# Modern technology: Why can't they make a shaving cream can that doesn't rust? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 14, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748 "2009-06-14T17:51:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![shallora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@shallora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shallora)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/1 "2009-06-14T17:51:16Z")
If we can put a man on the moon … Why hasn’t modern technology found a way to prevent shaving cream cans from rusting at the bottom? I mean what year is this anyway, 2009 or 1952? Go to your medicine cabinet. Pick up the shaving cream can (no matter the brand) and look at the bottom of the can. If it’s been in there for longer than a week, you will likely see the bottom of the can already rusting. Those of you who keep the shaving cream can on the counter: Pick up the can and look at the rusty ring it just left on the bathroom sink! Why can’t they manufacture a shaving cream can that doesn’t rust? ---
**Author:** ![ChrisBooth12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/2 "2009-06-14T18:12:52Z")
> [@shallora](#): > > If we can put a man on the moon … > > Why hasn’t modern technology found a way to prevent shaving cream cans from rusting at the bottom? I mean what year is this anyway, 2009 or 1952? > > Go to your medicine cabinet. Pick up the shaving cream can (no matter the brand) and look at the bottom of the can. If it’s been in there for longer than a week, you will likely see the bottom of the can already rusting. > > Those of you who keep the shaving cream can on the counter: Pick up the can and look at the rusty ring it just left on the bathroom sink! > > Why can’t they manufacture a shaving cream can that doesn’t rust? The answer the almost every “why” question is money. ---
**Author:** ![rolandgunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cdc98d/32.png) [@rolandgunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rolandgunslinger)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/3 "2009-06-14T18:28:28Z")
Written on the bottom of my can of shaving cream it clearly says “rust proof Bottom”. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/4 "2009-06-15T02:18:40Z")
> [@rolandgunslinger](#): > > Written on the bottom of my can of shaving cream it clearly says “rust proof Bottom”. You were able to read that despite the rust? ---
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/5 "2009-06-15T02:47:12Z")
> [@rolandgunslinger](#): > > Written on the bottom of my can of shaving cream it clearly says “rust proof Bottom”. Maybe they’re telling you _to_ rust-proof the bottom. A few sprays of Rust Check should do the trick. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/6 "2009-06-15T02:52:22Z")
Dry your shaving cream can after you finish shaving. Keep your bathroom countertop dry. Get a cup of shaving soap and a brush. ---
**Author:** ![Carlarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Carlarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carlarm)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/7 "2009-06-15T02:54:23Z")
One solution to the problem: Go to a pet store and buy one of those plastic covers for a very small can of cat food. It perfectly fits on the bottom of a can of shaving cream. This prevents the bottom of can from rusting. Another solution: Switch to old fashioned shaving soap in a mug and brush, available at [www.VermontCountryStore.com](http://www.VermontCountryStore.com) Whip up the shaving cream with the mug in a sink full of hot water and you get hot shaving cream to put on your face. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/8 "2009-06-15T03:04:44Z")
Buy the good stuff that comes in an aluminum can. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/9 "2009-06-15T07:35:01Z")
Or buy the gel that comes in a plastic tube. It works better and it doesn’t foam up, so it’s easier to see where you’re shaving. I use [this stuff](http://www.kmishop.com/AlphaGel-Shave-Gel-Anti-Bacterial-PUK_ASGASC/). ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/10 "2009-06-15T10:15:14Z")
The can is going to be thrown away anyhow when it’s empty. Is the extra cost of stainless worth having ? - the corrosion sounds like no more than irritating rather than hazardous ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/11 "2009-06-15T10:32:29Z")
Shave in the shower. No need for shaving cream ($$) and everything just goes down the drain without any fuss. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/12 "2009-06-15T12:11:30Z")
> [@Carlarm](#): > > Another solution: > Switch to old fashioned shaving soap in a mug and brush, available at [www.VermontCountryStore.com](http://www.VermontCountryStore.com) Whip up the shaving cream with the mug in a sink full of hot water and you get hot shaving cream to put on your face. Agreed. I’ve been using a mug for over a decade, and it is by far a better shave. It’s also a hell of a lot cheaper. The only time I use traditional shaving cream is when I travel. > [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Shave in the shower. No need for shaving cream ($$) and everything just goes down the drain without any fuss. That’s where I shave, as well- and I shave my head in addition to my face. The only downside is that I have to take longer showers- which, frankly, isn’t that much of a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/13 "2009-06-15T18:27:00Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Shave in the shower. No need for shaving cream ($$) and everything just goes down the drain without any fuss. Ow ow ow. Seriously? Maybe facial hair is that much finer than leg/underarm hair, but speaking as someone who’s occasionally shaved with just water when she was out of shaving cream, it doesn’t give \*nearly \*as good a shave. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/14 "2009-06-15T20:28:58Z")
[Edge saving gel](http://www.edgeshave.com/). The can does not rust. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-technology-why-cant-they-make-a-shaving-cream-can-that-doesnt-rust/499748/15 "2009-06-15T20:35:40Z")
Never mind the shaving cream can rusting. The WD40 can rusts. That is what really gets me.