusable containers just makes everything so much easier and practical. Also, the cartridge has a fine mesh filter, so the solution that is pumped through the shaving head is free of any hairs and gunk. Running the shaver with the head submerged in a solution that already contains hairs and dirt from the previous cleaning is perhaps not ideal. I assumed that you will be reusing the alcohol solution, otherwise it wouldn’t be very economical.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Clarification in above comment. Put some alcohol in a pan, enough to cover the cassette.
I have a new Braun CCR3 shaver, I would like your opinion whether the refill cartridges are all the same, meaning would a CCR5 fit my CCR3?
Hi Robert,
All Braun cleaning stations use the same refill cartridges. CCR3 only means a 3 pack, while CCR5 a 5 pack. The cartridges themselves are exactly the same.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello, I plan on using my braun series 7 790cc every other week so what I’m asking is should I clean it after every time I use it?
Hello,
You don’t have to clean it (using the station) after every use. As I mentioned in the article, you can simply clean it manually after a few shaves and only use the station for a more thorough cleaning. I personally clean mine with the station after 3 or 4 shaves. In the meantime, I just wash it with tap water and some liquid soap.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Nicolau,
Wonderful useful page.
Is there a way to use the Braun series 9 cleaning station without charging the shaver?
I think charging the battery too often will reduce its life and cycles per charge.
What do you recommend?
Sorry for your name misspelling
Hi Jacob,
I personally wouldn’t worry too much about this — with modern Li-ion batteries (and charge controllers), that’s not an issue anymore. In fact, some manufacturers (for example, Panasonic) will even state explicitly to charge your shaver often. A partial charge is only a partial charge, it won’t count as a complete charging cycle. For example, whether you charge the shaver twice from 0 to 50% or a single time from 0 to 100%, that’s one charging cycle in both cases.
And even so, the station will not charge the shaver during the cleaning and drying cycles. It will only charge it when you place the razor into position (before pressing the start button) and after the drying ends. So you can simply start the cleaning right away and then remove the shaver once the drying ends if you’re still worried.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
A question re self cleaning: am I mean to release the cassette before inserting the shaver into the self cleaner? I dont find the manual instructions clear on this point.
No, the cassette must not be removed from the shaver. Just make sure that if you have a shaver with a head locking switch (like the Series 5, 7, 8 or 9), the switch must be in the unclocked position (that is the head can move freely up and down).
Ovidiu
An excellent guide.
A quick question, I have a 7898cc and I am going on holiday for 10 days and I do not want to take the cleaning station. When I use the shaver for more than a few days, cleaning with warm water and liquid soap, the hygiene bars disappear and the shaver won’t start.
Is there anyway to overcome this?
Hi Steve,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
That’s a very strange issue — I’ve had quite a few Series 7 cc models throughout the years and I’ve never encountered anything similar. What I can tell you with certainty is that the shaver should still operate normally even when all the hygiene segments are gone. You should be able to use it without ever cleaning it in the station. So if your shaver refuses to turn on when the hygiene bars disappear, but then it gets back to life once you run it through an automatic cleaning cycle, I think there’s something wrong with the shaver. I couldn’t tell you precisely what, maybe something related to the electronics that handle the pairing with the station. But again, the shaver should work perfectly fine even if you never clean it in the cc station.
If your product is still under warranty, I would get in touch with a Braun service center. Taking the station with you is a hassle and if you travel by airplane, the alcohol solution in the cartridge could be a problem too.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I was deliberating for a while on whether to buy Panasonic Arc 5 or Braun Series 9. I finally ended up buying the Braun Series 9 – 9290CC Shaver, a few days ago, during my recent visit to Dubai.
Reading your reviews and answers helped me decide on Braun Series 9.
I have just used it about four times so far.
As the shaver is showing a droplet indicator during each shave, I have been placing it in the Cleaning Station every time after shave. But at this rate. The CCR Cartridge may not last longer as expected.
On Amazon India, Isopropyl Alcohol 70% with Wintergreen Oil – One liter container is available. Please suggest if I should use this in the CCR Cartridge or I should purchase the original replacement cartridges from Braun. These are pretty expensive in India and they won’t ship to India from Amazon UK or Amazon US.
Thanks for your suggestion.
— Mouli
Hi Mouli,
Thank you for your comment. You will definitely go through a cartridge pretty quickly at that rate. I personally just ignore the droplet — you absolutely don’t have to use the station after every shave.
Regarding the use of Alcohol & Wintergreen oil solution, it’s very likely that the station will show a false empty cartridge warning and you won’t be able to start a cleaning cycle. There’s no official info available, but it is thought that the electric conductivity of the fluid causes this. So you’ll either have to get the Braun refills (and those are indeed pricey outside the USA), try to make your own solution from scratch (which can be tricky) or, better yet, you could use a third-party solution made specifically for Braun stations.
It’s a lot cheaper, it works great and the seller also ships overseas. You can check out my article here for more details.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thank you for your quick response.
I have just ordered two packs of the solution. Depending on when they will arrive, I will order Isopropyl Alcohol from Amazon India. As a back up, I will also order a small quantity of Original CCR Cartridges.
I appreciate if you could let me know how to clean the Series 9 – 9290CC manually using liquid soap. Or direct me to the page, if you have already posted these details.
Regards,
— Mouli P C
Hi Mouli,
You are very welcome, glad I could help. I’ve actually written a detailed guide on how to clean a shaver manually, you can check it out at this link.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks a lot Ovidiu,
That was really very useful information.
Finally, I have one basic question. Is Braun Series 9 – 9290CC fully water proof shaver? Can I completely and safely rinse it in water? Can the inner side of razor head after removing the cutting block (in other words cutting block housing) be washed with water or do I just brush it out with the tiny brush that came with the system.
Thank you very much for your response.
No problem, Mouli. Absolutely, it is fully waterproof and you can rinse all the parts of the shaver without any worries, including the inner part of the head after removing the cassette.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks a lot for your input and guidance.
I have been using my new Braun Series 9 9290CC Electric Shaver for around two months and am very happy with the performance. Not once I thought of using my conventional manual gillette razor.
I have used the shaver for a week with only manual cleaning, ignoring the water droplet indicator, without charging so that the battery is discharged fully. Then I had put the shaver in the cleaning station for cleaning and charging. This I plan to do once in a month – please advise.
Every day I use dry mode and once a week I use it in wet mode with shaving gel. I felt in wet mode I get a closer shave than in dry mode which I felt is basically due to the reduced friction. However, the performance is satisfactory in both modes.
I do manual cleaning for two to three days before putting the shaver in the cleaning station.
Please let me know if I am doing it right.
I have also ordered and received two CCR Refills, will order isopropyl alcohol and experiment with the cleaning solution.
Thank you once again.
Hi Mouli,
You are very welcome.
Glad you’re enjoying your Series 9.
Discharging the shaver completely once a month is not entirely necessary; in fact, most manufacturers say that once every 6 months should suffice. Modern Li-ion batteries don’t require the same care and maintenance as the older generations. Also, I would avoid going to the extreme and discharge the shaver until it doesn’t even start anymore — the battery volume actually changes depending on how much charge it holds, so avoiding the extremes will minimize the mechanical stress.
Cleaning the shaver manually for two to three days before using the station should work perfectly. After you clean it manually with water and soap (which I assume it’s the case at least after shaving with gel), I would also lubricate the blades. Soap removes any lubricants so if you won’t be cleaning the shaver in the station next, I would use some light oil or a spray lubricant for electric shavers. But again, this is only necessary if you’ll shave again after a manual cleaning that involves the use of soap. Hope this makes sense.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’ve had a Braun Series 7 for a few years and like it very much. But, it seems to have learned a new “trick”. The level of cleaner fluid in the cartridge is visibly low, but the level indicator lights on the charging station have been mostly yellow, sometimes even green, for more weeks than I would expect. After this long, and with the low level, I would expect to see the red level indicator light. I suspect there is some sort of cleaner fluid level sensor that is not working properly, but I’m unable to identify where that might be. Has anyone else had this happen? I probably need to replace the cartridge in the short term, but for the long term, I need the charger to indicate accurately how much fluid is left. I thoroughly cleaned the hole by which fluid drains from the shaver back into the cartridge during the cleaning cycle (using a large paper clip “unwound”, but leaving a bit of a handle), but that made no difference.
Thanks for the comment, Dean. I personally haven’t had this issue with any of my Braun stations. If anyone has any knowledge of how exactly does the station read the fluid level, we’ll greatly appreciate it.
–Ovidiu
How to change the program of the clean and scharge station
You cannot change it, the station will automatically select the program if it’s fitted with this feature. Some older (and discontinued) Series 7 had a very short clean mode that allowed you to select a quick clean (without drying).
–Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Many thanks for the useful info. I have the clean & charge station that came with the Braun Series 9 (9390) shaver. Should the drying cycle turn off automatically, as mine carries on continuously?
Many thanks,
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your comment. Yes, the fan should stop after approximately 40 minutes. Does the drying cycle on your Series 9 last more than one hour? You could also stop it by pressing the button on the station once, but this shouldn’t be necessary. I at least never had this problem with any of my Series 9 stations.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
I’m thrilled to find your site because I just received a Series 7 with CCR as a gift and I have not used an electric shaver in over 15 years (and that was a three head Philips).
I’ve used it a few times now and I definitely don’t like a dry shave because it seems to drag on my skin too much. So I’m trying out three pre-shave lubricants (Lectric, Afta lotion, Remington Powder Stick), but I’m concerned how they will react with the Cleaning station.
Call me lazy and spoiled, but I don’t want to have to go through all the manual cleaning process and I don’t want the drying parts sitting around. I just want to put it in the charger each day and hit the cleaner start button every second or third day.
What say you? Do the pre-shaves need to be manually cleaned before I use the CCR? In particular, I’m really interested in the Powder Stick because in my first round of testing, I seemed to like it the best. The Lectric and Afta are alcohol based and are pretty thin, so I’m thinking I could get away with them. But the Powder Stick seems like it might gum up a little more. Thoughts?
Thanks for the website and all your insight!
Warm regards,
Erech (in Atlanta, GA, USA)
Hi Erech,
Thank you for your comment.
Using a pre-shave is the easiest way to improve the results of a dry shave, so I think you made the right call. Alcohol-based pre-shave lotions/gels like Lectric Shave or Afta will evaporate within seconds after applying, so there’s really nothing to worry about. I personally found the Afta gel to gunk up, so I stopped using it. I also wasn’t too fond of the fragrance.
As you mentioned, the Powder Stick could be a problem. It is mineral-based and shouldn’t end up in the cartridge. I guess a low amount would be fine, but in time it could clog the fine mesh filter inside the cartridge or gunk up the impeller of the pump. Mineral-based talcum can also lead to premature wear of the blades and foils. I know it works really well, but there are downsides as well. And in this case, you should clean the shaver manually before using the station, which pretty much defies the purpose of having a cleaning station.
I think it would be best to stick to a pre-shave lotion that works well for you. They’re less messy and perfectly safe for the station. I would try other brands as well; I found the pre-shave from Speick to work the best; if you can get one, give it a try. Lab Series and Blue Stratos are good options as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
Thanks for your reply.
I agreed with you about the talcum stick, so I eliminated it and continued to try the alcohol based solutions. Per your review about Afta lotion, I agreed that it gummed up and it was not as smooth as the Lectric, so it too was eliminated. That left me with only the Lectric.
Unfortunately, I had three minor complaints about it that add up to make it frustrating…
1) runs all over your hands and arm when applying it
2) leaves greasy feeling on hands
3) smell is too old school
So, per your other post regarding the Speick, I decided to give it a try. It is definitely the winner! It has solved 2 of my 3 complaints as it doesn’t leave near as much of a greasy feeling and the smell is not as bad and disappears quicker.
So that only left complaint #1 about it running all over my hands and arm when applying it. But I found a solution! I decided to try applying it with a brush of some sort and I settled on a traditional shaving cream brush (linked below). I poured the pre-electric solution into a small pop top container (linked below) that is air tight, so that I can dip the brush. Since it is air tight, hopefully the alcohol will not evaporate too quickly. If it does then I figure I can just add a little 70% rubbing alcohol down the road. Works like a charm!
Tip #1: Just barely dip the brush into the solution. A little goes a long way. The first time I did it I dipped the brush too far into the solution and it ended up running down my arm which defeats the purpose.
Tip #2: Don’t dip the brush into the Lectric one day and then the Speick the next day. If you dip the brush into the Lectric then it will need to be washed before it can be used with another solution.
Thanks again for your sight and the helpful reviews and info!
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VF1NI5M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://smile.amazon.com/OXO-Good-Grips-4-Piece-Container/dp/B07MYYXW9V/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=oxo+mini+container&qid=1578982877&sr=8-1
Hi Erech,
No problem, glad I could help.
That’s great, glad you’re enjoying the Speick pre-shave. I completely agree with your gripes regarding the Lectric Shave — I switched to Speick for the same reasons.
I never had any issues with the solution running over my hands and arm though. Using the brush and container seems like a great workaround. I simply pour the solution in my left (cupped) hand, then simply (and quickly) put it above my right hand, rub them together a couple of times, rotating them so the solution doesn’t run all over, then apply it to the face using both hands. There’s minimal to no waste.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu.
Yes, I got better with the application by hand after I did it a few times. I was using too much and I was trying to apply it directly to my face instead of rubbing my hands together first. But it still felt messy to me even with the Speick not being as greasy. I’m telling you, using the shaving brush is great!
My goal of switching to electric shaving was to have a quick and easy way to shave without all the prep, mess and cleanup. When I have time and don’t mind the mess then I will shave with a blade. But this routine of 1) using a brush to apply pre-electric shave and 2) using the Braun CC everyday for cleaning gives me a quick, easy and non-messy way to shave. I love it! I’m a convert!
Thanks!
Awesome! Glad you’re enjoying it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
I went from using the 7570 shaver to the series 9. I’ve using for 5 months now and I’m super impressed with the series 9. But I just recently had a problem with my cleaning station and haven’t been able to solve it. The cleaning station “replace cartridge light” remains on after I replaced the cartridge and won’t cleaning the shaver anymore. I hope you can solve this issue for me.
Very Respectfully,
Jerry
Hi Jerry,
If the low-level indicator is still on even after replacing the cartridge with a new original Braun refill, there might be something wrong with the station. This isn’t a clogging issue or something you can take care of yourself, so my suggestion would be to contact a Braun service center and send the station for repairing/replacement. Since you’ve only had the shaver for 5 months, it’s still under warranty.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi! Mine keeps telling me a fresh new cartridge is empty after a couple of days. Is there a broken or clogged sensor that you’re aware of? Thx!
Hi,
The sensor can’t be clogged, but it could malfunction. From what I understand, there is a way to bypass the sensor. I haven’t done it, so I’m afraid I cannot offer any tips.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Q I intend to just clean my new Braun with warm water every day, without soap and lubricant, and to use the cleaner station twice a week. Will this be enough for cleaning and lubrication purposes?
Hi Kevin,
If you shave dry (so there’s no shaving cream involved), it should be good enough.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi. My cartridge is approximately 30% full and cleaner says empty and won’t work. Mine last maybe 1 month. Brutal
Hi Eric,
That’s pretty much how it goes, the station will signal an empty cartridge when the fluid drops to approximately 30% or even sooner if it’s extremely dirty. Try to incorporate some of the tips in the article, you should definitely see an improvement.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Very interesting article.
I got the Braun series 7 for Christmas and I’ve got three months out of a single cartridge. I pretty much clean the shaver every other day. I bought a 4 pack of cartridges for just over $20 at Best Buy. $20 a year is well worth it to me and I don’t bother pre-cleaning the shaver or re-capping the cartridge between shaves.
Thank you for your comment, Andy. That’s really good considering the frequency of use.
Hi thanks for all the helpful info!
I recently bought the new 9376cc model and even on the Braun user manual site I cannot find which clean & renew cartridges are compatible with this particular model.
Could you please let me know (link would be great) which replacement cartridges I need to buy?
Thank you,
Michael
Hi Michael,
You are very welcome, glad you found it helpful. All CCR refills made by Braun are actually compatible, the differences only consist in the type of alcohol used (ethanol or Isopropanol) and the fragrance. Other than that, they are identical and compatible with all current Braun cleaning stations, including yours. Here’s a link to the product on Amazon.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello hanks for all the helpful info!
My problem is after I made my own Cleaning Solution , My Braun Hygiene indicator not gauge up… They seen always in 1 Light …What should I do ? I have Braun 799c
Thnaks
Hi,
Just to make sure I understand correctly: you made your own cleaning solution, the station didn’t have any objections to it (it didn’t show the empty cartridge light), but after the cleaning process the hygiene bar on the shaver would not go up?
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Question: I always shave dry. In that case, is there a problem if I always clean my Braun 9295cc manually (also dry)? I did not keep the cleaning station and now I wonder if I should have kept it. Thanks for your answer.
I think the station is handy, especially with models like the Series 9 that have a very intricate cassette that makes it difficult to remove all the hairs and grime trapped inside. Even if you don’t use it regularly, it’s a good idea to put your shaver through an automatic cleaning once in a while to have it properly cleaned.
Regarding your situation, dry cleaning involves tapping the hairs out and using a brush or some compressed air to remove the hairs, but in time it won’t be enough in my opinion to clean all the dead skin, grit, fine hair dust trapped inside the cassette. I recommend using some water and liquid soap, not after every shave, but once a week or so.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
Great website, very informative, thank you.
I just picked up the new series 6 with cleaning station. How do I put the shaver in and charge without it starting the cleaning cycle? That would be so useful to know.
Many thanks 😀
Hi Dave,
Thank you for the kind words, much appreciated.
Unfortunately you cannot charge the shaver without starting a cleaning cycle as well. I wrote about this in my Series 6 review and in the guide to the 2020 Braun shavers. It’s one of the corners they decided to cut with these new shavers (including the new Series 7).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have been trying my own home made denatured alcohol and a few citrus oil drops in the cleaning cassette (as per many sites suggest) . My solution cleans fine BUT my bug bear is that the fan drying process and the 24 hours in between for drying off results in the head being still still wet for the next shave when I remover it from the cleaning cassette . (I am a dry user) . When I use Braun’s own cartridges , the fan and the 24 hours rest time, has the cartridge head / fils perfectly dry when I go to use..and that is what I want . When using my home made , where am I going wrong to end up with a wet cartridge / foils after the whole cleaning, fan and 24 hour rest . Braun’s cleaning cassette with same process , fan and 24 hour standing rest , leaves the cutter head / foil completely dry for first pass the next day.
That’s really interesting. Assuming you’re doing the exact same thing, it should definitely be dry after the drying process and the additional 24 hours. I assume you’re using a Series 9 since it’s the only one that has a station fitted with a fan. I can’t see why it would be any different since your solution is also alcohol-based (probably 70% or higher).
As a last resort, you can take out the razor from the station once the cleaning phase is over and remove the cassette. Just let it air dry, it will definitely be dry after 24 hours.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the reply . Yes 70 per cent denatured alcohol and yes series 9 with the fan . The solution drains away perfectly . The cartridge / foils are always dry the next morning when I use the Braun ‘solution’ but never when I make mine . I will try taking it out and leaving it to air dry . Being alcohol based I thought it would easily dry due to the whole evaporation business . Its been driving me crazy 🙂 . I have tried both denatured alcohol and isopropyl here in Australia… same problem 24 hours later.
Yes. Leaving the cartridge / foil to sit separately after cartridge clean worked . It was dry this morning. Another question if I may for the forum.
With my series 9 Bruan , the foil replacement light has come on (I assume it counts number of times turned on since purchased.). My foil / head however is fine due to regular oiling and cleaning. No big deal this light coming on but how does one reset that light so as to turn it off. In an older model I had I would use a pin in a small hole to reset . Is this the same and where is hole located ? I could put a new foil on , but it is not needed . Enjoying the forum .
That is correct regarding the new foil notification and there’s no need to replace it if it’s working fine. To reset the counter (and notification), press and hold the power button on the shaver for approximately 10 seconds (you will need to unlock the travel lock afterward).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, I have the same issue with a brand new Series 7071cc model…when I turn off the shaver, it displays the battery life remaining level and the cassette replacement indicator icon…both lights go out after a second or two…obviously, with a brand new shaver, it is too early to replace the cassette…why is it showing just this icon and not the cleaning icon, for example, and more to the point, how can I turn the cassette replacement indicator light off until it comes back on automatically when it really needs to be replaced in 12-18 months? I tried turning on and holding the power button for 10 seconds, as you recommended for the Series 9 model referenced above, but that did not resolve the issue for my Series 7 model…any advice?
Hi Brent,
If the cassette replacement indicator looks like this, it actually means the cassette is new and you should not replace it. There’s also nothing to reset in this case. When the vertical bar is also gone, only then it means that you should consider replacing the cassette.
The cleaning reminder shows up when the shaver thinks you’ve used it a pre-determined amount of time since the last automatic cleaning (it’s not entirely reliable, so just clean it when you think it’s the case). You can do it like once or twice a week and just clean your shaver manually with warm tap water in the meantime.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great, thanks Ovidiu…by the way, I have learned far more from reading your replies to questions on this web site than from the manual that came with the shaver. I really appreciate…thanks again
Thanks so much, glad I could be of help.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’m really enjoying your web site! I just got my Series 9 and am a little disappointed with the instruction booklet. Seems they could have spent a little more time describing and illustrating head removal; reading the signals; loading the cleaning solution, and etc. But it is what it is. So here’s my Q: is there a particularly good video anywhere on the internet that shows how to use all the features of the 9? Thanks for your suggestions! Ron
Thank you for your comment, Ron, much appreciated.
Check out this video by Tyler from Electric Shaver Guide, it is of an older Series 9 model, but still relevant to the newer ones.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The cleaning station of my serie 3 stopped working. The cassette is full but the station won’t absorb any liquid. So the cleaning process remains dry. All the lights are on but nothing happens. Charging is working.
Any suggestions? Thanks
It sounds like a faulty pump. Can you hear it working when the process starts or is it just the buzzing from the shaver?
You can hear the pump trying to suck the liquid but it’s sucking air only. It goes through the normal process of 3 sucking times, but nothing.
I swap with an another (older) base and I get the same result. Lights flashing orange, shaver making noise but but sucking
Are the Clean&Renew cartridges recyclable or just throw away?
Braun just states that the cartridges should be disposed of, so I guess they are not.
Thanks, that was as far as I got also, strange.
Ralph
Hi
I am Using the new Braun series 9, 9370, with the clean and charge station. I use the clean and charge station daily. Replacing the cartridge every two to three weeks is not an issue.
I use Lab Series electric shave pre shave. I also use their razor burn relief product. I really like the Lab Series stuff.
I find the 9370, not the last word in closeness. The closeness is better when I use the Lab Series electric pre shave.
Would I be better with the more upscale 9385 or do both if the new Series 9 models perform the same? I shave before showering. Is there anything else I can do?I have sensitive skin that is prone to irritation. Any ideas?
Hi Jay,
You definitely wouldn’t see any improvements by using the 9385cc, it is absolutely identical to your 9370cc in terms of shaving performance. In fact, all the current Series 9 models are exactly the same in that regard. So there’s really no reason to get another one.
Braun shavers aren’t the closest shaving out there; in my opinion Panasonic shavers offer a closer shave in most cases. However, where Braun really shines is in the comfort of the shave. You can’t really have both. So that’s a compromise that makes sense in certain situations (for example when you’re dealing with sensitive skin).
You can actually make some adjustments in order to get a closer shave, the easiest one being the addition of a pre-shave lotion. I personally don’t find the Lab Series to be particularly efficient; the Speick pre-shave is (at least in my experience) better. It’s not fragrance-free like the Lab Series, but I also have sensitive skin and never had any issues. I’m always getting a closer shave when I use the Speick pre-shave with my Series 9 shavers. I think it’s worth giving it a try.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’m getting some neck rash with the 9370cc. What can I do to mitigate it? I clean the shaver daily with the clean and charge station. I use Lab Series electric Pre shave. I use their razor burn relief. What more can I do?
Hi
I am not getting a close shave with the 9370CC. I am using Lab Series Pre Shave. Does the 9370 give the same quality shave as the 9385CC?
Hi Jay,
I already answered in this comment.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Yes And Thanks
However, the other comment is about neck rash, which I don’t think you touched on.
A related question is how long should the foil cartridge last if you shave daily with a heavy beard? Braun says 18 months, but I think that depends on type of beard and frequency. I have four months with the shaver.
You are very welcome.
Regarding the neck rash, you are getting the basics right: a suitable shaver for sensitive skin and a pre-shave lotion. That leaves us with technique and optionally trying a wet shave as well.
Try not to press hard and let the shaver do the work, always going against the grain and using slow, short, controlled strokes.
As for the cassette, you are right, it totally depends on the specific use case, so it would be very difficult to make any predictions. However I’d say that with daily use and a heavy beard, you should probably expect around half of what the manufacturer claims. They get those numbers under ideal conditions that almost never resemble a real situation.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank You Ovidiu
Can the 9370 be used as “wet shave” mode?
Jay
Absolutely, you can safely use it for wet shaving.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Shaving Cream recommendations?
My personal favorites are the ones from Speick, Nivea and Proraso (in this order). I also enjoy the shaving balm from Jack Black called Beard Lube. That one is extremely easy to use as it doesn’t need to be lathered and once applied to the face it’s basically transparent, which is definitely convenient. I shared more details in this article.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu
I will purchase the Beard Lube. Did you know they also make an electric shaver pre-shave?
No problem, Jay.
I know about their pre-shave, but I gave up on it a few years ago when I couldn’t find a seller willing to ship it overseas. I live in Europe and Jack Black products aren’t very popular here. But I would be very interested in trying it as I was always very pleased with this brand.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
With my Braun Series 9 (9370), is there anything I need to be careful about, when using Jack Black beard lube?
No, just make sure to rinse the cassette really well as the beard lube is really slick. I personally use a bit of liquid soap well. If you want to clean the shaver in the station right afterward, shake the excess water really well and also wipe everything dry with a towel before placing it in the base.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks. I will also try the Art of Shaving pre shave gel and their after shave balm.
Ovidiu
Any way to make most recent comments at the top?
Thanks
I think it can be done, but requires some coding and even though it would make sense to have the more recent comments at the top, most readers expect them to be ordered starting with the oldest. I’ll try to find a way to have this as a sorting preference that can be modified by the user.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks. If it can be done then that would be great!
Ovidiu
Have you ever checked out the Art of Shaving products? The Art of Shaving store advised their pre-shave gel with the series 9 Braun shaver. Works well.
Hi Jay,
Can’t say I have. I am familiar with the brand but never got the chance to use their products. I live in Europe and unfortunately they’re not available here. I will try to order the pre-shave gel though, it looks like a great product.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
The Art of shaving store in NYC recommends using the gel with the Braun rather then their shave cream
It is odd that the product is not available in Europe. Both Braun and the Art of Shaving are divisions of Proctor and Gamble, which I assume is a world wide company.
The gel could be easier to use with an electric shave than shaving cream. For example, I much prefer using the Jack Black Beard Lube as opposed to (any) shaving cream since it’s easier to apply and it’s transparent, which definitely helps.
As fo AOS, I guess they simply decided to focus on the USA customer base with this brand. I’m only familiar with it from my wet shaving days when I was quite active on various forums.
I have been using the Braun clean and renew system for several years. Until this summer, my cartridges lasted a month, shaving and cleaning every day (but not using your longevity ideas). For the past several months my cartridges only last three weeks. Is it time to replace my base or have they changed the cartridges? Any ideas?
Hi Jeff,
The cartridges are still the same, although some slight reformulations of the solution can happen from time to time. I would first check to see if the station isn’t (partially) clogged, which may lead to increased consumption of cleaning fluid. I wrote a detailed guide on that here. The rubber gaskets can crack and get stiff in time as well, but since you didn’t mention any fluid leaks under the station, that’s probably not an issue here.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu I have a Series 9 9296cc Shaver but no cleaning station, can you tell me which are the correct cleaning stations with their identity numbers that I can use my Braun Shaver ?
Graham. W. British Isles
Hi Graham,
That would be the Braun 81481301 cleaning station.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Good info, thanks.
Thank you, Ed, much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I got my new 9 series Braun, Iuse the automatic cleaning every day.
After 22 days Igot the red signal of low level of tthe cartridge, is it the nornal time that the cartrige last?
Yes, that would be considered normal under these circumstances. Try the first two suggestions in this post if you can.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I will.
Thank you.
Thanks for your very helpful comments to the public. I do have one suggestion that what’s worked many years for me with the Braun shavers and their Clean-Renew packs. Use a compressed air can on the head reattach and place the electric razor into the cleaning mechanism. Works very well and leaves little or no residue in the cleaning solution. Somewhere I read in the instructions that it is not recommended using a brush in the mechanism head due to its delicacy
I should add I use the air can after each use and do not place the razor in the cleaning fluid until the Hygiene Scale is completed. I have an older series 7 Braun and just purchased 9390.
Many thanks for your comment, Jack. The compressed air ca is a great option — I’ve actually recommended it as an alternative in several posts. The brush shouldn’t be used directly on the foil, but you can use it to clean the inner part.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Again, great article and comments. I was using the cleaning station everyday and I consider each shave light to medium. It sounds like you can skip a day or two. Can I rinse it under running water, shake it off, and set it on the counter if i am using the station every other day or do you recommend opening it, brushing it, then water?
P.S. I guess I am lucky (?) because my station did the 3rd level cleaning (3 drops) one time and subsequently, has done the 2nd level (2 drops) every time. Again, this is using it everyday.
THANKS!
Thank you for your comment, Paul. I think it’ll be, fine just rinsing it especially since you’ll be using the station every other day. The cleaning mode (as selected by the station) is a bit of a lottery really, especially with the Series 9.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Q. My 9295cc has the cleaning light appear EVERY time I use it even for a light shave. I then put it into the cleaning base and 3 droplets appear and it gives it a long cleaning. The droplet then disappears from the shaver after cleaning. When used again the droplet appears on the shaver and when cleaned again the 3 droplets appear again and it does a long cleaning. Surely the shaver should not indicate a cleaning EVERY use.
That’s actually quite common with Series 9 shavers (it happens with my 9290cc and also the 9385cc, so they didn’t fix it with the newer models). It’s not really a major inconvenience since the differences between the cleaning programs are rather minor. You can also ignore the cleaning icon and simply give it a rinse under the tap if you don’t think it needs a thorough cleaning with the station.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey Ovidiu, thanks for the helpful information on the Braun shavers. I recently purchased the Series 8 and am very happy with my purchase. I do have a question about using the cleaning station. I manually clean my razor after each shave (daily) and am curious about the effects of using the cleaning/charging station after every three or four savings and the effect of charging the battery when its not low will have on the longevity of the battery. Thanks for any information you can provide on this.
Hi Ovidiu. I have a Braun cleaning station for my Series 7 Razor. The station model number is 5675. My cleaner has a round button ( about 1.5 inches in diameter ) on the face. to the left are three symbols for fluid levels. To the right are a stack of symbols starting with a (1) check mark, (2) one drop, (3) two drops, (4) three drops, and finally (5) three side way waves which seem to indicate heat or fan. I have had this cleaner a number of years but seem to remember the instruction book to be useless. JUST FOUND YOUR SITE. BEST EVER. HOPE YOU CAN ANSWER MY QUESTION which is:
On the cleaner button, the owner’s booklet said to push to start. The button has a clock-like symbol @ 12 o” clock, a blue light (dead center) that lights when the button is pushed, and a semi-circle ( 3/4 inch diameter ) inside of the 1.5″ button At 6 O’clock that is pushed independently of the button and also causes the blue light in the center of the 1.5 in button to light when pushed. The semi-circle has two sideway arrows pointing right followed by one drop symbol.
When I push the 1.5-inch button it starts a fan-like sound that lasts 5 seconds, pauses for 5 seconds, then fan on 10 seconds, pauses 10 seconds then fan on 15 seconds, pauses 15 seconds.
When I push the 3/4 inch diameter semi-circle, I get the same fan-like sound that lasts 20 seconds then stops.
Is there a difference between these two options other than time? If so, when should I use the large button vice the semi-circle?
Hi John,
Thank you for your comment, much appreciated.
Your cleaning station with model number 5675 is one of the older generations that can come with or without inducting heating. But judging by the three waves symbol, yours has it. Regarding the semi-circle button, that one activates the Quick clean function (very short and more economical, suitable when the shaver isn’t very dirty). This is again a feature that newer Series 7 models lack. Pressing the 1.5-inch button will simply start the normal cleaning program which takes more time and also uses more cleaning fluid. That’s the difference between the two.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu Thank you very much for your thoughtful explanation of my cleaning station’s functions. I am going to try using the semi-circle button on a regular basis as my cleaning solution needs replenishment frequently.
I am new user of braun shaver that have recently, brought series 8, I have few of the question which I want to ask, first one is where is the best place to store the liquid that we use for cleaning the shaver. Second question, When I have opened and removed the liquid it smells all over the room is it dangerous to health and how can we deal with as I have opened all of the windows of the room. I have stored the liquid in a wardrobe which I do used quite lot but I don’t have other places to store liquid anywhere else. Give me your opinions as soon as possible thanks.
Hi,
First of all, I highly recommend reading the safety precautions in your user’s manual.
The cartridge (with the cover securely in place) can be stored in a bathroom cabinet, countertop, drawer, and so on. Since the solution is alcohol-based, it is flammable, so do not store it near a heat source. Regarding the smell, when cleaning the shaver in the station, it is perfectly normal to get a whiff of alcohol. However, the cartridge with the cap on should be air-tight, so you shouldn’t detect any alcohol smell around it, so make sure the cap is properly inserted in place.
You can also contact Braun customer support as they’re usually quite helpful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Found this very useful article with the help of Google. Several posts you’ve written will definitely come in handy when using my Series 7 shaver.
Thank you, Ovidiu!
Thank you for your comment, really glad you found the site useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I purchased a new shaving head for my Series 7 then gave the shaver to my 17 year old son who loves it. I then purchased me a Series 9, 9390 (titanium head). I quickly discovered that as good as the Series 7 is, the Series 9 is waaay better. What a shave, quick too! I shave every other day. I clean the shaver via cleaning Station every third shave so that’s a cleaning about once a week. I find this use/cleaning interim optimal. I buy a pack of 6 cartridge’s from Amazon once a year, they last me and my son (Series 7) all year, no problem. I’ve used Norelco and others but nothing beats this Series 9.
Thank you for taking the time to share this, Jim. Glad you’re happy with your Series 9, it is one of the better shavers out there.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Do you remove the cartridge and seal it back up again between cleanings so the alcohol doesn’t evaporate?
That would be highly recommended in order to prevent the fluid from evaporating.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’m so conservative that I still use a Series 3, and it has served me brilliantly. HOWEVER, as I live in Jersey, in The Channel Islands, I am constantly irritated to find that Amazon will not ship the C&R cartridges and now, to my amazement, Boots, the Chemists, tell me that they are no longer stocking the cartridges. It’s a hopeless predicament.
What’s left to do? Fill the old cartridge with vodka or something?
Patrick.
Hi Patrick,
Check out this post, I think you may find it useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks so much for this informative blog post. (I’ve been coming back to your blog several times over the last few months because it’s SO helpful.)
I just got a Series 7 shaver after using my ex’s Series 7 for years. I’ve used my new Series 7 twice now, and it doesn’t seem to be shaving as powerfully and smoothly as my ex’s. Is this normal because the shaver and my skin need to get used to each other? I haven’t used the Clean & Charge station yet–would using that station (and the lubrication it provides) make the shaver cut better like I’m used to my ex’s cutting? Thanks in advance.
(And, yes, I’m running my shaver on the highest-intensity setting.)
This is worrying enough to me that I’ve been wondering if my unit is defective and I should return it.
Hi Toby,
Thank you for your comment, glad you found the site informative. From your comment, I assume that you bought one of the previous-gen Series 7 (that come with 5 power settings). These are actually superior performance-wise to the newer 2020 models, so I think you made the right call.
Regarding your experience so far, that is a bit odd. Since you’ve previously used an electric shaver (which happens to also be a Series 7), your skin shouldn’t need to adjust to the shaver. Also, we can rule out any technique issues — again because you’ve been shaving for years with one. Brand new shavers are rarely defective, so while not impossible, it is unlikely. Also, you shouldn’t need to use the station before shaving for the first time. It’s a long shot, but make sure it’s properly charged — there’s a drop in power when the battery is almost drained. Do you happen to know the exact model of your and your ex’s Series 7?
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the reply, Ovidiu!
His is the 790cc (purchased Sept. 2017). I could’ve sworn it was going for ~$199.99 just a few months ago, but lately it’s been going for $220.05 (these are Amazon prices).
Mine is the 7865cc (purchased May 2021). Price: $179.94.
You are very welcome, Toby. As I said previously, I find this rather odd. I actually own both these models and I just cannot notice any performance differences between them. If the battery is fully charged and you use your 7865cc in the highest power mode, it should be at least as good as the older one. If you still find it significantly slower, maybe you should take advantage of the warranty and ask for a replacement.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I appreciate the follow-up. Yes, this could just be a “grass is greener on the other side” phenomenon where I feel like the other one shaved better. My ex and I are amicable so I might ask if I can shave with both his and mine (1/2 of my face for each shaver) to see if there’s any real difference or if it’s just in my mind.
My new Series 9 Sport shaver comes out wet from the clean and charging station after a full cycle.
Can this be fixed? This has happened from the first cleaning.
Hi Richard,
It’s not actually that uncommon. By full cycle I suppose you’re referring to a complete cleaning & drying process which takes around 50 minutes. Since the unit is brand new, we can rule out a clogged drain which can cause the head to be excessively wet. I own several Series 9 models and while the head is dry on the outside, the inner part of the foil is still wet, so I usually remove the head and let it air dry for a few hours.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I haven’t noticed anyone posting this so thought I’d share. I have a series 9 razor and before I put it into the cleaning unit, instead of tapping the cartridge or lightly brushing it to remove hairs and such I hit it with a can of compressed air (the duster type used on computers etc) with the little straw inserted in the nozzle. I do this over the sink and it blasts everything out of the cartridge with no harm to the foils. Pretty fast too.
Thank you for your comment, Mark, much appreciated. You are right, if you have a can of compressed air, it works a treat for that. I’ve actually mentioned it in my post about how to clean an electric shaver manually.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
Thanks for all your valuable insight to date.
I have a Braun series 7 with the cleaning station. The cleaning fluid looks really dirty and dark in colour (instead of the light blue colour) after around 7-8 cleans to date. Is this normal?
Can I empty the cleaning fluid in a container, then wash out the empty cartridge before putting the fluid back in? Or should I just buy a new cartridge?
Many thanks for your advise.
Hi Shahid,
Thank you for your comment, glad you found the post useful.
It’s actually normal for the liquid to look murky after 7 or 8 cleanings. That said, I don’t think it’ll make too much of a difference rinsing the cartridge and using the same fluid. Apart from the hairs at the bottom, there are all sorts of stuff dissolved in the fluid itself. But even so, it is still safe and hygienic to continue using it. 7 or 8 cleaning cycles is really not that much. As long as the indicator on the station doesn’t turn red, it’s all good.
You should also consider one of the third-party alternatives, they work really well and cost a lot less.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My Braun series 9 shaver head the foil part keep getting a hole in it.. How can I make this last longer? I use it about every day of the week. Can I use pure alcohol in my washer? Thank you
Hi Gary,
The only thing you can do is to properly clean and lubricate the shaving head. And if you use the cleaning station after every shave, it’s pretty much taken care of. The foils will always wear out faster when the shaver is used more often.
As for the cleaning solution, using only pure alcohol will cause the station to signal an empty cartridge. My recommendation would be to get one of the third-party solutions that are a lot cheaper compared to the Braun refills. Some of them come ready-made, while others must be mixed with 70% alcohol.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I recently “inherited” a Braun Clean & Renew 5331 shaver. I had searched for an instruction manual on-line without luck, so I fear it is obsolete. I had also sent a request for its instruction manual to Braun. While I’m waiting for Braun’s reply, can you direct me to some video which shows the basics of operation?
Hi John,
5331 refers to the cleaning cartridge itself (which fits all Braun cleaning stations). I will need to know the model name of the shaver or at least to see a picture of it (maybe you can upload some and paste the links in the comments or just send the pictures to me via email at contact@shavercheck.com).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have follwed this interestoing discussion to glean tips for my old S5 WetandDry Braun, so today decided to follw the experiments with action: I poured some 64 p.c. Isocol rubbing alcohol (bought for $A11) into the receptacle, added 6-8 drops of oil of citronella, washed the shaver head under warm water, then lubricated the foils with some sewing machine oil…
Haven’t tried it out yet as I deliberate on whether to add some drops of tea tree shampoo to the receptacle. Any advice gratefully accepted!
Hi Luis,
I personally wouldn’t add any shampoo, soap, etc. to a Braun cartridge because it will foam up A LOT. There are various DIY recipes and from the users’ feedback they seem to work just fine, but again, I would not add anything like that to the solution. I personally prefer the ready-made third-party solutions since the cost is still much lower compared to the Braun refills.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
First I would like to say thanks for providing so much important information on electric shavers – it really has come in handy in my household (one 9 series and two 7 series).
You had mentioned that the Braun shaver should be completely dry before using the cleaning station. I was wondering why that was – maybe you had some info I had not seen? For me, even if I am going to use the station after a shave, I will still tap out the cartridge, run some water through it & the unit head – assemble it again, run it for a few seconds (to loosen material that may have been lodged prior) then do another quick rinse with the head off. Sounds like a lot, but only takes about 15 seconds – but I do this to reduce the amount of “gunk” that ends up in the station if I do not get the bulk out ahead of time. I leave it apart to dry, but only because you had mentioned it needs to be dry going in – I was wondering now why that is necessary.
Great stuff, and again thanks for the efforts you have put in for all of us!
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thank you for your comment, much appreciated.
That’s actually a great question. Braun explicitly mentions that you should always have the shaver dry before cleaning it with the station (they even have a sticker on the stations depicting that). However, they don’t say why is that necessary.
Here are a few reasons that I can think of:
– Safety. You could have just a damp shaving head or the whole body of the shaver could be dripping wet. Since the shaver connects to the station via some metal contacts, the risk of electric shock is real.
– If the shaver is really wet, some water could drain into the cartridge. Doing that repeatedly will dilute the cleaning solution and might cause the station to signal an empty cartridge prematurely.
– If there’s soapy water or lather on the shaving head, it will foam up during the cleaning cycle, increasing the pressure inside the cartridge and will probably make a mess all around.
So in order to avoid any of the potential hazards, it’s best and safer to always have the shaver dry before using the station.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
Thanks for your useful comments. As a fresher in the world of shavers, I benefitted a lot from your website. I just have a question about the trimmer of my shaver (Braun 7898cc). Is it OK to open and close the trimmer when the shaver is on? Wouldn’t this damage the blades?
Many thanks in advance,
Hossein
Hi Hossein,
Thank you for your comment, glad you found the site useful.
It’s definitely fine to extend and close the trimmer once in a while, however, I wouldn’t recommend doing it constantly. The trimmer on the Series 7 is known to break sometimes, so just to be on the safe side, I would operate it with the shaver turned off. The trimmer’s blade is driven by a plastic linkage that only engages when the trimmer is almost fully extended — and it’s best for that to happen with the shaver turned off.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’ve been looking for someone who has had my Braun problem and you are the closest I’ve found. I replaced the head on my Braun 9 about two months ago (waited way too long on this) and suddenly I’ve had a recurring problem of the charge/cleaning station saying I have “three drops” following one shave after cleaning. Nothing in the cleaner is clogged up and I have checked the head and it shows little hair in the cutter after one use. My techie background tells me there is a problem with the shaver not knowing it was cleaned and reset, but only because there seems to little smarts in the charger/cleaner.
Hey,
That is actually a common issue with the Series 9 — the station will often select the Intensive mode, sometimes even after a short shave. The station/shaver cannot actually assess how clean the shaving head is. Since all the cleaning modes are pretty similar, I wouldn’t worry too much about this. Some Series 9 stations even come with a single standard cleaning mode (like the 9370cc).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Dear Ovidiu,
Thank you so much for this very helpful site and in particular, the thoughtful, careful and respectful way you reply to your correspondents.
I am very glad to hear of your experiment in developing your own cleaning cartridge fluid and I would love to hear of the outcome and any progress reports you might care to share.
In the meantime, I am going to try a little experimenting of my own. I live in Australia and have been able to obtain Isopropyl Alcohol 70% at a reasonable price. Ovidiu, you have mentioned the importance of including a lubricant to the mix. Would you have any sense of what amount to add to the 170ml cartridge? I am going to try lemon essential oil which I believe is made from the rind of lemons. Do you know if this would be a suitable lubricant in itself, as well as being a fragrancing agent?
Kindest regards
Adrian
Hi Adrian,
Thank you so much for the comment, glad you found the site helpful.
My recipe took a bit of a back seat as I have been very busy with work. Some third-party cleaning solutions (that are commercially available) use food-grade mineral oil as lubricant, while others (including Braun’s own solution) rely on the properties of Limonene and Citral. So, lemon or orange essential oils should also work. Orange essential oil in particular has a very high concentration of D-Limonene (91 to 97%). A tablespoon per cartridge should be more than enough. The station might signal an empty cartridge, in which case you should very gradually add small amounts of distilled water (make sure however not to overfill the cartridge).
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thank you for the advice. If anything I try appears to be successful after some time in application, I’ll let you know.
Kindest regards
Adrian
No problem, Adrian. Please do.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu.
I really appreciate your expertise and how you communicate your findings.
I’m wondering if I have the cleaning steps correct:
1) Remove cartridge and tap out the clippings on the bottom, plastic portion
2) Rinse with warm water and liquid soap after shaving
3)Allow to completely dry before reassembling cartridge onto razor,
4) Insert into cleaning station,
5) Once cycle is complete and razor is dry, oil/lubricate:
(This is where the gap is for me…do I oil at this stage?
Also, do I oil the foils and/or do I also oil the inside by removing the cartridge again?)
Thanks very much…
Hi Rich,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
The second step you’ve mentioned — a full-blown manual clean — isn’t necessary right before an automatic cleaning cycle. You would want to clean the shaver every once in a while to save on cleaning fluid.
Tapping the hairs out will suffice before putting the shaver into the station. Once the automatic cleaning cycle is completed, there’s no need to additionally lubricate the shaver. The cleaning solution takes care of that. You would only oil it yourself after a manual cleaning with soap. Also, there’s no need to remove the cassette for that; just apply a couple of drops of oil on the outside of each foil, then turn the razor on for a few seconds and you’re all set. Just remember to apply the oil when the shaving is completely dry.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi
Great site btw.
I have a quick question. I have just ordered the Braun 9477cc Pro, and wondered what oils you would recommend to use after manual cleaning? tia.
Thank you so much, I appreciate it.
Any clipper oil like the Oster Blade Lube or Wahl clipper oil works great. Just make sure the shaving head is completely dry before applying the oil. More details in this post.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great review, I always keep the plastic top of the cleaning cartridge to replace after use to stop the fluid evaporating. The Braun instructions cleverly show the cap being thrown into the trash bin after opening a new cartridge, crafty.
I forgot to ask do all series 3 shavers work with the cleaning station?
Thank you for the comment, Mike, I really appreciate it.
Unfortunately no, it will only work with the cc Series 3 shavers that originally came with a station (for example 3050cc, 3090cc, etc.).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This is a great review! But how often should I use the cleaning station? Should I use it every day, once per week, once every two weeks…?
Thank you, Allen. I think twice a week would be a good compromise and just rinse the shaver with warm tap water in the meantime. If you don’t use liquid soap when cleaning your shaver manually, it shouldn’t need any additional lubricant.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Even with me taking out the cartridge each day and carefully sealing the same with the original cap after the drying process, the cartridge is still evaporating alcohol with the cap on and sealed so much so I would be lucky to get 25 days of cleaning before the red-light comes on and no longer draws alcohol . Not sure how users get a couple of months or more using that method . Hmm.
Hi,
How many times per week do you use the cleaning station? That is what will ultimately determine how many days you’re getting from a cartridge — the rest of the tweaks will help only to a degree.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Can you use E’lectric Shave solution as a refill or mix it with the original Braun solution
Hi Jim,
I’ve heard about this, but never tried it, so I cannot really recommend it. Moreover, I think it’ll be more economical to just mix rubbing alcohol with a concentrate like CCRRefills.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My cleaning cartridges are only lasting one week before the red light goes on.
Hi Paul,
Did this start recently or was it always the case with your station? I’m asking because even if you were to shave daily and always leave the cartridge inside the base, it should still easily last for more than a week.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for your reply Ovidiu,
This just startedone week ago. I am only getting 4-5 cleaning cycles from a cartridge.
Regards,
Paul
No problem. In that case it’s either a defective probe/sensor or there’s a chance of a clogged drain which could accelerate the evaporation of the fluid. After one week (when the station signals an empty cartridge), is the fluid level also really low in the cartridge?
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have used a metal skewer to clean the drain and the fluid level is low in the cartridge.
Great, check out the fluid level after a week, hopefully it’ll be ok from now on.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have used a metal skewer to clean the drain and the fluid level is low in the cartridge.
It depleted another cartridge after 5 cleanings.
And that happened over the course of only one week? No leakage or anything?
Yes it occured over one week and there was not any leakage.
The reason the cleaning cartridge gets low is due to evaporation of the isopropyl alcohol that makes up nearly all of the volume of the cleaning liquid. To make the cleaning cartridge last as long as possible you must first clean the shaving head that contains the cassette under running water to rinse out as much of the tiny cut whiskers and hairs as possible. This debris accumulates and can plug up the cleaning solution container, make it look cloudy and ultimately leave debris in the bottom of the cleaning station that you can see when you remove the shaver to use it. You must try to add as little of the shaving debris as possible BEFORE each cleaning cycle because that is recirculated during every cleaning and will continue the increase. This will keep the cleaning solution as clear as possible even though some debris will be always be added since you cannot clean the shaving cassette perfectly. When the volume in the cleaning solution container gets low just add back some 70% isopropyl alcohol from a bottle to the original fill line. You can easily buy the isopropyl alcohol at any drugstore such as CVS or Walgreens. The detergent and lubricant in the cleaning solution does not really evaporate anywhere near as fast as the isopropyl alcohol does. When you remove the shaver from the cleaning station and you start seeing a lot of debris at the bottom of the black base where the shaving head rests it is time to use a brand new unused cleaning solution cartridge and start using the above procedure immediately by first cleaning the shaving head each time BEFORE you start a new cleaning cycle. Tips from a retired chemist.
Hi David,
Many thanks for the comment, you’re obviously very knowledgeable on this topic. I’m not by any means a chemist, I’ve just been using lots of different shavers throughout the years.
Having the shaving head as clean as possible before using the station will of course make the solution last longer, but I wanted to recommend something with a minimum amount of work. Washing and drying it is clearly better but takes longer and some users just don’t want to wash the shaver because that’s why they bought the cleaner for. If the solution is not overly contaminated but low in volume, adding more alcohol is definitely viable. Some Braun stations are a bit iffy and may still show an empty cartridge in which case some water or salt may be added to get the electrical conductivity within a certain range.
Thank you again for the info, much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
How do I change the time my series 9 cleans. Mine is set at 3 lights. I’d like to do 2
Hi Steve,
You can’t, the station picks the presumably optimal program (or at least it tries).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you sir! This was very helpful!
Thank you, Jeff, glad the info was helpful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Do the original cartridges for the station have an expiration date?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
P.S.
I mean the expiration date when the cartridges are new, unopened. And one more question. I had a Series 9 with a station before, and now, after many years, I bought a Series 9 with a station, again. Can I use both stations with the new shaver?
Hi Liam,
There’s no explicit expiration date on the cartridges and should last for years (if not stored in direct sunlight for example). I’ve just started using one that came with an old Series 5 cc that I bought like 5 years ago and it’s perfectly fine. The station didn’t signal an empty cartridge warning.
Regarding the Series 9 question, it really depends on the models. If your old Series 9 is a 90xx or 92xx and you most likely bought a 93xx, it will not work. The old station will only charge the new shaver, but the cleaning program won’t work. More details here.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for this post. I have a few questions. I should let you know that I’m blind, so I can’t see whether the cleaning cartridge needs refilling. When I last hit the clean button on the station, I noticed a gurgling sound after each time it sprayed and ran the shaver. Does that sound mean I need to replace the cleaning thing? I live in Colorado which is at high altitude so I’m guessing the alcohol evaporates even faster maybe? I think I threw away the cap for the cartridge and I’m really hesitant to try and put it back on each time it’s done cleaning, because I would have trouble pulling it out of the station without spilling stuff everywhere. I haven’t had it long at all, maybe a month now, and don’t use the cleaner every time. I try to get the hair out as much as I can, although I feel really dumb because I didn’t know you weren’t supposed to hit the foils on the sink … I just figured that was a good way to make sure I got all the hair I could out of the thing. Also, I didn’t know you were supposed to use the cleaning station when the razor was totally dry … I had used some shave soap and water for my last shave, but did my best to clean the cassette … again not knowing I wasn’t supposed to hit the foils on the sink … I really hope I haven’t already damaged the foil in the thing, it seems to shave ok but how do I know if it’s damaged? If it changes color or something, I won’t know. But I did use the cleaning station with the shaver wet a few times. Lastly, I can’t really do a 3rd party cleaning solution as I can’t see to fill up an empty cartridge, the stuff would get all over the counter if I tried, trust me. Is there some sort of generic cleaning cartridge out there that’s cheaper? Sorry for the length of this post, but I wanted to get all this out before I forgot.
Thanks, Dave
Hi Dave,
Thank you for the comment.
If the liquid level gets too low, the cleaning process will simply not start when pressing the button. So currently even if you hear a difference in the sound it makes during use, there’s still enough fluid left in the cartridge.
Considering you can’t see, it’s probably best to just leave the cartridge inside the station all the time as it can be fiddly to remove and install every time.
It’s fine to gently tap only the plastic frame of the shaving head on the sink, but not the foils. I think yours are fine, if they were damaged, you would probably notice that during your shave. The shaver would also vibrate and make a lot of noise (in addition to shaving poorly).
The shaver should be dry since water and electric devices don’t get along well (the station connects to the shaver via two contact pins) and also because water and soap that end up in the cartridge will dilute and contaminate the solution so you’ll need to replace the cartridge sooner.
As for ready-made generic cartridges, check out the ones from Clark Shaving Co. I haven’t used them yet, but the reviews are really good.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey Ovidiu,
I purchased the Braun Series 9 9376cc shaver with the cleaning station two months ago. After two months of use, I noticed that the red light was blinking and the cartridge was low. Instead of purchasing an OEM Braun cleaning solution, I cleaned the used-up cartridge thoroughly; then I inserted my homemade cleaning solution into the cleaned cartridge, which I created following several online sources and instructions. The home made solution was created using isopropyl alcohol + distilled water + oil scent. However, the red lights keep blinking when I insert the cartridge with the home made cleaning solution, and the cleaning will not start. Would this be because I am not using the original cleaning solution from Braun? or is this an issue with my cleaning station? Maybe an issue with the probe sensor?
Jay
Hi Jay,
It most likely has to do with the electrical conductivity of your solution which must be between certain parameters. That’s how the Braun stations decide if the solution is still good or should be replaced. In this case most users have found that adding some baking soda to the mix (like 1/4 of a tablespoon) will solve the issue.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey Ovidiu,
Thanks so much for all your effort on this. I found your information very valuable when researching which razor to switch to and once selected, how to best maintain.
I’ve used my Braun Series 9 for about 6 months, now trying several methods including hand cleaning daily and only using the station weekly or twice weekly. I have landed on the fact that I like the razor best when cleaned the previous day using the station as opposed to hand cleaning. However, using the station every day has reduced the cartridge’s use time down from months to about 17 days.
I am also looking for easy of use, so many solutions to extend the life of the solution don’t appeal to me. I have loved the ease of just sticking it in the station after each shave and running the cleaning system. No taking apart, no drying and great results. However considering extending the use time, I had an idea I hadn’t seen expressed, so I thought I would get your opinion on it.
Thinking it would be similar to only shaving every other or every third day, what do you think about shaving every day, but only using the cleaning station every other or every third day? So day one, I shave and just put it back in the station without using the station or manually cleaning it. But every other or third day, I turn on the cleaning system.
Thoughts?
Thanks, Kyle
Hi Kyle,
Thanks for the kind comment, much appreciated.
I think it can work fairly well, but I would definitely put it through a cleaning cycle every other day, no less than that. And that’s simply because the hairs trapped inside can partially block the oscillating struts and blades from moving freely. Again, that is considering you do not perform any type of manual cleaning after you shave, not even tapping out the hairs trapped inside the cassette.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey Ovidiu,
Thank you for all your guides, they have been immensely helpful. I have recently bought a Series 9 Pro with the cleaning station and am very happy with it.
My current cleaning cartridge is almost finished so looking to buy refills, still debating whether to go with Braun’s or go for a 3rd party option. I have found this option on Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shaver-Cleaner-Cleaning-Cartridge-Stations/dp/B0BRYNJHGK/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=braun+clean+and+renew+refill+cartridges&s=drugstore&sr=1-4) and was wondering whether you have tried it? It seems very cheap at only £4/litre but the reviews seem good so am very tempted!
Thanks!
Henry
Hi Henry,
Thanks so much for the kind comment, glad you found the site useful.
I’m afraid I haven’t used that specific brand, so I cannot say anything from personal experience. The reviews are however positive and the price is excellent. It doesn’t say the alcohol concentration, but from what I can tell, it is a bit lower than the OEM Braun refills. The only issue as a result of that is the increased time for the cleaning fluid to evaporate. So even after the drying cycle of your S9 Pro, the head will likely still be damp. Not a big deal, but something to consider. I would just take the shaver out of the station and let it air dry with the head detached.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu