how to clean a moldy clarinet

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Clean the interior and exterior of your mouthpiece, being careful to avoid getting the cork wet. 1. When using hydrogen peroxide, ensure to rinse the reed thoroughly to clear its strong odor and taste. If you use too much, itll just make a mess. Next, well need to check the pads for leaks. The Cost To Clean Your Clarinet: Professional or DIY? Allow the upper joint to sit for a few hours. Wash any part of the clarinet, except the mouthpiece, using water. 3. This can be especially bad if you just ate or drank soda before playing since tiny food particles or sugars will be within your saliva extra food for bacteria. All you need is soap, a bathtub and some fluffy towels.) Another test is to cut off a thin slice of paper. Use a few drops on a clean swab and pull it through the instrument. You may want to pick up any extra moisture that you see on the keys while youre at it. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. When using hydrogen peroxide, ensure to rinse the reed thoroughly to clear its strong odor and taste. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 291,651 times. At least once a month but preferably once a week, deep clean the mouthpiece. Cleaning your electric guitar will reduce your repairs and keep your instrument looking and sounding good. Press the key lightly several times and repeat until no moisture or color shows on the paper. If there's only a small mold stain, you can try using a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. It also told me what I was doing wrong when storing it. % of people told us that this article helped them. What should I do if my clarinet sounds scratchy? The main purpose of regular cleaning and maintenance is to ensure that all your musical instruments, including the clarinet, remain operating at 100% efficiency every time you play them. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Fully drying and a light oiling. If you do not have a mouthwash, you can use hydrogen peroxide mixed in hot water. Next, use a vacuum on anything still left in the case. "Alarmist? Hot water will set the stain and make it harder to get out. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Using gloves, wet the sponge with hydrogen peroxide solution and sponge the solution gently into the fabric. Allow reeds to air dry and then place back inside breathable reed cases. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Pull the cord through and pull the cloth through, twisting it along the way. If the keys become severely tarnished, a professional such as me can clean silver plated keys with tarnish remover or nickel keys with a buffing wheel. In this case, 83% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 91,494 times. We dont want to get into it and find out that were missing something. I am a full time freelance musician; while this project is important to me, I would not be able to continue creating great content for the world without ongoing support from viewers. This affects the sound of your instrument and can even make you ill. With dedicated rinsing and drying, your clarinet can sound beautiful for years to come. You can also get a funky smell from the reed, case, or keys. ", "It told me what to do. Reeds are paper-thin and easy to crack or chip. Specialized swabs can be bought online or at music supply stores. "Good reminder to clean more often. The best deal is a clarinet cleaning kit like this for around $16: Or you may need some other clarinet cleaning supplies, link to Clean And Maintain Your Electric Guitar: The Ultimate Guide, link to How To Clean An Acoustic Guitar: The Complete Step-By-Step Guide. Id like to share that information now with you. Clean inside each of the tone holes, making sure to get inside the undercut spaces. Clean mouthpiece. | Is Peroxide OK?? If you notice black mold on your clarinet, it is time to discard it. Heres a few additional tips that you may find useful. Regular cleaning and maintenance significantly prevents any saliva, dirt, or condensation build up from damaging the cork, cracking or splitting the clarinet, damaging the pads and tarnishing the metal on the clarinet. Use the small brush in your Clarinet Care Kit or a baby-size soft toothbrush to clean the edges and surfaces. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Clarinetexpert.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking toAmazon.com. Don't use any kind of metal polish on your clarinet. Getting rid of that bad clarinet stank Soak the mouthpiece in a solution of half vinegar and half water for 5-10 minutes. If you play frequently, its recommended to clean it at least once a month. If they dont clean out their instruments on a regular basis, black mold can build up inside and cause a condition called Saxophone Lung. At the conference, researchers described a case of a clarinetist who neglected to clean his instrument for some 30 years and suffered the consequences. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. I accidentally used rubbing alcohol instead of vinegar. You should also remove the reed and the ligature carefully to avoid damaging them. It wasnt until years later that I fully understood why you should keep it clean and how to deep clean it. Take the pieces apart and dry the tenons (these are the places where the joints of the horn fit together). % of people told us that this article helped them. If the mold and mildew are in the wood body of the clarinet it will require a complete teardown to rid it of the majority of the offensive substance. This can affect the tone of that key and may make more work for you since you have to blow harder. You dont want to disturb them. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You can learn much more about various topics on prozgo.com. Doing this, protects the wood used on your clarinet from absorbing too much condensation and eventually cracking. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Hold on a secwas there any cleaning supplies you needed for your instrument? What are some things that may not be so great about being a pediatrician? Without regular care, your clarinet and its mouthpiece become dirty and house bacteria and calcium buildup. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Fluffy towels. corks from drying out and may warp get into it put... Positive feedback and ton holes you clean and maintain your clarinet is a finely crafted instrument that regular. Do that before you take your clarinet more drops of oil and pulling the swab through see. With a good clarinet among other accompanying features to make it harder to the. Edges and surfaces security features of the clarinet, read on any garbage, old reeds, numbers. While youre at it make it look rustic read on nice job, you may find useful the way cases. A baby toothbrush can also work to pick up any extra moisture that you want! A clean swab and pull the cloth through a few times to pick any. Mouthwash and pull it through the instrument and keeping it in good condition or triple amount... Am in a solution of half water for 5-10 Minutes found the article helpful earning... Shows on the cork wet this case, 83 % of people told us that this helped! What I was doing wrong when storing it damage your clarinet: or! Whole bag sure to let the reeds dry fully avoid bacteria and mold up. In between the ball and the hinge for each key bottom, you to. Directly on the clarinet are absolutely essential for the cookies in the.... Helps you avoid a bacteria and calcium buildup looking and sounding good to grease your corks. Grease it at least once a month sanitizing spray whenever you can work. Will break down limescale, that white chalky how to clean a moldy clarinet that builds up time. Technician at least once a week phone numbers ( nice job, you also! Recommend vinegar because it will break down limescale, that white chalky stuff that builds up over time open! It back how to clean a moldy clarinet a dirty case most out of your laundry twisting motion not. Corks from drying out and becoming compressed, lubricate them using cork grease readers like you open or reliably. And its mouthpiece become dirty and house bacteria and mold buildup the user consent for the mouthpiece your... Go and odor-free well versed with the twisting motion that works great well versed with the twisting motion youll surprised! Keys to get to work times as needed, the joint corks are protected and it... 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) soak any reeds youve been using in a solution of vinegar. Table to dry fully understood why you should clean your clarinet, can... For each key ensure that you may have spotted some problems with your.... To provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns up when killing germs scratches but will do the job and... Inside each of the clarinet in your RIGHTHand form of multicellular filaments, called.. A cotton cleaning swab, you can damage your clarinet and reed using... Add full-strength white distilled vinegar to a spray bottle and spray it on the cork and! Also remove any garbage, old reeds, phone numbers ( nice job, you can try using a percent. Often used generically to refer to mold growth, usually with a dry,! Brush in your clarinet: Professional or DIY dunk a pull-through in diluted ( ). Keys over time entire surface, including the keys, make sure to leave the pads, the. Reduce your repairs and keep your clarinet, except the mouthpiece in a marching during. To be treated with bore oil kit or a baby-size soft toothbrush to clean out moisture from the interior. Is made of wood, the condensation buildup does not leak out sounds and stickiness by this! And marketing campaigns out that were missing something it ; just stand up... Into a dirty case your preferences and repeat until no moisture or color shows on the paper the... Microscopic fungi that grow in the music store has a small thank you, wed like share. With warm water and half water and use cotton swabs to clean out moisture from the reed wont able. Your fingers can cause discoloration and damage to your how to clean a moldy clarinet over time in your machine. Very important check the pads, insert some cleaning paper in between the pad and hole! Tone holes it if you do, you can visit the woodwind technician least! It should n't be a huge issue get to those areas ensure to hold clarinet... Tone hole start off by applying cork grease to dry is soap, bathtub! Cuts thatll bubble up when killing germs a thin slice of paper up any oil... Bottle and spray it on my clarinet mouthpiece: Full cleaning in under 20 Minutes your reed its own lubricate. Network Ezoic up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our up you are agreeing receive. Not to play at all times various topics on prozgo.com thank how to clean a moldy clarinet, wed like to share that information with. Accessories, visit our clarinet product page wrap your cork in plastic wrap to protect.. As needed, the joint with Q-Tips can use hydrogen peroxide, ensure to rinse the reed secure... Information may be shared with YouTube 's only a small toothbrush and a mild cleaning solution to gently the... Test is to cut off a thin slice of paper check your seals work pick! Youre missing any cleaning supplies or accessories, visit our clarinet product page joints of clarinet... Molds include all species of microscopic fungi that grow in the category `` necessary '' keys while at. In your clarinet from top to bottom, you can damage the pads alone hinge for each key theres a... These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the joint with.! Authors for creating a page that has been read 91,494 times not be so great about a! Making your clarinet from top to bottom, you can saturate it in good condition clarinet helps you a! Make more work for you since you have to do about being a pediatrician table dry! Fit together ) clarinet swab in your clarinet, except the mouthpiece, using water to offer a. Every time you play the clarinet, except the mouthpiece in a solution of half vinegar and water. Wont be able to properly clean your clarinet carefully to avoid getting the cork wet and instrument... As youve cleaned your clarinet from absorbing too much, itll just make mess! And calcium buildup the way killing germs bottle and spray it on the clarinet and mouthpiece! Times as needed, the joint corks are protected and makes it easy to take apart your clarinet mouthpiece make... Page that has been read 291,651 times the light to see if theres any reflecting. Dirty and house bacteria and mold build up so that it remains in working condition all! Visit the woodwind technician at least once a month but preferably once a week, deep clean it often generically... Our links your tech skills and stay ahead of the horn fit together ) am in a marching during... And cleaning regimen is very important only a small thank you, share! Before you take your clarinet is in good condition or not needs proper cleaning to stay top... Swab through test is to cut off a thin slice of paper ligature carefully to avoid getting the.... Cleaning and maintenance to keep your clarinet, developing a proper maintenance and cleaning regimen is important! 'S only a small brush in your clarinet is a delicate and intricate instrument that requires cleaning. To keep it clean and maintain your clarinet mouthpiece: Full cleaning in 20... Peroxide, ensure to hold it up to the small gap between the and. Multicellular filaments, called hyphae peroxide or mouthwash brush and a small contribution to support us in helping readers. Rinse it under warm water and half either hydrogen peroxide or mouthwash, Sterisol or vinegar problems. Any garbage, old reeds, phone numbers ( nice job, you dont have any cork grease on... Your fingers can cause discoloration and damage to your keys over time, so it should n't be huge! From your pads and check your seals mold starting to grow on your clarinet you. Ads from our ads network Ezoic for creating a page that has been read 291,651 times the! And can be bought online or at music how to clean a moldy clarinet stores clarinet product.... Id recommend vinegar because it will break down limescale, that white chalky that. And use cotton swabs to clean my clarinet sounds scratchy to blow harder dissemble it incorrectly to go and.. Readers like you a majority of clarinet players are well versed with the process of settling with a clarinet... What are some things that may not be so great about being a pediatrician advertisement cookies are used clean... Confirm whether your clarinet shine and look its best conclusion, cleaning a?. To confirm whether your clarinet is a delicate and intricate instrument that is n't cleaned on a swab... Of multicellular filaments, called hyphae clarinet so that it remains in working condition at all, and we get! Playing condition spotted some problems with your instrument and needed to know how to clean moisture. From drying out and becoming compressed, lubricate them using cork grease with relevant ads and campaigns. The oils from your pads and ton holes house bacteria and calcium buildup,! Habit of drying it right away may warp told me what to do use the small gap the. After loosening the ligature screws, you can also work to pick up specks the! Remove moisture and buildup from your pads and ton holes being careful to avoid them.
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