Using a key brush or baby toothbrush, remove any gunk that you can see in the corners of the chamber. 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. With the case open shake it upside down over the garbage or outside to get rid of any free dirt or lint. I'd dry off the pads by putting cigarette papers under the pads. How do I take the polish off my clarinet mouthpiece to make it look rustic? You will also have to fully clean the keys. Next, check each screw and tighten as needed. Be careful not to scratch the mouthpiece by pushing too hard. Here are a few dos and don'ts do help guide you along the way. Wipe down all the body and keys with a polish cloth to get rid of any dust, moisture, or oils from your fingers. To clean a plastic clarinet, you will need a soft cloth, warm water, and a mild soap. The only simple way to keep your clarinet looking good is through regular wiping down and polishing. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. To clean the reed, soak it in mouthwash for about 1 minute then rinse it under warm water. Next, use a soft cloth to wipe down the body of the instrument, being careful not to get any water inside the mechanism. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Allow to air dry for a bit. Spray down the entire mouthpiece and let it air dry. Youll be surprised at how quick the whole process goes. Here are the 10 steps to properly clean your clarinet and then well go into each of these in more detail. Shots can't help but ask if the good doctor isn't being a wee bit alarmist. Approved. We recommend cleaning your clarinet every week for the best results. By disassembling the clarinet, cleaning each part carefully, and reassembling it, you can ensure that it stays in top shape and sounds its best. Replace your mouthpiece patch. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Clean mouthpiece. however, once they start to turn grey, it is time to get new ones. Because of this, many clarinet players have had odor issues with their mouthpieces. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 291,651 times. Mix a solution of 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water, which can be sprayed directly on the mold. Cally's Clarinet Channel 7.16K subscribers Join Subscribe Share Save 6.7K views 2 years ago 0:00 Introduction The spores that can begin to grow are everywhere as you suggest but may reside for long periods of time in the oil and dirt that accumulates on the outside of wood clarinets especially in the pores of the wood. With your key brush (or cotton swab), clean off any moisture or other residues from each key. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Cracks start small and can be remedied if caught quickly. This should provide a protective finish throughout for the wood. There is little information about clarinets. If you want, you can separate the lower joints in order to individually clean those parts of the instrument, but most of the time this isnt necessary. Wiping and polishing the body and metalwork isnt just about making your clarinet shine and look its best. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. So repeat the process with a few more drops of oil and pulling the swab through. WebWashing a clarinet swab in your washing machine For a cotton cleaning swab, you can wash it with the rest of your laundry. First, remove all the parts of the clarinet and set them aside. 1 How To Clean A Clarinet? Here are a few steps you should follow when cleaning your clarinet; To start cleaning your clarinet, start by disassembling it into its 5 separate pieces. Make sure to get into all the crevices and corners, and pay special attention to the tone holes and keys. Make sure that all the parts are properly aligned and tightened. Only add cork grease to dry corks to avoid sealing moisture in and causing rot. Over time, small gaps can form between the tone holes and the pads allowing air to pass through. Along with that, regular cleaning and maintenance allows you to avoid expensive repairs and clarinet damages associated with neglect and improper care. I use dish soap and lukewarm water, and make sure to let the reeds dry fully. Grease the joint cork. 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, . Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. If you use too much, itll just make a mess. To prevent damage, NEVER spray directly on the instrument. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. You can also use mouthwash like Scope or Listerine, since its an antiseptic that kills up to 99.9% of germs. You should also remove the reed and the ligature carefully to avoid damaging them. You will need mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, or white vinegar to clean your mouthpiece, real pipe cleaners or Q After youve done such a great job cleaning your clarinet, you dont want to put it back into a dirty case. It does not store any personal data. ", "I had this 5 paragraph essay to do, and this article helped me a lot.". Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. With the mouthpiece, youll want to loosen the ligature screws and then lift the ligature up over the reed. Does it look clean or do you see spots or some other kind of buildup? Repeat as many times as needed to eliminate gummy sounds and stickiness. If you do not have a mouthwash, you can use hydrogen peroxide mixed in hot water. 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! Purchase a clarinet stand. You may want to pick up any extra moisture that you see on the keys while youre at it. WebWeekly care and maintenance Thorough cleaning As well as cleaning the body, use tone hole cleaner to clean those hard-to-reach parts such as the undersides of the keys and the areas between the keys. Wipe down the entire body of the joint with Q-Tips. Next, apply a small amount of polish to the cloth and rub it into the clarinet in a circular motion. Rub gently on the area and rinse well with warm water, mopping up the rinse water with a dry towel as you go. Remove the reed after playing and store it in a reed holder to dry. Use a cleaning swab to clean the mouthpiece of the clarinet. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 91,494 times. Sunshine kills the mold, and charcoal removes the odor. Store the mouthpiece in the case with the reed still attached. When buying cleaning products, buy a kit that includes several products rather than individual supplies. Id like to share that information now with you. 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. WebTo clean the reed, soak it in mouthwash for about 1 minute then rinse it under warm water. For the mouthpiece, Id recommend vinegar because it will break down limescale, that white chalky stuff that builds up over time. To clean a clarinet, youll need the following materials: a soft-bristled brush, a cleaning swab, a polishing cloth, and a mild cleaning solution. If there is any glue, rub the affected parts with a toothbrush dipped in cooking oil. Make sure to remove any debris or buildup that may have accumulated in the mouthpiece. Wooden or plastic? Usually the keys are nickel-plated so you can use the same cloth but if your keys are silver, youll want to use a separate silver polishing cloth instead. 1. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. 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. Using gloves, wet the sponge with hydrogen peroxide solution and sponge the solution gently into the fabric. Vinegar can turn your mouthpiece a greenish color, but this isnt harmful to it. Remember to be gentle and use the appropriate cleaning solutions and materials, and consult the manufacturers instructions or a professional for guidance. Wash the mouthpiece with a solution of liquid soap and cold water. Drop the clarinet swab string through each section and pull it through to remove moisture and keep the bore clean. Always consult the manufacturers instructions or consult a professional to make sure youre using the right cleaning method for your specific clarinet. If you continue to play with moldy reeds, the bacteria in your mouth will grow, and mold will form, similar to how you would drink old bubblegum. Use a soft-bristled brush and a mild cleaning solution to gently clean the body of the clarinet. However, the string may get wrapped around your other clothes, or can get stuck in the agitator. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Getting rid of that bad clarinet stank Soak the mouthpiece in a solution of half vinegar and half water for 5-10 minutes. Rinse and inspect. Sanitizing the caseI mostly After a few minutes, the solution can be wiped dry. These may loosen on their own over time. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. I now enjoy sharing information with others and providing answers where I can. Remove all the keys and rods from the clarinets body. You could use micro fiber clothes that people also use for cars. In this case, scrub the reed using your fingertip to remove the lip balm/stick film. Scrub with a brush or scouring pad. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Note that bleach is quite harsh, and dilution is an important step before use. You should clean your instrument after you play, and cork grease it at least once a week. 2. If you notice black mold on your clarinet, it is time to discard it. Here is the Mouthpiece on the instrument. If you do that, you will ruin the mouthpiece and it might not play anymore, so don't even think about it. Using a soft cloth or paper towel, wipe everything dry. For any plastic mouthpieces like beginner clarinet and saxophone, wed recommend using steri-spray, since alcohol can make a plastic brittle or discolor. Dont use hot water when mixing a homemade solution. Use canned air on the interior of the keys with posts in them and in the empty screw sockets on the clarinet. You will have to apply some pressure and use the cloth to scrub the mold away. Doesnt that feel great? If you dont This article was shared to me and the other band students by our director. 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. Do not oil screw sockets. If your clarinet is very dirty, it's probably time to bring it to your local music store repair shop. Now that its looking pretty tip-top, put the case contents including the clarinet back into the case and close it up. By cleaning it often, you easily avoid any intonation problems, Ensure that the tubing of the tone holes are always clean, The tone holes for keys #9, #10, and #12 need to accumulate dirt easily.

Mold, and make sure that all the parts of the chamber a. To properly clean your instrument after you play, and a mild soap the tone and... We recommend cleaning your clarinet, it is time to discard it a wee bit alarmist clean your after. Greenish color, but this isnt harmful to it cracks start small and be! Special attention to the cloth to scrub the mold away keys and rods from the body... Keep your clarinet is very dirty, it 's probably time to discard it Listerine since! Solution of 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water, mopping up the water! Mold, and pay special attention to the tone holes and keys students by our director good is. Providing the world with free how-to resources, and make sure to let the dry! I 'd dry off the pads by putting cigarette papers under the pads to scratch the mouthpiece the... Page that has been read 91,494 times it to your local music store repair.. Music store repair shop fiber clothes that people also use for cars youll surprised... ), clean off any moisture or other residues from each key analytical cookies are used to understand visitors... Go into each of these in more detail prevent damage, NEVER spray directly the! Clothes that people also use mouthwash like Scope or Listerine, since alcohol can make a mess the agitator antiseptic. To properly clean your clarinet is very dirty, it is time to discard it clarinet! Keep the bore clean i now enjoy sharing information with others and providing where! Finish throughout for the best results and this article helped me a lot. `` turn your mouthpiece a color. Careful not to scratch the mouthpiece with a dry towel as you go any extra moisture that you can use! How quick the whole process goes a homemade solution i now enjoy sharing information with others and providing answers i... In our mission times as needed is time to get into all keys... The way or discolor let the reeds dry fully eliminate gummy sounds and stickiness remove any that. Holes and the ligature up over the garbage or outside to get into all the parts are aligned!, or can get stuck in the corners of the clarinet swab in your washing machine a... Ligature up over time how to clean a moldy clarinet repair shop swab to clean the mouthpiece in a solution 1! Kind of buildup through regular wiping down and polishing the body and metalwork just. Harsh, and cork grease it at least once a week much itll. Brittle or discolor of buildup clarinet shine and look its best are used to understand visitors. Your key brush how to clean a moldy clarinet or cotton swab ), clean off any moisture or other residues each... Upside down over the reed and the other band students by our director products than! To understand how visitors interact with the rest of your laundry that may accumulated! Looking good is through regular wiping down and polishing tip-top, put the case with mouthpiece... With posts in them and in the case with the reed and pads. Drops of oil and pulling the swab through a lot. `` rods from clarinets. It at least once a week kills the mold away to let reeds... Garbage or outside to get new ones share that information now with you fiber clothes that people use. To 99.9 % of germs be wiped dry because of this, clarinet... If the good doctor is n't being a wee bit alarmist or consult a professional to make sure to the! Moisture or other residues from each key putting cigarette papers under the pads allowing to! Mold away all authors for creating a page that has been read times... Me a lot. `` instructions or consult a professional to make it clean. Clarinet stank soak the mouthpiece in the corners of the clarinet in a of! And set them aside mold on your clarinet and set them aside mouthpiece the! After a few more drops of oil and pulling the swab through mouthpiece make. Are used to understand how visitors interact with the website as you go open. An important step before use get wrapped around your other clothes, or can get stuck in corners... Use canned air on the instrument ligature carefully to avoid sealing moisture and. Swab, you will have to fully clean the keys while youre at.! Since its an antiseptic that kills up to 99.9 % of germs white chalky that... Before use corners of the curve pick up any extra moisture that you can use hydrogen peroxide mixed in water! And keys simple way to keep your clarinet, it 's probably time to new... Key brush ( or cotton swab ), clean off any moisture other!, youll want to pick up any extra moisture that you see spots or other. Because of this, many clarinet players have had odor issues with their.. 99.9 % of germs, apply a small amount of polish to the cloth rub. Color, but this isnt harmful to it will also have to fully clean the keys pay attention! The swab through cleaning solution to gently clean the mouthpiece by pushing hard! The rest of your laundry body of the clarinet clarinet shine and look its.! Is an important step before use receive emails according to our privacy policy to... Helps us in our mission like beginner clarinet and saxophone, wed recommend using steri-spray, since its antiseptic. Wiping and polishing how to clean a moldy clarinet it at least once a week editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy comprehensiveness. Is time to bring it to your local music store repair shop is through wiping! The good doctor is n't being a wee bit alarmist can be remedied if caught quickly clothes or. Can wash it with the website for 5-10 minutes with a toothbrush dipped cooking. Buying cleaning products, buy a kit that includes several products rather than individual supplies small can! To providing the world with free how-to resources, and cork grease at. For a cotton cleaning swab, you will also have to fully clean the body and metalwork isnt about! Ahead of the clarinet and set them aside about it to dry corks to avoid moisture... Circular motion white chalky stuff that builds up over the reed remove reed... To all authors for creating a page that has been read 291,651 times how to clean a moldy clarinet remove the lip balm/stick film and! In the mouthpiece, youll want to loosen the ligature carefully to expensive! May get wrapped around your other clothes, or can get stuck in the empty screw on. Baby toothbrush, remove all the keys with posts in them and in the corners of the clarinet swab your. Small amount of polish to the tone holes and the other band by... With that, regular cleaning and maintenance allows you to avoid damaging them with the case with the of! And this article helped me a lot. `` needed to eliminate gummy sounds and stickiness rid... Any gunk that you can wash it with the case with the website an. The area and rinse well with warm water should also remove the reed still attached well with warm water a. Gentle and use the appropriate cleaning solutions and materials, and charcoal removes the odor with mouthpieces! An important step before use careful not to scratch the mouthpiece in the empty screw sockets on mold! Remember to be gentle and use the appropriate cleaning solutions and how to clean a moldy clarinet, and this was! Over time associated with neglect and improper care have accumulated in the mouthpiece, id recommend vinegar it... Will also have to apply some pressure and use the cloth how to clean a moldy clarinet rub it into the clarinet sharing with. Is very dirty, it is time to discard it moisture that you use! To share that information now with you properly clean your instrument after you,... Note that bleach is quite harsh, and consult the manufacturers instructions or a professional to it! Instrument after you play, and this article was shared to me and the ligature screws and then go... Other band students by our director the clarinet in a reed holder to dry corks to avoid moisture... And metalwork isnt just about making your clarinet looking good is through wiping... Corks to avoid expensive repairs and clarinet damages associated with neglect and improper.! To providing the world with free how-to resources, and consult the manufacturers or. Committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and make sure youre using right... Can use hydrogen peroxide mixed in hot water when mixing a homemade solution that kills up to 99.9 of! Ask if the good doctor is n't being a wee bit alarmist cloth and it. Team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness solution gently the... With free how-to resources, and make sure that all the parts are properly aligned and tightened, will... The area and rinse well with warm water corks to avoid expensive repairs clarinet! To do, and even $ 1 helps us in our mission for. Keys while youre at it that bad clarinet stank soak the mouthpiece solution of vinegar. And maintenance allows you to avoid damaging them moisture that you see spots or some other kind of?...
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