How to Shave Without Getting Hair Everywhere

Removing hair growth, either through manual shaving or trimming, can be a mess! The cleanup afterward can be a hassle. Hairs cling to the sink, speckle the counter, or worse, make a dash for your drain.

Is there a way to keep our shaving areas tidy and drains clear after trimming? A clogged drain is a hassle no one wants, especially when you're already admiring your freshly shaved look.

Read along as we break down the smartest ways to contain those stray hairs so you can enjoy your perfectly groomed look without the clean-up headache.

Removing Hair Without the Hairy Mess

First off, let's make it clear that when we say "shaving" in this guide, it means manual shaving (apply shaving cream) or trimming with clippers or trimmers because they're the methods that make a mess.

Most head shavers and bearded guys handle their business at the sink. If you're one of them, you know that it can turn into a mess quickly if you don't make the right moves.

Trimming your beard or shaving your head often means a hair blizzard. If you want to look like Lebron or James Harden without making a mess you can:

Shave with Electric Shavers

To remove hair without making a mess, using a foil or rotary shaver is a good option. They have hair-capture chambers that catch hairs, so there are no messy sinks or showers. You can easily empty the chambers like a tiny vacuum cleaner for quick cleanup.

Use a Trimmer with a Vacuum

If you didn't know yet, there are shavers with their own vacuum like the Remington 6000 Vacuum and Stubble Trimmer. It features a tiny vacuum that claims to suck up to 95% of trimmed hairs and keep them in a collection chamber. You can easily dispose of the trapped hairs in the trash.

You can check it out from our list of the best beard trimmers we've reviewed for you.

Dry Trim Over a Catch-All

If you're trimming a longer beard in your sink area, do it over something that will catch hair. You can lay out an old newspaper, a dedicated "shaving towel or an old blanket," or a beard bib or apron.

Some shave over a poster board, rectangular plastic bags, a round plastic bucket, a trash bag, or even a trash can that fits under their sink. One Reddit user put a trash bag around his neck, and it worked!

Shave Outside

Why not try trimming in your garden or back porch for a change? You'll get your daily dose of Vitamin D from the sun and won't worry about messing up your sink or clogging your drains. Just remember to bring a portable mirror with you so you can easily spot any uneven areas and tidy them up.

Shave in the Shower

Dry Trim in the Shower

One of the best ways to keep our hair from going wild is to shave in the shower without turning the water on. But before you protest, most trimmers aren't waterproof, and we usually dry-trim our heads and beards anyway. You can cover your shower drain with the catch-all stuff we mentioned previously and use a handheld vacuum to clean the hair afterward.

If you're worried about not seeing what you're doing while shaving, installing a fog-resistant shower mirror helps so you can see missed spots easily.

Wet Shave in the Shower (manual razors and waterproof electric trimmers)

If you're using a razor or waterproof electric trimmer, you can use the powerful shower jets to your advantage. Shave with the shower on and lead the hair clippings directly to your drain catcher or catch-alls, as we mentioned.

Rinse Shaver in a Separate Bowl

Using a bowl for cleaning off your sharp razor can help control mess in your sink area and bathroom and prevent clogged drains. This method keeps all those rinsed-off hairs from spreading all over.

How to Shave Pubes Without Getting Hair Everywhere

Shaving pubic hair can feel like a bigger mess, but the same hacks we mentioned above apply, plus a few considerations for hygiene and safety. Trim pubic hair over a catch-all (trash bag, newspaper, bath towel, etc.). It's better to have a dedicated trimmer for pubes. If you switch from different body parts, always clean and disinfect your blades to avoid cross-contamination. After trimming, you can finish off with your electric shaver if you prefer a closer finish.

How to Shave Body Hair Without Getting Hair Everywhere

Trimming body hair like your chest, back, arms, and legs produces larger amounts of hair but the same hacks we shared apply.

Don't Clog the Drain! Quick Tips

Hair can be a drain's worst enemy, regardless of where you shave. Here are some tips on how to prevent those nasty clogs.

Pour Hot Water with Dish Detergent

After shaving, flush the drain with warm water or boiling water and a dish detergent mixture. If you're using baking soda and white vinegar, they may work for minor/fresh clogs, like when shaving cream mixes with soap scum, oils, trimmed hairs, and other gunk. For grease-based clogs, dish detergent and hot water work better because they contain degreasers that help melt grease in your pipes.

Use a Sink Strainer or Drain Catcher

Using a drain catcher for your shower and sink strainer is a good preventive measure for catching stray hairs. These gadgets save you from clogged drains.

Clean with a Drain Auger

Regular cleaning with a drain auger can help keep your drains and pipes clog-free. Also known as a plumber's snake, augers can physically break down blockages and pull them out. It's your go-to when your baking soda and vinegar mixture won't work.

For more tips on shaving without clogging the drain, click the link to read our guide.

The Bottom Line

Keeping your shaving space hair-free doesn't have to be difficult. All it takes is smart habits and the right tools to keep your bathroom spotless. No more finding stray hairs clinging to your toothbrush or getting that "look" from your partner when they see a messy, hair-filled sink.

Apply the simple hacks we've listed, and you'll surely enjoy your freshly groomed appearance without the mess.

FAQs

Why do We Need to Clean our Hairs After a Shave?

Hair is one of the reasons why our drains get clogged. When they mix with soap scum, oils, and other debris, they form a sticky mess that adheres to our pipes and cause clogging nightmares. And who wants a sink area or bathroom that's a hairy mess?

How Can I See While Shaving in the Shower Without Water On?

Installing a fog-resistant shower mirror is key to seeing clearly while shaving in a dry shower. You can also use a small, handheld mirror to check tricky angles.

Do All Electric Shavers Prevent Mess?

No, only certain types of electric shavers are designed to minimize mess. Foil and rotary shavers usually have internal chambers that capture clipped hairs. Standard clippers and trimmers let the hair fall freely, requiring other containment methods.

Is it Okay to Flush Small Amounts of Hair Down the Drain?

While some shavers do this, avoiding flushing any amount of hair down the drain is best. Over time, even tiny hairs accumulate and combine with soap scum and grease, forming stubborn clogs.