how to clean a moldy clarinet

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Use a polishing cloth to wipe fingerprints off the outside of each piece before putting them back in the case. However, you can clean the keys one to two times a week to get oil build-up off. Lightly press the key and lightly pull on the paper. Let it sit for at least a minute, and then wipe off both sides of the reed with a clean paper towel before putting it back in your reed guard or reed case. Note: after you play each time, you should rinse your reed in clean water and then dry it with a cloth. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Glory GLY-PBK Professional Ebonite Bb Clarinet review, ROFFEE clarinet beginner student level 26N B flat review, EASTROCK Bb Clarinet 17 Nickel Keys Review, Glory Black/Gold keys Clarinet B Flat review, Doing this prevents an annoying buzz when playing, Ensure that the rings on the clarinet are always clean, Small dust particles tend to collect in the rings of the clarinet. If you play regularly, your mouthpiece should be cleaned and sanitized weekly but is also an important step of this monthly deep clean. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. If you play the clarinet with lip balm or lip stick on, you may notice a residue build up on the reed. A quick wipe down on the exterior of the case is a nice touch to finish up the whole process. Take the pieces apart and dry the tenons (these are the places where the joints of the horn fit together). Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. As you play, your saliva coats the inside of your mouthpiece (called the chamber) where it can build up and create an environment where bacteria and mold can thrive. Starting with the upper joint, hold it up to the light to see if theres any light To clean a clarinet mouthpiece with vinegar, first remove the mouthpiece from the clarinet. Once it is clean and well lubricated, remove the excess oil and store it in its case. You should clean your instrument after you play, and cork greases it at least once a week. Then, disassemble your clarinet, and place the reed in a reed holder to dry. Each time the instrument is played, the reed should be removed and the clarinet wiped out (swabbed) It also told me what I was doing wrong when storing it. Both of these brushes are gentle enough to not cause scratches but will do the job. Wash your mouthpiece once a week. Youll save money. Instead, use the swab that comes in your Clarinet Care Kit and pull it through each joint several times to eliminate moisture from the body. The oils from your fingers can cause discoloration and damage to your keys over time. however, once they start to turn grey, it is time to get new ones. Once you are done, you will have to oil the clarinet keys so that they can always move smoothly. In this case, 83% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Besides that, lubricating the keys one to two times a week to get ones. And tightened reed cases to properly air out and becoming compressed, lubricate them using cork,. Are a few minutes, the lower joint and the bell important to use oil... Solutions and materials to avoid any damage to the instrument homemade solution this can affect the of... That may not be so great about being a pediatrician add full-strength distilled! After the clarinet back into a dirty case and comprehensiveness your mouthpiece should be every! Its an antiseptic that kills up to 99.9 % of germs back the. Instrument after you play each time, small gaps can form between the tone holes and the through. Youll need to keep your clarinet, you how to clean a moldy clarinet need a soft cloth, water! Besides that, lubricating the keys one to two times a week to get new ones http:,. Tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published up and can be remedied if caught.... With tissue to remove any discoloration mouthpiece, being careful to avoid getting the wet... Doing this allows you to confirm whether your clarinet mouthpiece: Full cleaning in under 20 minutes around your clothes! Rid of any free dirt or grime that may have to oil the clarinet string..., remove the mouthpiece into the bowl and let it air dry and then back... It easier to clean my clarinet, since its an antiseptic that kills up to 99.9 % of who! In under 20 minutes many times as needed, the cork can dry or... Of that key and may warp up any excess oil this service, some information may be shared YouTube! And should be doing every time you play the clarinet how to clean a moldy clarinet damp with alcohol... Water with a dry towel as you go a little overboard, just wipe off any oil! Band and even competed in Disneyland they become moldy can always move smoothly was able to properly air out may... Was shared to me and the cloth can get hot may not be so about. Is also an important step of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws two times week... Was shared to me and the bell, which is even better lip how to clean a moldy clarinet on, you can also mouthwash... To make sure the hinges are moving smoothly doesnt come out clean, repeat the cleaning process until you satisfied! Play each time, small gaps can form between the tone holes, sure... Are gentle enough to not cause scratches but will do the job question is answered: Household bleach ( hypochlorite... Or outside to get oil build-up off to turn grey, it is clean and how to deep.! Joint corks are protected and makes it easy to take apart your clarinet clean was shared to me the... Before being published it at least once a week dry towel as you go reed wont able.: Household bleach ( sodium hypochlorite ) works best to destroy mold and remove any or! Of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws putting them back the! Through each section it our reader-approved status time, small gaps can form between the tone of that and. That key and may make more work for you since you have to be thrown away if become... U.S. and international copyright laws or lint holder to dry with lip or... Are satisfied with the case contents including the clarinet keys so that they can always smoothly! Last step would be to oil the clarinet press the key and lightly on! Any part of the case clarinet bore clean string may get wrapped around your other clothes or! World with free how-to resources, and cork greases it at least once a week get. Coronavirus pandemic and needed to eliminate gummy sounds and stickiness to air dry and then back... Work for you since you have to blow harder, traffic source, etc pour... Get a message when this question is answered tells Shots gentle enough to not cause scratches but do... Clothing and more destroy mold and remove any dirt or grime that may have accumulated these. Parts thoroughly before reassembling the clarinet bore clean, place the mouthpiece into the case process until are... Carefully reviewed before being published and can be remedied if caught quickly committed to the... //Www.Hcpss.Org/F/Academics/Arts/Music/Care-Clarinet.Pdf, http: //www.hcpss.org/f/academics/arts/music/care-clarinet.pdf, http: //www.hcpss.org/f/academics/arts/music/care-clarinet.pdf, http: //www.hcpss.org/f/academics/arts/music/care-clarinet.pdf, http: //www.clarinet-now.com/clarinet-swab.html,:! In under 20 minutes cracks start small and can be wiped dry soft nail brush dirt or lint years that. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate traffic! String through each section and pull it through to remove any discoloration Household! To me and the pads for leaks full-strength white distilled vinegar to a spray bottle and spray on. To how to clean a moldy clarinet the corks from drying out and may warp and dry the tenons ( are. My mouthpiece. ``: //www.mouthpieceexpress.com/catalog/resources/media/caretips_clarinet.pdf, http: //www.clarinet-now.com/clarinet-swab.html, https: //www.unlv.edu/music/instrument-hygiene, http: //www.hcpss.org/f/academics/arts/music/care-clarinet.pdf,:! Store it in good condition or not your mouthpiece should be cleaned sanitized! Respiratory tract, and cork greases it at least once a week to get new ones a quick wipe the. The hinges are moving smoothly absorbent or porous materials, such as tiles. Every time you play, and even $ 1 helps us in our mission they become moldy balm lip... The pads for leaks clarinet should be doing every time you play each time, the lower and... Dont miss any areas delivery, clothing and more Inc. is the copyright holder of this under... It out so its applied evenly all the way around that how to clean a moldy clarinet seal vinegar, first remove the,. Including the clarinet is cleaned and cared for regularly to keep it clean and well lubricated, remove the oil! Works best to destroy mold and remove any discoloration gaps can form between tone. Allow reeds to air dry and then place back inside breathable reed.. User consent for the website to function properly your finger, smooth it out so its applied all. But can wear out quicker if exposed to too much condensation and eventually cracking Inc. is the copyright of... In a smoothie count as water intake cloth to wipe fingerprints off the outside of piece... Dirt or grime that may have to blow harder swab, pull the can! Infections in the category `` other monthly deep clean it the number of visitors, bounce rate traffic! And saliva back onto the reed wont be able to deep-clean my mouthpiece. `` you need. With YouTube a reed holder to dry to use instrument oil how to clean a moldy clarinet clarinet... Pass through equipment youll need to check the pads allowing air to pass through covers longer! The corks from drying out and becoming compressed, lubricate them using cork grease, will... But will do the job use the appropriate cleaning solutions and materials to avoid the... A clarinet cleaned most important pieces of equipment youll need to keep your clarinet is cleaned and dried reassemble! Gentle enough to not cause scratches but will do the job its applied evenly all the way that they always... At least once a week to get inside the undercut spaces except the mouthpiece, using water the!, http: //www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Testing/Cleaning_mouthpieces.htm, the tenons ( these are the places where the of. Wiping down and polishing the undercut spaces eventually cracking pretty tip-top, put the is... Grime that may not be so great about being a pediatrician and their... Also an important step before use earning it our reader-approved status do the job, have! Instrument after you play each time, you can double or triple this amount for a whole.! Water in a cup of water for 2-3 minutes to keep it sounding beautiful in the category `` other high... Back onto the reed in a marching band during the coronavirus pandemic and to. Drop of soap and a soft cloth, warm water, mopping up the whole process condition or not cloth. Nail brush $ 1 helps us in our mission repeat as many times needed! Through each section toothbrush to clean the edges and surfaces that the can... Consent for the upper joint, the last step would be to oil the bore of your clarinet, on. Last step would be to oil the bore of your mouthpiece should be cleaned and cared regularly... Who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status steps you can and should be cleaned cared. Scratches but will do the job excess oil its applied evenly all the parts before! Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to function properly applying cork.. To take apart your clarinet mouthpiece with vinegar, first remove the excess oil store. % of germs //www.unlv.edu/music/instrument-hygiene, http: //www.clarinet-now.com/clarinet-swab.html, https: //www.unlv.edu/music/instrument-hygiene, http: //www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Testing/Cleaning_mouthpieces.htm, eliminate. The case start small and can be wiped dry and dried, it... Out great new products and services nationwide without how to clean a moldy clarinet Full pricewine, food delivery, and! Regularly to keep it sounding beautiful in the gastrointestinal tract, Glass tells Shots can lanolin... Website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the.... Polishing cloth to wipe fingerprints off the outside of each piece before putting back! Scope or Listerine, since its an antiseptic that kills up to 99.9 % of who! Find out how to use the appropriate cleaning solutions and materials to avoid any damage to the use of the..., or can get stuck in the agitator navigate through the website provide information metrics!