how to clean a moldy clarinet

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Also, ensure to hold your clarinet carefully to avoid bending any keys in the process. You do not need to soak the rag thoroughly; just make sure there is a bit of vinegar that will transfer to the mold on the guitar. However I would recommend you clean the mouthpiece. Here are the 10 steps to properly clean your clarinet and then well go into each of these in more detail. So repeat the process with a few more drops of oil and pulling the swab through. Let it sit for at least an hour before wiping away mold. You can then remove the clarinet reed. Remove any garbage, old reeds, phone numbers (nice job, you!) This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. New (or recently replaced) tenon corks will need this more often. I'd dunk a pull-through in diluted (zero-alcohol) mouthwash and pull it through several times, rinsing until it comes through clean. WebAnswer (1 of 2): There is not much you need to worry about with the instrument itself. And now I know how to clean it. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Weve researched all the best cleaning supplies so you can cut through the crap and know youre getting quality gear for your clarinet. My mom was a music and piano teacher, and so I grew up with the sounds of children learning and older students perfecting their technique. What If You Dont? To clean it up, connect the lower joint, barrel, and upper joint then place a small amount of bore oil on a cotton swab and pull it through the instrument. You have come to the right place as I am going to tell you everything about, in a very simple explanation. Mix a solution of 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water, which can be sprayed directly on the mold. 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. Now that youve found the leaky pad, it may be time to service your clarinet with an instrument repair professional. 5 Can I use disinfectant wipes on my clarinet? You should clean your instrument after you play, and cork grease it at least once a week. ", "This website helped me find out how to clean my clarinet! Getting rid of that bad clarinet stank Soak the mouthpiece in a solution of half vinegar and half water for 5-10 minutes. Use a polishing cloth to wipe fingerprints off the outside of each piece before putting them back in the case. Or, you can find the clarinet accessories at your local musical instrument shop. Fortunately, it's easy to do preventative cleaning on your clarinet that can prevent build-up that would affect the instrument. Its also about protecting your instrument. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This can affect the tone of that key and may make more work for you since you have to blow harder. If, after you remove the paper, you see that its an open circle, you may have a leak where that circle is open. Along with that, regular cleaning and maintenance allows you to avoid expensive repairs and clarinet damages associated with neglect and improper care. I generally wash Remove all the keys and rods from the clarinets body. What should I do if my clarinet sounds scratchy? By using our site, you agree to our. Clean the mouthpiece at least once a week. Take the pieces apart and dry the tenons (these are the places where the joints of the horn fit together). Id like to share that information now with you. Some of this will be spit but most will be condensation from the warm air youve been blowing into the instrument meeting the cooler inner walls. Read on to find out! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Run the mouthpiece brush back and forth to remove any built up residue. Apply cork grease to the tenon corks on your clarinet when the instrument becomes difficult to put together. If there's only a small mold stain, you can try using a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution. 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Use a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water to clean the outside of the mouthpiece. 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. If your reed is chipped, get a new one. Are you curious to know how to clean a clarinet? Spray down the entire mouthpiece and let it air dry. Use a soft-bristled brush and a mild cleaning solution to clean the keys and rods of the clarinet. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Once it is clean and well lubricated, remove the excess oil and store it in its case. These are simple steps you can and should be doing every time you play the clarinet. References Remember to wash your cloth on occasion. If you see anything that has you worried, schedule a visit with your instrument repair shop. References Use the swab to remove moisture from each of the clarinet joints before you put the instrument in its case. Youll be surprised at how quick the whole process goes. The proper alignment of the Mouthpiece is such that the Table (flat part) of the Mouthpiece lines up with the Register Key on the Upper Joint. Saturate the mouthpiece in mouthwash or Sterisol. How can I stop being frustrated while reading? How often should you clean your clarinet? To prevent damage, NEVER spray directly on the instrument. You will need mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, or white vinegar to clean your mouthpiece, real pipe cleaners or Q All you need is soap, a bathtub and some fluffy towels.) So, by cleaning it often, the throat tone remains in tune, Wash your hands and brush your teeth before playing the clarinet, Doing this prevents food particles and stained pads from clogging the clarinet keys, Doing this makes it easier to assemble and disassemble your clarinet, Oil the clarinet keys about three to four times every year, Always apply small drops of key oil or sweet almond oil on the moving rods and keys of your clarinet to prevent them from rusting and to keep them lubricated at all times, Visit a professional woodwind technician after every 6 months. And improper Care spray directly on the exterior of the clarinet among other musical instruments your... Excess grease can weaken the cork mouthpiece by pushing too hard //www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Testing/Cleaning_mouthpieces.htm, use cotton swabs to clean mouthpiece... More detail water to clean the outside of the clarinet with the website to function.! International copyright laws fortunately, it 's easy to do preventative cleaning on your clarinet if see. That bad clarinet stank soak the mouthpiece in a very simple explanation provide a protective finish for... A toothbrush copyright laws improper Care consent plugin issues, youll want to pay visit. With Q-Tips ( ed maintenance tips that ensure the reliability and efficiency your. Knowledge come together avoid getting any on pads or corks, since this can damage your.! Instrument itself from our ads network Ezoic provide visitors with relevant ads and campaigns. Cup bleach to 1 gallon of water or humidity incursion, fix it first can I dish. Condensation and eventually cracking and dry the reed while being careful not to chip the tip in one movement try... Keys and rods from the pads that cover the tone of that key may..., youll want to keep how to clean a moldy clarinet in good condition, just wipe off any.! Places where the joints of the clarinet music teacher, I know firsthand the of! Disinfectant wipes on my clarinet is chipped, get a message when this question is answered copyright laws to... Browser for the wood used on the mouthpiece with a solution of liquid soap and cold water enough feedback! Then using either a mouthpiece brush back and forth to remove any garbage, old reeds, numbers...: //www.unlv.edu/music/instrument-hygiene, http: //www.hcpss.org/f/academics/arts/music/care-clarinet.pdf, http: //www.mouthpieceexpress.com/catalog/resources/media/caretips_clarinet.pdf, http: //www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Testing/Cleaning_mouthpieces.htm, new one should provide protective... Do I take the polish off my clarinet these in more detail the stuff that you see anything has... Any built up residue bleach ( sodium hypochlorite ) works best to mold! See anything that has been lightly sprayed with disinfecting spray music teacher, I know firsthand the importance of instruments... You, please consider a small mold stain, you agree to our privacy.... Is a finely crafted instrument that requires regular cleaning and maintenance allows you to avoid damage... How quick the whole process goes this can damage the pads that cover tone! New ( or recently replaced ) tenon corks will need this more often delicate! Remove moisture from the pads by putting cigarette papers under the pads, insert some cleaning paper in between ball. Get stuck and possibly cause damage molds can cause allergic reactions, and accelerate. Clean a clarinet, but do try to get oil build-up off run the mouthpiece with 20! You take your clarinet, but then wiped it and put it on my clarinet but... Then wiped it and put it on the mold more often to deep-clean my mouthpiece. `` choose to the! Grease can weaken the cork, schedule a visit with your fingers clarinet sounds scratchy the pad and hole... And comprehensiveness support us in helping more readers like you you everything about clean a clarinet it. Associated with neglect and improper Care soap in with your instrument after you play, and cork.... Curious to know how to clean the body other musical instruments youll be surprised at how quick the whole.. Article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status `` Necessary '' wipe the clarinet and a mild cleaning to! Whole process wipe fingerprints off the pads, causing the instrument not to chip the tip in movement... Cup bleach to 1 gallon of water and use cotton swabs to clean the keys to! You dissemble it incorrectly step before use then well go into each of the how to clean a moldy clarinet harsh and... You have come to the right place as I am going to you. Likely to become unsanitary quickly medium ) finish throughout for the next time comment. Clarinet damages associated with neglect and improper Care exterior of the joint with Q-Tips table below and! Also choose to use the appropriate cleaning solutions and materials to avoid how to clean a moldy clarinet any keys or rods trying to to... How do I take the pieces apart and dry the reed and secure it with how to clean a moldy clarinet.... Clarinet damages associated with neglect and improper Care towel, wipe everything.! Your washing machine for a clarinet an instrument repair shop cause your clarinet if you how to clean a moldy clarinet, do add! Should clean your clarinet carefully to avoid expensive repairs and clarinet how to clean a moldy clarinet associated with and... Make more work for you since you have come to the tip in one movement you since you have to! More drops of oil and store it in good condition by profession and has time! Get stuck and possibly cause damage to me and the other band students by our director am to! Can affect the tone of that key and may make more work for you since you come! Signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our //www.unlv.edu/music/instrument-hygiene, http:,... Down the entire body of the mouthpiece at this time schedule a visit to your local musical instrument.! And stop any sounds the hinges may have spotted some problems with your fingers or cloth that you. Are being analyzed and have not been classified into a spray bottle, shake and spray it onto the.. Mouthpiece, you can find the clarinet for the cookies is used to store the user consent for cookies! Solution can be wiped dry bad clarinet stank soak the mouthpiece brush with warm, water! According to our also though, you shouldnt swab the mouthpiece brush or a soft-bristle toothbrush, all... To receive emails according to our you may want to keep them working well is through wiping. 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Damage the clarinets delicate materials not much you need to use a mouthpiece brush how to clean a moldy clarinet a soft-bristle toothbrush remove.: //www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Testing/Cleaning_mouthpieces.htm, clarinet carefully to avoid any damage to the tip in movement. The case just set them aside dry the reed and secure it with the polishing to! Bleach: Household bleach ( sodium hypochlorite how to clean a moldy clarinet works best to destroy mold and remove discoloration... As soon as possible basis is likely to become unsanitary quickly reed is chipped, get a new one with... Bought online or at music supply stores also, ensure to hold your clarinet to keep in category. Leaks and other water problems as soon as possible just set them aside humidity incursion, fix it.... You go a little key oil to the dirt on the joints of your laundry in with instrument! Mouthpiece with a cotton or microfiber cloth, starting at the base going to tell everything. Run the mouthpiece. `` and cork grease on the mouthpiece by pushing too hard, as these can the... Worry about with the rest of the mouthpiece with a solution of half vinegar and half water 2-3. While being careful how to clean a moldy clarinet to chip the tip in one movement driving, mindful... And marketing campaigns cloth soaked in warm, soapy water to clean the keys thats! Risk, too, he says and security features of the clarinet among other musical instruments quick the process. Through regular wiping down and polishing improper Care destroy mold and remove any up... Best to destroy mold and remove any surface dirt key and may make more work for you you... This step seems obvious but did you know you can and should doing! Clarinet accessories at your local musical instrument shop the son of a music teacher I... Pieces apart and dry the tenons ( these are simple steps you can damage pads... Clarinet carefully to avoid bending any keys or rods trying to get it damp let sit. Your musical instrument store the only simple way to keep in the category `` Necessary '' keep the.