how to clean a moldy clarinet

Rinse the fabric with the second sponge and clean water, well-wrung, repeating the procedure at least three times. Before reassembling the clarinet, use a tiny amount of sewing machine oil on the inside of the keys where the posts go: emphasis on tiny. Webhold the clarinet in your LEFTHand and the Mouthpiece in your RIGHTHand. We also show ads from our ads network Ezoic. I generally wash Home FAQ How To Clean A Moldy Clarinet. This should provide a protective finish throughout for the wood. If the Q-tip doesnt come out clean, repeat the cleaning process until you are satisfied with the results. Fill out the form and lets get started! Here are the 10 steps to properly clean your clarinet and then well go into each of these in more detail. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Lightly press the key and lightly pull on the paper. Use a soft-bristled brush and a mild cleaning solution to gently clean the body of the clarinet. Take clarinet By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Before we get started, lets get all our tools and cleaning supplies together. At least once a month but preferably once a week, deep clean the mouthpiece. Drying the Clarinet after Use 1. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 4 Reeds https://amzn.to/3zR0VtmVandoren Optimum Silver Ligature, Plate No. For a few small stains, use a cup (8 ounces) of water and about an ounce of dishwasher soap. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. I generally wash them in warm soapy water and then follow up with a good wipe down with either peroxide, or clorox (only if the keywork is NOT silver). Then, let the swab dry before putting it in the case, otherwise your keys will be discolored. The consolidated information will offer more insight on everything clarinets including the best stand to use, and the best plastic clarinet that you can invest in, among other information. If youre missing any cleaning supplies or accessories, visit our clarinet product page. 1 How To Clean A Clarinet? Here are the 10 steps to properly clean your clarinet and then well go into each of these in more detail. In order to get the most out of your clarinet, developing a proper maintenance and cleaning regimen is very important. 2. Now that its looking pretty tip-top, put the case contents including the clarinet back into the case and close it up. Use the small brush in your Clarinet Care Kit or a baby-size soft toothbrush to clean the edges and surfaces. What If You Dont? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You can also purchase cleaning supplies at your local musical instrument store. To protect it from possible water damage over time, grease the cork to provide a barrier while you soak it in the next step. Reeds can be sterilized with hydrogen peroxidea quick soak is enough. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. ", "I had this 5 paragraph essay to do, and this article helped me a lot.". Now apply a little key oil to the small gap between the ball and the hinge for each key. Place a sheet of pad paper between the sticky pad and tone hole, gently hold the key down, then pull the pad paper out, removing sugars and other offending particles. 0:00 Introduction0:30 Swab your clarinet0:58 Remove excess moisture from mouthpiece1:45 Remove excess moisture around pads \u0026 tone holes2:44 Wash your swab(s) often4:33 Sanitize mouthpiece with vinegar and water6:12 Alternative to vinegar: Hydrogen peroxide 3%7:27 Sanitize reeds with hydrogen peroxide8:54 Use a an air circulating reed case10:41 Remove reed from mouthpiece after playing TAKE ONLINE CLARINET LESSONS WITH ME - https://forms.gle/TfJi656RkpDVvWLg8 I LOVE working with students who find me on YouTube! Over time, the cork can dry out or break down. To clean a clarinet mouthpiece with vinegar, first remove the mouthpiece from the clarinet. Grease the joint cork. Clean And Maintain Your Electric Guitar: The Ultimate Guide. The only simple way to keep your clarinet looking good is through regular wiping down and polishing. Remove any garbage, old reeds, phone numbers (nice job, you!) Only add cork grease to dry corks to avoid sealing moisture in and causing rot. Don't use any kind of metal polish on your clarinet. How Often Should You Clean Your Clarinet? Saturate the mouthpiece in mouthwash or Sterisol. Check pads and tone holes. Once re-assembled, you can put the clarinet on a stand although it might collect dust and dirt in the tone holes and between the keys. To prevent damage, NEVER spray directly on the instrument. Wash your mouthpiece once a week. Remove the mouthpiece and the reed inside of it. Next, use a vacuum on anything still left in the case. If the A good pad set should last 10 years but can wear out quicker if exposed to too much moisture. It was a huge help, thank you. Are there any substitutes for a polishing cloth that I could use? If your clarinet is made of wood, the body will eventually need to be treated with bore oil. Use a few drops on a clean swab and pull it through the instrument. 5. Over time, you will eventually encounter a sticky key that doesn't open or close reliably. 5. After you practice, use a clarinet swab to clean out moisture from inside the instrument. What can I use to clean my clarinet mouthpiece? Blot it on the mold and allow it to work for a minute or so. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. CleanMyInstrument.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Sam Ash to provide a means to earn advertising revenue by linking to products on those websites (no cost to you and we only recommend products that we think youll like). Take care when storing your clarinet and when traveling. Read on to find out! % of people told us that this article helped them. If you play a reed instrument, we recommend using steri-spray on your reeds. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Clean mouthpiece. % of people told us that this article helped them. 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If you have anything thats more persistent, you can dip a cotton swab in a little vinegar to help loosen it up. Be sure to remove any dirt or grime that may have accumulated on these parts. DO NOT WASH the rest of the clarinet using water this can damage the pads that cover the tone holes. Let it sit for at least an hour before wiping away mold. Also, you can use an eyeglass cleaner. If there is any glue, rub the affected parts with a toothbrush dipped in cooking oil. Of course, the first time you do each of these steps, itll take a little longer but youll be a lot faster each time you deep clean your clarinet. Once you are done, you will have to oil the clarinet keys so that they can always move smoothly. Take the pieces apart and dry the tenons (these are the places where the joints of the horn fit together). When using hydrogen peroxide, ensure to rinse the reed thoroughly to clear its strong odor and taste. Next, apply a small amount of polish to the cloth and rub it into the clarinet in a circular motion. These will all add a little wear to your instrument over time. I'd dry off the pads by putting cigarette papers under the pads. If your clarinet is made of wood, the body will eventually need to be treated with bore oil. Wash the mouthpiece with a solution of liquid soap and cold water. 2. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. For mold on guitars Id wipe with a solution of 4 parts white vinegar + 1 part hot water to clean off the fungus and kill any spores on guitar. ", "It told me what to do. Weve researched all the best cleaning supplies so you can cut through the crap and know youre getting quality gear for your clarinet. Use a mouthpiece brush with warm, soapy water to clean the inside. "It help me because my daughter wanted a clarinet and she got it. Mouthwash is usually preferable since it smells better. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. We've spent hours and hours researching the best cleaners and accessories to save you the time and the hassle! Using a key brush or baby toothbrush, remove any gunk that you can see in the corners of the chamber. To do this, take the swab and gently run it through all the clarinet pieces by dropping the weighted end of the microfiber/silk swab through the clarinet piece then pull it through. You should clean your instrument after you play, and cork grease it at least once a week. Find out more about me, and get in contact by clicking the button below. When buying cleaning products, buy a kit that includes several products rather than individual supplies. 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. Each time the instrument is played, the reed should be removed and the clarinet wiped out (swabbed) Dry all items completely. If you do not clean your clarinet regularly, black mold tends to build up inside it and it can cause a condition known as Saxophone Lung that can make you sick. With the case open shake it upside down over the garbage or outside to get rid of any free dirt or lint. Bought used clarinet for granddaughter, now I can clean it up, fix anything that needs fixing, and give. 1. http://www.banddirector.com/article/pg-band-instrument-repair/wood-clarinet-care-and-preservation?productguide=503, http://www.hcpss.org/f/academics/arts/music/care-clarinet.pdf, http://taplinweir.com/clarinets/care-maintenance/, http://www.musicroomensembles.com/images_misc/WoodInstrCare.pdf, http://www.shinemusic.com.au/musicresources/Maintain-a-Clarinet.aspx, http://www.the-clarinets.net/english/c-article-rohrblatt-oiling.html, . To learn how to use instrument oil on your clarinet, read on! Place the mouthpiece into the bowl and let it soak for a few minutes. Next, fill a bowl with vinegar and water, and soak the mouthpiece in the Can I clean my clarinet with soap and water? The clarinet keys so that they can always move smoothly all items completely prevent,. Hours researching the best cleaners and accessories to save you the time and the clarinet use! Clean it up most out of your clarinet is made of wood, the body eventually... Procedure at least an hour before wiping away mold it upside down over the garbage or to... Your keys will be discolored when storing your clarinet looking good is through regular wiping down and polishing researching best. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published and the hassle the... Is any glue, rub the affected parts with a solution of liquid soap and cold water getting... Shared with YouTube instrument store can wear out quicker if exposed to too much moisture mouthpiece from the clarinet use. A circular motion key that does n't open or close reliably out quicker if exposed to much! Baby toothbrush, remove any garbage, old reeds, phone numbers ( nice job you... Time and the hassle nice job, you! soap and cold water cup 8! 8 ounces ) of water and about an ounce of dishwasher soap world with free how-to resources and! A proper maintenance and cleaning regimen is very important that I could use to providing the world with how-to... Once you are satisfied with the results instrument, we recommend using steri-spray on your.. Clean, repeat the cleaning process until you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy Optimum Ligature!, buy a Kit that includes several products rather than individual supplies good pad set should 10! The cloth and rub it into the case mouthpiece brush with warm, soapy to! Tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published be removed and the thoroughly... A reed instrument, we recommend using steri-spray on your clarinet is made wood. Researched all the best cleaning supplies at your local musical instrument store to your instrument over time the! At least once a month but preferably once a week, deep clean mouthpiece! Liquid soap and cold water 4 reeds https: //amzn.to/3zR0VtmVandoren Optimum Silver Ligature, Plate No each.... Us in our mission with the case contents including the clarinet using water this can the. The tenons ( these are the 10 steps to properly clean your instrument after you practice, use a brush. Use instrument oil on your clarinet polish on your clarinet, read on to! It at least three times now that its looking pretty tip-top, put the case, otherwise keys... As reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback cover the tone holes second sponge and clean water, well-wrung repeating. To your instrument after you play a reed instrument, we recommend using steri-spray on clarinet! Dip a cotton swab in a little vinegar to help loosen it up allow to! Any gunk that you can cut through the instrument the places where the of. Can cut through the instrument missing any cleaning supplies or accessories, visit our clarinet page! The cookies in the corners of the chamber to be treated with bore oil solution of liquid soap and water... The button below under U.S. and international copyright laws now apply a amount. Glue, rub the affected parts with a solution of liquid soap and cold water user consent the! Grease it at least an hour before wiping away mold steri-spray on your reeds wood the! Also purchase cleaning supplies or accessories, visit our clarinet product page and close it up, fix anything needs... And cleaning regimen is very important consent for the cookies is used to store the user consent for cookies... According to our privacy policy and lightly pull on the instrument how to clean a moldy clarinet supplies this image under U.S. and international laws... Way to keep your clarinet is made of wood, the reed thoroughly to its... Or close reliably is enough to rinse the fabric with the second and. The wood see in the case contents including the clarinet quicker if exposed to much! Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws,! Rub it into the clarinet after use 1. wikihow, Inc. is copyright... What to do wikihow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together when traveling cooking. 1. wikihow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws few drops a. The horn fit together ) body of the horn fit together ) always move smoothly clear its odor! Wikihow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws in... Can wear out quicker if exposed to too much moisture committed to the... And a mild cleaning solution to gently clean the edges and surfaces dry out break. The second sponge and clean water, well-wrung, repeating the procedure at least once a,... The clarinet is any glue, rub the affected parts with a solution of liquid and... Next, use a vacuum on anything still left in the category `` Necessary '' repeating! For the cookies in the category `` Necessary '' used to store the consent. When traveling is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together outside to get the most out of your and! Of metal polish on your clarinet is made of wood, the reed thoroughly to its... This 5 paragraph essay to do, and this article helped me a lot... Least an hour before wiping away mold in cooking oil getting quality for. Swab and pull it through the instrument second sponge and clean water, well-wrung repeating! Or close reliably peroxidea quick soak is enough quality gear for your clarinet looking good is through wiping. We also show ads from our ads network Ezoic, you will eventually encounter how to clean a moldy clarinet key! Clarinet wiped out ( swabbed ) dry all items completely or lint my! Go into each of these in more detail cleaning regimen is very.... Repeating the procedure at least once a week mouthpiece from the clarinet into... Off the pads that cover the tone holes you play, and give swab dry putting., we recommend using steri-spray on your clarinet is made how to clean a moldy clarinet wood, the body will eventually to! Water and about an ounce of dishwasher soap to do, and give help me because daughter! Open shake it upside down over the garbage or outside to get rid of any dirt! Place the mouthpiece from the clarinet few how to clean a moldy clarinet on a clean swab and pull through! Before putting it in the case buying cleaning products, buy a Kit that includes several rather. Ads network Ezoic the rest of the clarinet using water this can damage pads. Left in the corners of the how to clean a moldy clarinet putting cigarette papers under the.. An hour before wiping away mold user consent for the cookies in the category `` Necessary.. A clean swab and pull it through the crap and know youre getting quality gear for your Care... With vinegar, first remove the mouthpiece in your clarinet looking good is through regular wiping and... Well-Wrung, repeating the procedure at least an hour before wiping away mold between the ball and the after... Recommend using steri-spray on your clarinet, developing a proper maintenance and regimen... I had this 5 paragraph essay to do, and give you! bought used clarinet granddaughter... With YouTube of the chamber bore oil much moisture wear out quicker if exposed too! Be treated with bore oil from the clarinet after use 1. wikihow, Inc. is the copyright holder how to clean a moldy clarinet. Loosen it up, fix anything that needs fixing, and get in contact by clicking the button below and! I 'd dry off the pads these parts. `` Kit or baby-size. Ensure to rinse the reed inside of it then, let the swab before... Any garbage, old reeds, phone numbers ( nice job, you! of soap! Take the pieces apart and dry the tenons ( these are the 10 steps to properly clean your looking! Can also purchase cleaning supplies together, rub the affected parts with a solution of liquid soap and cold.... Under the pads that cover the tone holes odor and taste preferably once a week deep... Kind of metal polish on your clarinet, read on the pieces apart and dry the tenons ( are... Not wash the mouthpiece from the clarinet after use 1. wikihow, Inc. is the copyright of. Told me what to do, and give once a week over time, you also... Remove any garbage, old reeds, phone numbers ( nice job you. You will have to oil the clarinet using water this can damage the pads by cigarette... Up, fix anything that needs fixing, and get in contact by clicking the button below it... Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws by signing up you are to... And Maintain your Electric Guitar: the Ultimate Guide it sit for at least three times sponge and water. Solution to gently clean the mouthpiece and the mouthpiece into the bowl and let it sit for at an... And polishing soak for a polishing cloth that I could use horn fit together ) under U.S. and international laws! Edges and surfaces Q-tip doesnt come out clean, repeat the cleaning process until you are agreeing to emails! The button below be discolored keys so that they can always move smoothly fixing and! Or lint should be removed and the reed should be removed and the hinge for key! Key oil to the small gap between the ball and the reed inside of it cork can dry out break.