Refill Braun Cleaning Fluid Cartridge - Braun Shaver 

That's a lot of additional work if you follow Braun's recommendation and clean after every shave. On the other hand, if you clean the shaver once a week, it can save you some money. HOWEVER, if you clean only every week, I'd do a thorough manual cleaning (just remove the head and rinse the head and shaver for a minute under hot water) prior to a CCR cleaning. This will keep the fluid in the cartridge virtually clear, as opposed to turning it into a gunky soup of dead skin particles and hairs. There is another approach useful for people who shave most days. Leave the cartridge in the unit. When the red light comes on in 4-5 weeks, most of what has been lost is simply evaporated alcohol. Specifically, you will discover that the cartridge, which originally weighed 199g with cover, now weighs around 139g with cover. There will be some hairs in there as well. If you have an accurate scale, add about 30-40g of alcohol through the small hole, or pour until fluid is just short of the large hole. THAT's IT! You'll discover that your cartridge live has extended from 5 weeks to 8. Moreover, there is still enough residual lubricant and lemon smell. At the end of the year, you've saved about 25 bucks.

@@JimInNashville Putting the cap on a container is hardly "a lot of additional work".

​@@datmeme8967 You have to wait until the cycle ends, remove the shaver, ideally remove power, press the button, carefully slide out the cartridge, and put on the cap. Then, when you want to clean, you reverse that process. Notice, then, that each time you want to do a cleaning, you (a) put the cartridge back in, and (b) take it back out about 50 minutes after cleaning. You will save money -- the question is, how much? If you start the cleaning and leave for work, then the cartridge has been in the unit for 10 hours by the time you get back to remove it. You haven't stated how much longer a cartridge lasts, or what your cleaning frequency is, so it is not possible to quantitatively evaluate your proposed method.

@@JimInNashville You don't have to wait for anything. Go about your business and later in the day when you go back in the bathroom, cap the reservoir. You don't sit there and watch the cleaning cycle.

@@datmeme8967 Thanks for your comment. You do have to "wait until the cycle ends." I never said you had to stand there watching. But note, the "evaporation time" increases, the longer you "wait". It should be possible to compute how much solution evaporates during the cleaning cycle, vs. how much evaporates "at rest." This would then give us a good idea how much money can be saved by removing/covering the cartridge for various schedules. Just for example, suppose you clean your razor after every shave, as Braun recommends, and you shave every day. In this case, you have, each day, A + B * (u/23) loss, where A = amount lost during a 1 hour cleaning cycle, and B = amount lost through evaporation per uncovered 23 hours, and u is the number of hours uncovered. So, for example, if you come back 10 hours later, you would have A + (10/23)*B loss. Since total loss is about 2g per day, it strikes me that a person who shaves every day would be unlikely to increase the life of the cartridge very much. On the other hand, if you only shave every 3 days, this method might save you $40 a year and substantially increase the life of the cartridge.

how many times i can ues the same water and when i know its redey to use after ?

@@yakiraloni8027 no you need fresh water like distilled or purified in cartridge. Correction to my original comment: 200 ml is 6.75 fl oz

Note that you should be careful when making DIY cleaning solutions for Braun shavers. There's a portion of the shaver body near the head that is painted plastic, and repeated exposure to harsh cleaning solutions can make the paint separate. It won't affect function but the shaver starts to look shoddy.

​@@cytherians So I am not the only one with this flaw on the head of my shaver :) btw I use only the original CCR and the paint is gone :(

@@BB-we2fu How often do you use the cleaning solution? I use mine about once every couple of months. This is because I rotate shavers. But also, after running the cleaning cycle, I wipe down the areas that are exposed to the cleaning solution. Still looks like new.

Yo. That’s sick advice. Thank u!

Bad for busines :D

That's a really interesting thing about effectiveness of alcohol (70% vs 99%). Can you give me some reference?

@@gilsonquevedo3259 Thanks, Gilson. I too found this information both interesting and surprising!There are several references available, which all say essentially the same thing. Here are a couple. www.marthastewart.com/7796118/isopropyl-alcohol-percent-disinfectant-coronavirus-covid-19 blog.gotopac.com/2017/05/15/why-is-70-isopropyl-alcohol-ipa-a-better-disinfectant-than-99-isopropanol-and-what-is-ipa-used-for/ Here is a quote from one: =========== Isopropyl alcohol, particularly in solutions between 60% and 90% alcohol with 10 - 40% purified water, is rapidly antimicrobial against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Once alcohol concentrations drop below 50%, usefulness for disinfection drops sharply. Notably, higher concentrations of alcohol don’t generate more desirable bactericidal, virucidal, or fungicidal properties. The presence of water is a crucial factor in destroying or inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms with isopropyl alcohol. Water acts as a catalyst and plays a key role in denaturing the proteins of vegetative cell membranes. 70% IPA solutions penetrate the cell wall more completely which permeates the entire cell, coagulates all proteins, and therefore the microorganism dies. Extra water content slows evaporation, therefore increasing surface contact time and enhancing effectiveness. Isopropyl alcohol concentrations over 91% coagulate proteins instantly. Consequently, a protective layer is created which protects other proteins from further coagulation. Solutions > 91% IPA do kill bacteria, but sometimes require longer contact times for disinfection, and enable spores to lie in a dormant state without being killed. In this analysis, a 50% isopropyl alcohol solution kills Staphylococcus Aureus in less than 10 seconds (pg. 238), yet a 90% solution with a contact time of over two hours is ineffective. Some disinfectants will kill spores, which are classified as chemical sterilants. So why do higher alcohol solutions yield fewer results for bactericidal and antimicrobial outcomes?

@@JimInNashville Thank you, really amazing. That's why one of my favorites quotes is this one: "Whether outwardly or inwardly, whether in space or time, the farther we penetrate the unknown, the vaster and more marvelous it become" Charles Lindbergh

99% didn't work for me as it's not conducive enough to make the light goes off :(

@@excessnet Thanks for the *very* relevant comment. Pure alcohol is very nonconductive. The question is, do the "additional ingredients" yield the conductivity required, or is the water (listed on the Braun ingredients sheet) the factor? Also, do all the CCR stations use the same method to decide when to turn on the red light? I plan to experiment a bit with this, simply out of curiosity. (The cost of the cartridges is trivial, but the environmental savings are potentially high.)

Jonathan can you use bio ethanol alcohol??

Are u using this method how r the reults

Did you use wahl hair clipper oil for solution preparation? Can you share composition of the solution?

@@varunsidana1453 : sure, happy to. 16 oz of isopropyl alcohol + 1 oz Wahl hair clipper oil. That's it. I could include in some foo-foo juice for smell/aroma, but not really concerned about that. That mix should get you 3 refills. Make sure to do the cleaning of the container between refills. Note that I elected to go with 91% Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) as I feel the high percentage of water in the video is not going to do much for cleaning. It does evaporate (like the alcohol in the OEM), so you will see the level drop after a few weeks, but that is a good reminder to get the tray cleaned out.

I use a little baby oil, read it somewhere and its cheap

@@kjm2199 I have yet to squeeze enough oil from a baby for this to be useful. Maybe I'm squeezing the wrong babies.

Hello same thing what happen to me bit unfortunately still the same. I plug in and plug out and hold the power button try to reset but not doing anything. Any tips? Thank you

This has also happened to me I even replaced the first unit thinking it was defective but now the second one is doing the same thing is there a solution to this problem?

Sa,e problem! Any solution?

Tap water slowly oxidizes the blades same as w/ disposable blades. Distilled (not to be confused w/ filtered water), does not cause metal to rust. This is why it is highly recommended that you use distilled water in an iron, clothes steamer and in this case the Braun reservoir. Unless your using distilled water in the water pic, you are shortening the sharpness of the blades and will need to buy replacement heads months sooner.

depends how much you shave. just open the top of the razor up right after you shave if you have a ton of hair or like once every 5 shaves. If its dirty dump it out and rinse it then use the machine.

The frequency of use depends on how much shaving you have. Everyone is different. I clean mine about once a week and I don't have that much hair. As to replace the solution, I just wait until the red light comes on and that's usually about 5-7 weeks. The cartridge stays in the station, so I don't put the cap on.

@@SimpleDIYMedia I have used one of these Braun series 7 shavers, since 2017. I have found the following tips useful:- I shall explain quite extensively how I use that station and shaver, as this might help people! 1) keep the cap! I usually run it 3 times/week, cap goes on after it has completed cleaning cycle. 2) after I have shaved, I take the head off and tap both the head and the shaver into the sink, to get a majority of the loose hair out, this saves on the amount of cleaning the station has to do, mine is the midrange series 7, so it has the 3 cleaning modes, but unlike the top of the range one, I don't think it automatically selects the right mode (apparently only the 790cc cleaning station does that, from memory?) My station still shows which clean the shaver requires (one, two or three drops lights on the display) 3) from using my series 7, I have realised the longer you run the shaver, the quicker the hygeine level goes down on the display, I would say with the midrange cleaning station I have, this is how the cleaning station determines which cleaning program to use. As I have said above, the 790cc station, somehow does this differently. 3) I usually get 3-4 weeks, out of one cartridge, in Australia a 6 pack of these, are about AUD$60 I recently put a new cartridge in, and was shocked when it told me to change it, after about 10 cleans, most of these were the most intensive clean though, hence why I am here! 4) isopropyl alcohol, is a little harder to find In shops over here, mainly supermarkets and pharmacies (I work in a pharmacy) have "isocol" which is about 400mls. You can readily get it online from cleaning places etc, I am just pointing out for some reason it isn't as available as other countries. 5) I made a solution today, using the formula one of the other commenters used, a 1/3 alcohol, to 2/3 water mix. I could only get teatree oil, so I added that, and a few drops of my old Panasonic lubricant oil, from my previous electric. The oil being quite thick, ofcoarse didn't mix well, the tea tree oil seemed to mix better. I shaved and ran shaver, station detected it as a full cartridge, I did use a Pyrex jug as well, to get the measurements as close as I could get them. Only downside, of the teatree, is the quite strong odour, but I will just go on the hunt for essential oils I hope this post, helps other commenters in regards to using the cleaning station, and the formula.

Thanks. Are using 99%, 90%, or 70%?

@@JimInNashville 91%. It doesn't leave the shaver dry like a OEM fluid. It's still wet. But it's cleaned, sanitized and lubricated. I imagine if you use a higher % of alcohol it would come out dry. Though. And I put the cap back on container so it last much much longer.

YOU'LL ADD WHAT?

Good point about the lubricating oil, and something I really think everyone should be adding to their mixture. That said, turbine oil? I'm having a giggle at that. I imagine you just had it around and it'll work fine, but they make hair clipper oil that I use hah.

Damn jet jock.

You can make your own distilled water easily, just boil water and then trap the steam and collect it. You won’t need much for a cartridge

The solution must have the lowest possible electrical resistance. In my station, if I don't turn on the tap water, it appears that I don't have a solution. It is possible that isopropyl alcohol and distilled water have a higher resistance and then use tap water. I use 99% isopropyl alcohol - 165 ml, water - 35 ml and a concentration of about 80% results.

No, you want a weaker isopropyl alcohol. It does NOT need to be strong. This is not cleaning off grease, but packed in whisker debris. A very strong alcohol can degrade plastic finishes on the shaver unit.

Any essential oil is good for lubrication.

@aurance I use my 9376cc about 2x per week. I alternative between using it, and using traditional wet shaving ( double-edge razors ) techniques. So for me, it takes a looong time for the Braun cartridge to need refilling. I may try this method eventually, as I do like DIY projects, but most likely will just buy the 4-pack of Braun replacement cartridges when they are needed. 🙂

I’m not sure how you arrived at your math. If four of them cost a total of $20, and one cartridge lasts an average of 3 to 4 weeks, which is the case with me, then we are spending at least five dollars or more per month on new cartridges. It’s doubtful anyone is getting more than five or six weeks at most from one cartridge. Probably less.

@@MountainMan78230 Like I said, going off of 1 per 3 months. YMMV, I don't know your face.

I bought the costco version 9310cc and the cleaning system has only max setting and the cartridge lasts 18-20 days. Will try this.

@@sweetvikas27 I have the same, your cartridge is likely just evaporating and sealing the cartridge between uses should work. Unless by 18-20 days you mean you're using it every single day. If you are and you prefer the feel then you do you. But I've only needed to clean it once a month, and I also don't shave every day (but my beard hair is coarse and thick so I do need to clean it every few uses). I've had my same cartridge for 4 months now and am just starting to think about replacing it.

You don't have to put oil if you don't want to. But the alcohol must be diluted.

Yes it’s possible to clean with a brush but the brush doesn’t get deep into the cartridge so you must tap the bottom of the cartridge in the sink to get all of the hair out. I do this whenever I’m traveling and it works well overall though I prefer the convenience of the cleaning station.

Вода из-под крана оставляет минеральный осадок после высыхания, а так же приводит к появлению ржавчины. И то и другое тупит лезвия.

There is a sensor that checks the density of the fluid in the cartridge. If it senses only alcohol, it will give a red light. You can try filling the top of the cartridge with some water and see if the red light clears when you press the clean button.

@@SimpleDIYMedia my razor is no longer taking cleaning fluid up. what do i need to repair/replace - razor, base \, what??? thank you

The beard "scum" will be washed out. The shaver pulls liquid from the large hole, which has a fine screen, and the returning liquid -- which contains the beard trimmings -- goes back through the small hole. So when you wash the container, empty it via the small hole.

WIth my last two electric shavers I was always getting skin issues and wondered if it was because the shaver blades were getting dirty. Don't have that problem now but not sure if it is the braun shaver (s7) or the cleaning station but going with both for now.

The cleaning station cleans and lubricate the head, making it lasting much longer. Save money, the heads are expensive. I never replaced the head on my previous shaver I had for at least 10 years !

@@RickRad09 Good to know. Now I've had it well over a year and I have used the station a few times. Not each time, I still just wash it and let it dry after most uses. But probly every month or two, or before I travel I will run it through the washing/lube station. I keep that in the closet and just pull it out when I want to run it, and also still have the original cleaning/lube fluid. I just remove it and put the caps back on. I think it will last forever. Short verdict: I do now think the razor benefits from an occasional cleaning with this solution as it also lubricates. I do notice a slight difference in feel afterwards when using the shaver.

The cleaning base has a sensor to detect the density and level of the fluid. If it senses mostly alcohol, it will give you a red light. You can top off the fluid with some water and see if that clears it.

Thanks!!!

If you still getting the red low fluid indicator (even after the refill), then just add some water to the cartridge to clear the sensor.

@@SimpleDIYMedia Thank you. it's just a flashing blue light. tried filling liquid with different measurement but didn't help

How would they know? Just make sure it’s clean before a tarantula claim

Kinda of lost me. But if you mean when it turns on and see 4 White lines. That is how much battery it has. If it shoes a red piece on the left side the cartige aka the clesr plasitic container. The colors on the video sre oils for just to have a smell nice. Heard you need to add a bit of oil to keep it nice and oilef up. Before any kind of product. Allways let it fully charged completely before the firdt use.

Yeah how do I fix that?

@@arkadyavizbakiyev7036 wrote to many platforms and could not find a solution. I will write if I solve the problem

Some colorant? Because this solution is transparent.

Did anyone solve blinking red light issue?

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В обще, под землю.

How many drops of mineral oil do you use?

why "food grade" you're not eating it LOL

He added essential oil. That would do the lubrication job.