Braun Clean & Renew Refills (3 Pack) Reviews

• Works great but pricey

  
  By APQ40CP082QP2 on 2004-04-03
  You don't HAVE to use the cleaning function of the Braun. You can use it like any other shaver and clean it with a brush. But if you don't mind paying ~$60/year on these refills, then the cleaning system works great. I hope eventually someone decides to make generic versions of the refills or sells the fluid only so we can refill them (like they do with inkjet printer cartridges). I would NOT take the advice of the guy who recommended using alcohol and lemon juice as a refilling liquid. Lemon has sugar (and other impurities) in it, and alcohol doesn't have lubricating agents and may strip the lubricating that the blades need.
  
  Cleaning every other day may seem like a money-saving idea, but I have found that even if you don't use it for weeks, the cleaning fluid still evaporates and you have to replace it almost as frequently, so I figure I might as well get the benefit of cleaning rather than let the stuff just evaporate away.
  
  I hope Amazon starts selling these things directly since buying it from J&R is not a good deal because of the shipping charges. Instead, go to Walgreens or some other store that sells the shaver system, and buy it there. BestBuy.com sells it for the same price with free shipping. J&R's prices are regular street prices (not 50% off).
  
  

• Reuse cleanimg cartridges and my thoughts on the Braun

  
  By A2KLWYHJ26O2Z9 on 2003-09-02
  Over my lifetime I have had several other brands of electric shavers that provided 'acceptable' shaving closeness and lasting ability of the non-replaceable battery. It was time for yet another razor as my Remington's battery had finally died.

  This was several years ago when I first saw the Braun 7525 Syncro Shaver System with Clean & Charge Refills, I had to purchase it right on the spot.

  My first save with my new Braun Syncro Shaving System was the very best I had ever had with an electric shaver. But I wondered, "How long with this cutter provide a terrific result before it would be time to replace the cutting system". Would the foil last a month, three months ore have to be replaced every six months to a year? Four months later I was still getting the same level of closeness as the very firsts have. This is because the tiny hairs, dirt, and facial grease are never allowed to clog the pours in the foil or the cutter.

  One week passed and I realized that I was HOOKED on the built-in cleaning feature. As life would have it, the solution ran out, now was time to replace the cleaning cartridge. OUCH, these things are expensive!

  At these prices, a solution had to be found so that I (everyone) could stay out of the poor house. So I started to look for discount and generic cartridges in stores and over the Internet with no such luck. What else could I do but go ahead and pay those outrageous prices? NO. So I kept look for another solution to the problem at hand. It did not take long to figure out how to refill the cartridge thus saving me money! Below is the Easy Eight Step System to saving money you need to look inside the cartridge to see how much dirt, grease, and hair is in there. Do this by taking the cartridge out of the cleaning station and then look through the holes on the top of the cartridge.

  If the cartridge if completely full of hair and dirt, most likely you will have no option but to purchase a new cartridge. Of course, you could try the following steps and maybe you will gain some additional use before a replacement becomes required. poor any remaining solution down the sink by gently shaking the cartridge several ways. Don't rofget to protect your eyes when doing this. fill the cartridge with some warm water. It is best to use purified or reverse osmosis water, found in many stores for a dollar or so. USE WATER ONLY, gently swish the water back and forth for a few minutes. This will remove most of the facial grease and loosen the hair attached to the sponge-like dirt collector at the bottom of the cartridge
  , poor the water from the cartridge down the sink drain. Inspect the dirt collector to decide if additional cleaning with water is needed. Do this until you are satisfied with the level of cleanliness or conclude only a new replacement cartridge in needed. NEVER use anything other that water to clean the dirt collector
  , Once cleaned, shake the cartridge to remove any remaining water from inside. Put the cartridge upside-down on a folded paper towel and let the cartridge sit for a few hours. Then turn the cartridge upside right and let sit for a day or two until full dry on the inside
  , Fill the dry cleaning cartridge with Isopropyl alcohol between ¨ø and ¨ú up to the top. If you wish you cn add a few drops of real lemon juice to cover the smell of the alcohol and possible aid in the dissolving of facial grease Step Eight and Final Step. Place the cleaned and refilled cleaning cartridge in to the cleaning station and start using and enjoying the savings.

  I hope this helps everyone as this refilling method may become our only option should Braun discontinue the offering of new cleaning cartridges. Let's hope not!

  I wish you many more close, clean,and comfortable shaves using your Braun Syncro Shaver System. ----Michael, Florida, USA

  PS: I do not work for Braun nor do I know any persons that work for the company.
  
  
  

• Serve their purpose...

  
  By A1LF5ZC278YTKS on 2002-03-22
  These refills do exactly what they are supposed to do, as you can read in the product description.

  I have found no noticeable difference by cleaning my shaver every other use instead of every time. I have owned it for almost a year now. This is a good way to get twice the life out of the refills. They also seem to last longer than the 30 uses stated.

  Also, these things are very easy to spill when installing. Be careful!

  Finally, I'd recommend stocking up on them if you like the shaver because with products like these, you never know when the manufacturer will stop production thus rendering the shaver obsolete.
  
  

• Here's how to make a refill last six months

  
  By A2QEDBIQ1G1LX2 on 2004-06-27
  I've owned a Braun Syncro for about a year and a half now. It's the closest shave I've ever had without cutting myself, and that includes the new triple blades. But those refills are pricey. Another Amazon review gave me a clue as to how to make each cartridge last six months. Here's how: Clean your razor once a week instead of every day. Between cleans, remove the cartridge from the cleaning machine and reseal the cartridge with the original plastic tab. No more evaporation problem. I've been very happy with the results.
  
  

• Do you have extra money?

  
  By A2J7L1GOC2XKLG on 2005-02-18
  A box of 2 cartridges is available for $8... Do the math, and a box of 12 cartridges shouldn't cost more than $48...
  Who wants to pay $11 extra???
  
  
• Throw away the little brush
  By A3PGGI7A6XCNF1 on 2001-04-10
  There were two things I always disliked about electric shavers: they didn't cut close as a blade, and they required regular cleaning with that annoying little brush. The new Braun shaver, which I've reviewed also, is an excellent device, and the shave is quite comparable to a blade. This handy little item, of course, solves my other pet peeve, the claeaning part. Every morning when I finish shaving, I just put the shaver in the attachment, and it does its magic. No muss, no fuss, and no little brush! The next morning the shaver is ready for use again, and there's a pleasant lemony smell to it, which I like. As long as I can continue to get these refills (and they tend to be hard to find at times), I will continue to use this shaver, and continue to love it.
  
  
• Works like it should.
  By AYIN15IMS9LG8 on 2006-02-27
  If you want to make the most of this product, do not clean your razor every day. It is not necessary. After you shave, shake the razor over the waste basket gently and it will remove some hairs. Then clean the razor every third day. I started useing my 8595 razor on Dec. 10th following this technique and I just ordered replacement cartridges.
  
  
• shave like new all the time - for a price!
  By AMN6V9MILDMA9 on 2004-07-27
  I typically use the cleaning solution twice a week; once on a Monday after a 'heavy shave' (I can't be bothered shaving at the weekend!) and once at the end of the week. Anything more than that is unecessary, I find.
  But when you do use it - oooh that next shave feels so good and smells fresh. It's like using a new shaver. So why don't I use it every day? I don't think its worth the money - these things aren't cheap and, rather disappointingly, I'm not a millionaire, so having the 'new shaver' feel every day isn't justified.
  And another tip: if you can be bothered, you can remove the solution after each use and re-plug it to avoid evaporation of the solution - which makes it last even longer. But that's all a bit too much effort for me...!
  So, Braun - stop charging so much for a simple alcohol solution and design the cleaner to automatically 'plug' the solution when its not in use to prevent evaporation, and you'll earn that last star!
  
  Happy shopping
  JB
  
  
• Great product, bad price
  By A198CCH4NNLI2E on 2006-04-14
  I have this razor, and love it and the cleaning system. But does Amazon take us for fools? They are selling this three-pack for more per unit ($4.33 per) than the two-pack ($3.99 per). Hopefully they'll lower this price instead of raising the other one...
  
  
• Beware !!
  By on 2004-05-03
  I bought this item. The ad says box of 12 refills and pictures 12 refills (each refill is a set of 2 cartridges) so I expected to receive 24 cartridges. However I received a box of 6 refills, each refill a set of 2 cartridges, for a total of 12 cartridges. If you read the description below it does say 12 cartridges, but they picture 12 refills not 6. I am contacting Goodman's and Amazon regarding what I feel is misleading advertising.
  
  
• This cleaning fluid is a must for the Activator shaver
  By A62JN3WLP8S6M on 2006-07-21
  I bought a Braun Activator shaver because I was tired of nicks, cuts, and irritated skin. I had tried electric razors in the past but they never did a good job shaving and were always a pain to keep clean.
  
  This cleaning fluid for the Activator shaver is a must! The self cleaning system makes it very quick and simple to keep the shaver clean and running good.
  
  I typically run the cleaning step every other day, shaking out the shavings on the off days. This helps the cleaning fluid last a wee bit longer. The fluid lasts 2-3 months, with evaporation in the hot months shortening the life a little bit. The cleaning fluid leaves a slightly lubricating film on the shaver which helps it glide smoothly across the skin.
  
  You can buy a 2-pack of refills in store at Target for $12, or you can get a 3-pack here at Amazon for the same price, plus no sales tax. The math is simple.
  
  
• Misleading title and item is overpriced
  By A23H4BL159WJ4Q on 2006-09-01
  The title of the item says, "Braun CCR2 Syncro Shaver System Clean & Charge Refills BOX OF 12", i.e. you will be given 12 CCR2 boxes, which contain 2 refills each, totalling to 24 refills.
  
  However, description of "Product Features" further explains the following, contradicting the title: "Six boxes of 2 cartridges each. Total 12 individual cartridges."
  
  As others have suggested, buying 6 counts of CCR2 is cheaper than buying this pack. Beware and read other reviews.
  
  
• Retails for $19.99? Where and since when?
  By A1M0VEHPQMUXW7 on 2003-12-01
  I've been buying the two cartridge refill set - CCR2 - at retail from Bed Bath and Beyond for $9.99 throughout the year. What's all this about "saving" $10.00?
  
  
• Braun Promotion
  By A1O1UC6J6Q70GO on 2005-01-19
  I just got the 8585 for christmas and am pleased with it and the cleaning system. Cost of cartridges is a little high I think. Here is a web site where Braun is offering 10% off 6 Clean & Charge Refills (12 cartridges), 53.95 instead of 59.94. There was $7.15 cents shipping for me. http://www.theessentials.com/store/lp_braunreg.asp
  
  
• Cartridges are a waste of money
  By A214GDUFBAL3S6 on 2007-04-24
  I've kept my Braun shaver running clean for 2 years and I've NEVER bought refill cartridges. Why? Because the cleaning fluid is nothing but blue-dyed denatured alcohol that you can get for 4 dollars a QUART at a hardware store or Wal-Mart. I've bought one can so far. Dump your dirty cartridge and rinse with water a few times, refill with denatured alcohol. They probably tell you not to refill because the stuff's flammable and it eats up a big chunk of their business if you're not buying cartridges.
  
  
• Be careful of shipping charges
  By AFWDZD2ZWYEBF on 2005-02-22
  I just placed an order for these as part of a larger order. When I looked at my shopping cart I saw that not only does this item not qualify for SuperSaver shipping, but it is back ordered into April (over a month), and the shipping charges are over $11.00 on a $7.99 item. At almost $19.00 and a months wait, no thank you.
  
  
• Does the job, just not eco-friendly; Amazon improved shipping costs
  By A15DU8QZDB5PR8 on 2005-06-29
  Well I've had my 8595 for over 3 weeks now and it looks like the solution is getting pretty dirty. If you read my review on the 8595 you'll see I'm only cleaning it once a week and doing the reseal-the-cleaner-with-plug trick.
  
  The solution is not evaporating as I expected, but even with all the wiskers trapped in the filter, the solution itself is getting darker. I was hoping it would last longer, but it appears the only way to do that is to manually clean out the head before you drop it into the charger for auto-cleaning.
  
  So I've given in, I just bought Qty 3 of this item... good enough for 6 months. As someone else commented earlier, you'll basically wind up spending $60 a year using one refill per month. That boils down to $5/month. You have to decide if $5/month is worth your time and effort to clean your shaver (even once a week) plus knowing that the cleaning solution has removed the oil and bacteria off the head and foil to minimize infection or in-grown wiskers.
  
  Given the cost of gasoline and food nowadays, $5/month isn't too bad to me. BUT the refills are not eco-friendly. If Braun would get smart and sell a refill kit which came with a quart or two of solution and replacement filters, I'd buy that. At least you could reuse the container over and over. Just toss out the dirty filter and solution when it's time.
  
  I read up on all the alcohol, lemon extract, silicon oil refill tricks, but they don't address the filter problem unless you backwash the container. It was at that point I realized the time to rejuvenate the refill would equal the time I'd spend just to manually cleaning the head.
  
  BTW, it looks like Amazon has fixed the shipping problem someone noted earlier. Each of these items can be shipped for 50 cents. So if you ship Qty 3, it's $1.50 for shipping, Qty 6 is $3.00, etc. So my hats off to Amazon for reading the comments here and making the shipping reasonable. I did my order on Amazon because it looks like on eBay, you only save about $2-$3 (depending on quantity) and some auctions claim their refills are old outdated stock. Probably nothing wrong with that since they are sealed, but for $2, I'll just buy here to get the fresh stock.
  
  
• Braun Shaver Refills -- DIY cleaning solution
  By A1AG98QHX5REJ0 on 2006-05-04
  I've been using the Braun 7526 shaver and cleaning stand for 5+ years, and have found it to be the best balance of close shave with minimal irritation. I work in a chemistry lab so anytime I have a device that uses a "solution" I try to think how I can mimic it and save money and time. I make my own aftershave lotion by mixing rubbing alcohol + baby oil + water, mostly alcohol (17 parts), oil (3 parts), water (1 part), more oil if you want your skin to be softer, but it will shine. Shake well before each use. For the Braun cleaning solution, be aware that the red light comes on due to the level dropping low; it has nothing to do with the amount of hair debris in the solution. Dump the remaining solution; add water through the small hole and shake well to get as much of the hair debris out of the container. I use two ingredients in the solution: rubbing alcohol and finger nail polish remover (non-drying lemon scented). The volume of the solution is a little less than 6 ounces, but I make a mark on the side using a Sharpie when the container is new, and just fill to that level each time. Just add a couple ounces alcohol through the small hole (I got a small funnel at a hobby store), add a tablespoon (15 mL) of polish remover, slosh to mix, then add alcohol to the mark being sure the container is on a level surface. You can try to mix or let the shaver mix it when it recirculates. The polish remover is good at removing the oils left on the cutter/foil, and the non-drying formula leaves a trace of oily ingredient that seems to help lube the shaver as well. Use at your own risk.
  
  
• Well worth it..
  By A18J0GV2ESKOQ5 on 2004-05-29
  I have read the reviews of these replacement cartridges for a razor that, in my opinion, shaves better than a blade and the biggest gripe seemed to be the cost. Yes, seemingly a bit pricey but, after shaving with a Mach 3 Turbo prior to this, I am certain that I spent much more in a year on blades. This razor can be used without the "clean and charge" system but everyone seems to love that feature and wouldn't want to give it up. I always shaved with a blade after trying a number of electric razors; however, after being placed on the drug Coumadin, I had to go to an electric razor. I won't go back. Five bucks a month for a cartridge beats at least 10 dollars a month in blades and it is much quicker and more effective. If the cost of the razor didn't prohibt a customer from purchasing it, why complain about 5 bucks a month. You can still clean it with the brush if you like...
  
  
• Great Product, Super Price
  By A2MOD50IHEDH3G on 2006-08-08
  Now that Amazon has lowered the price to less than $4 each, this is a very good deal. Better than you can get at Target, Walmart, etc.
  
  I think these refills make the Braun Syncro shaving system the best out there. Nothing like a fresh, lemony, sanitary shave every morning. I have noticed an improvement in my complexion since going to this system.
  
  So far my refills have been lasting 5-6 weeks each, which helps to increase the value and lower the cost.
  
  
• misleading description - Overpriced for 12 cartridges!
  By A171GRPLEO624X on 2007-07-20
  Received the package which ONLY contains 12 cartridges in total (NOT 24 as per my expectation).
  
  The title is clearly misleading as it says "..Charge Refills BOX OF 12". 1 Box should contain 2 cartridges.
  
  Anyways, consider this as rip off as much more expensive than other offers.
  Overpriced item! BE AWARE!
  
  
• Great Shaver...Rip OFF for Refills
  By A1O0UZWSZPRNLJ on 2004-02-22
  It is indeed a great razor as others have mentioned. However the price of the refills is amazingly high. It's a hunk of plastic filled with alcohol and a touch of fragrance. Worth a few bucks at the most. They already comand a pretty good price for the razor. At 5 bucks or more a cartridge that last a matter of a couple of weeks that's too much. Manufacturers need to be a little more reasonable when they sell a product that requires a fairly frequent replacement. Four and a half stars for the razor. One and a half for the alcolol = 3 stars.
  
  
• Love this system!
  By A1377U57Q49K64 on 2004-12-18
  I have had my Syncro Shaver System for about a year now and love it. Like all the rest these refills are a bit pricey. I stretch them by not cleaning eveyday and I refill ea cartridge 2x before replaceing. I have found that the green rubbing alcohol works great! It contains oils and a fragrance.
  4 stars because of cost and Braun's locking out aftermarket suppliers (jeeze do they think they are HP!)
  
  
• Works Great with my Activator 8585
  By AZZA7IQWTXCH3 on 2005-03-03
  This stuff keeps my electric razor nice and clean. The lemony smell is present, and the razor head is still pristine a month later. If I travel for a few days without the base to clean the razor, I'm more likely to get razor burn on my face and neck. After a good cleaning cycle, the razor works like it's brand new! Given the choice, I'd rather use the cleaner every day instead of less frequently.
  
  I'm not sure why people are trying their darndest to conserve the refills. Braun expects them to last about 30 days. My charging base still says "Full" and about 3/4 of the liquid is left. Hopefully I will get 2 or 3 more weeks from it since the "Half" light hasn't come on yet.
  
  I'd probably spend as much in Mach 3 Turbo blades and shaving gel over the time I expect the cleaner to last. When I factor in the convenience of the electric razor and benefits of keeping it clean, this seems like a great product for me.
  
  
• Re-cap the fluid
  By A3URET4D38OFRL on 2005-09-02
  I make the cleaner last longer by removing and re-capping it. I only clean when I charge the battery, about once every 1 - 2 weeks.
  
  
• Great Shaver but missing advertised refills
  By AENJZZ3B5JN9D on 2006-10-20
  Received shaver and it is wonderful. So smooth and improved over my existing Braun that I thought it was not cutting. But it was!
  
  Received shaver as promised but the advertised refills were not in the shipment. Refills arrived in separate shipment. Would rate this a 3 star based on performance.
  
  
• great...
  By A3D9M9AWSR4W4B on 2007-07-15
  Get one of these, then get some 90% isopropyl alcohol from your pharmacy for pennies, then keep refilling it. Of course, you should not follow my advice since it is against what Braun recommends, so please ignore my silly suggestion. It appears that my shavers never read Braun's warnings because they just keep getting clean, keep smelling good, and keep working despite my illegal activities.
  
  
• Great solution
  By AUDADSQUCQ4QI on 2005-01-26
  This is cleaning solution for the Braun 7000 series.
  
  Since I only clean the shaver only two or three times a month, the solution that came with the shaver lasted one year. You do not have to clean the shaver after every use as long as you take the head off and blow the stubble off...that is what I do.
  
  The solution was easy to install, has a nice odor, and does a good job cleaning the shaver.
  
  However, word of caution, do not take the shaver out of the base before the cleaning process is done or you will have a wet, dripping mess. You will have to wipe off the shaver and the counter before you shave.
  
  
• How to make it last longer.
  By AZE7DX0MAJ7OM on 2006-08-13
  I got the first generation Syncro shaver cleaning systems when they first came out. I am glad the refill cartridges are the same for the second generation systems. The second generation systems are intelligent enough to automatically decide how intense a cleanning session your shaver needs. I think this also helps conserve the amount of cleaning fluid is used. Another way to make it last longer is not to clean your shaver after every use, but rather just once or twice a week. In between cleanings, or before extended absences, I pull out the refill cartridge and seal it to keep the fluid from evaporating while it is just sitting there. So make sure to save the cap so that you can reseal the cartridge!
  
  
• Refills are nice, but save your money and refill cartridge yourself.
  By A3K41WCS1IE87S on 2007-08-31
  Much as I enjoyed the thorough cleaning and fresh lemon scent, don't believe the hype about "special cleaning agents" and "blade lubricants"; these cartridges don't contain either. Want proof? Just read the cartridge packaging, each contains nothing but denatured alcohol and "fragrance".
  
  So save yourself a bunch of money and to to OSH or any quality hardware store. Buy a quart of Klean-Strip S-L-X Denatured Alcohol for less than $5, and every month or so shake the old dirty alcohol out of the SMALL HOLE and refill through the LARGE HOLE. That way the bits of hair come out and the fresh alcohol rinses the filter clean. I've been doing this for about two years and it works great. Or, buy the Braun Refills if you think the lemon fragrance is worth $10 a month...
  
  

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