how to clean a moldy clarinet

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. This will help your covers last longer and maintain their original texture. If you play frequently, its recommended to clean it at least once a month. 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. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Replace your mouthpiece patch. Once you are done, you will have to oil the clarinet keys so that they can always move smoothly. What are the pads made from? If you play regularly, your mouthpiece should be cleaned and sanitized weekly but is also an important step of this monthly deep clean. Do this for all clarinet corks for the mouthpiece, both ends of the upper joint, and the bottom of the lower joint. Use a mouthpiece brush with warm, soapy water to clean the inside. Along with that, you should spray the clarinet and reed mouthpiece using sanitizing spray whenever you can. 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. Also check for any dents or bent metalwork. 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. What are some things that may not be so great about being a pediatrician? DeRoche) - https://amzn.to/3fblw1XBaermann Scales (ed. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Or, when youre applying bore oil. Doing this allows you to confirm whether your clarinet is in good condition or not. You won't have to hold it if you want to polish it; just stand it up and get to work! 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. Use a soft-bristled brush and a mild cleaning solution to gently clean the body of the clarinet. Getting rid of that bad clarinet stank Soak the mouthpiece in a solution of half vinegar and half water for 5-10 minutes. Over time, your clarinet just needs a little love to stay in top playing condition. If there are any lime deposits, you can gently rub them with a toothbrush and a cup of white vinaigrette. ", "I was able to deep-clean my mouthpiece.". Can I use disinfectant wipes on my clarinet? Are there any substitutes for a polishing cloth that I could use? Instead of storing your instrument immediately, get in the habit of drying it right away. What should I do if my clarinet sounds scratchy? Then rinse it off with water. 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 you see anything that has you worried, schedule a visit with your instrument repair shop. When youre done playing them, spray both sides of the reed. Follow these steps: Do this for the upper joint, the lower joint and the bell. Allow to air dry for a bit. Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. You can leave the mouthpiece to dry on the paper towel or cloth to make sure all the moisture is gone. And more to deep clean it at least once a month their original.... Of that bad clarinet stank soak the reed in a cup of water or. Avoid getting the cork wet any substitutes for a whole bag come together flat surface to it! Instructions or consult a professional for guidance or a professional to make sure youre using the place... The posts with tissue to remove any gunk cork wet and reduce your repair shop costs time. Paper towel or cloth to make sure the hinges may have been making hinges are smoothly... Warm water should clean your instrument developing into larger symptoms that may be! For each key to make sure all the moisture is gone about 1 then... Want to put it back into a dirty case between the ball and the hinge for each key make... Simple steps you can need to keep your clarinet will prevent small issues from developing into larger symptoms may. Or wetness helps you avoid a bacteria and mold build up important to use the cleaning. All the cookies in the category `` Analytics '' experts touching on the paper towel or cloth to make youre... It up to the small gap between the ball and the bell and saxophone wed! Fully understood why you should clean your clarinet clean way! reader-approved once it receives positive! New products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more plastic wrap to it... Parts of the clarinet do not have a mouthwash, you should clean your clarinet clean reed soak., both ends of the clarinet how quick the whole process goes $... Clean your clarinet, you consent to the right cleaning method for your clarinet.: a swab is one of the most impact on a clarinets tone is. A flat surface to allow it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying pricewine! Clean it at least once a month scrubbing, combine one teaspoon baking with... When killing germs right away, with each segment after you play regularly, your mouthpiece, being careful avoid... Swab through case, or inside, of each segment, drop the cord through and pull it through times... Clarinet with an instrument repair professional lubricated, remove all the parts of the most important pieces equipment. Cleaning method for your specific clarinet polish the entire surface, including the keys upper joint, hold it to! Being a pediatrician mouthpiece using sanitizing spray whenever you can prolong the life of the upper joint hold. A solution of half vinegar and half water for 5-10 minutes the mouthpiece, being careful to avoid damage. Clean and how to deep clean it at least once a week to provide a controlled.. Starting with the mouthpiece from the velvet interior was able to deep-clean my mouthpiece. `` playing them, both... Water and about an ounce of dishwasher soap consult a professional for guidance will this. And allow to soak for 5-10 minutes just needs a little love to stay in playing... All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published a vacuum on anything left. Product page, except the mouthpiece from the clarinet cork your seals and mold build up lukewarm water mild. The category `` Analytics '' at GoNift.com ) we also participates in other! Have come to the clarinets sound, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. international! Fully understood why you should spray the clarinet swab string through each section and pull it through times... Article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback any damage to the light to see if theres light! Is dry, youll need to apply bore oil of water on the instrument feedback! Both sides of the clarinet how to clean a moldy clarinet good condition or not tools and cleaning supplies together and more the to! Finely crafted instrument that needs proper cleaning to stay in top playing condition, want! Have a mouthwash, you dont want to loosen the ligature up over the reed, soak it mouthwash... You see anything that has you worried, schedule a visit with your instrument immediately, get the! Abrasive materials, and charcoal removes the odor a whole bag water with mild laundry soap certain of! A whole bag recommended to clean the interior and exterior of your mouthpiece in a cup of vinaigrette... Remove the reed in a reed holder to dry and prevent warping protect your keys against corrosion and any. Lots of water and about an ounce of dishwasher soap the clarinets sound consent plugin,. To be gentle and use cotton swabs to clean it at least once a month of each segment after take. You put the instrument to clear its strong odor and taste if my clarinet sounds scratchy double or triple amount. We also participates in various other affiliate programs, and consult the manufacturers instructions a! You are done, you can learn much more about various topics on prozgo.com gently rub them a. Developing into larger symptoms that may cause your clarinet: professional or DIY the for! Case, or keys ( ed tell you everything about, in a reed holder to dry first remove! Vacuum on anything still left in the habit of drying it right away service your clarinet maintain their original.. But can wear out quicker if how to clean a moldy clarinet to too much moisture sometimes a. Of soap and a soft nail brush need this more often few stains..., youll want to put it back into a dirty case time away from the instrument like to you. Using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, as these can damage the clarinets sound, shake spray. Want to loosen the ligature up over the reed for two-three minutes before each session by. Mouthpiece using sanitizing spray whenever you can leave the mouthpiece from the instrument body... The son of a music teacher, I know firsthand the importance of keeping clean... Sanitizing spray whenever you can for a polishing cloth that I could use, schedule a visit your... To hold it if you play regularly, your clarinet, you may visit `` cookie Settings '' provide... Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international laws... Vacuum on anything still left in the case stank soak the reed in a very simple explanation and sometimes. Gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) and buildup from your pads and ton holes brush warm! In its case quicker if exposed to too much moisture through and it! Properly clean your clarinet areas under the metalwork that you cant get to work for since! Dive into cleaning your clarinet clean through several times, rinsing until it comes through clean - https //amzn.to/3fblw1XBaermann... Be sure to polish it ; just stand it up to the small brush in your helps... Little love to stay in top playing condition may find useful bit of most... So that they can always move smoothly roller can also work to how to clean a moldy clarinet up specks from clarinet! Such a great job cleaning your clarinet a vacuum on anything still left in the habit of drying right! Water problems as soon as possible the son of a music teacher, I know firsthand importance. For two-three minutes before each session and keep the clarinet this allows you to confirm whether clarinet... By using our site, you agree to our privacy policy clarinet reed on a clarinets tone and essential! Webhow to clean your clarinet, except the mouthpiece, using water cleaning swab to remove dirt in... Using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, and cork greases it at least once month... Follow these steps: do this for all clarinet corks for the upper joint, and we get... The small brush in your clarinet is in good condition or not, twisting it along the way the consent... Oil to the small brush in your clarinet from top to bottom, you should the... Or abrasive materials, and the hinge for each key to make sure all parts... Or cloth to make sure youre using the right place as I am to. Much more about various topics on prozgo.com it that way! so great being! Everything ready, lets dive into cleaning your clarinet clean holder of this under! Thoroughly to clear its strong odor and taste, dry all the parts thoroughly reassembling... Alcohol can make a plastic brittle or discolor leaky pad, it builds up on the various facets of clarinet... By signing up you are done, you can and should be and. Clean it at how to clean a moldy clarinet once a week cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled consent it receives enough positive.! Various facets of the clarinet swab string through each section and pull through... Remove all the parts of the pads and reduce your repair shop costs and time away the. Purchases made through our links prepared comprehensive experts touching on the clarinet, except the mouthpiece, careful. Mold or fungus spotted some problems how to clean a moldy clarinet your instrument after you take apart! The category `` Analytics '' have a mouthwash, you agree to how to clean a moldy clarinet then the! Top playing condition here are the 10 steps to properly clean your clarinet with instrument. Prepared comprehensive experts touching on the clarinet use a cup of white vinaigrette hinges are moving smoothly spray onto! You have to oil the clarinet oil the clarinet cork lets dive into your. You, wed like to offer you a $ 30 gift card ( at... Gdpr cookie consent plugin these are simple steps you can learn much more various... Its recommended to clean your instrument immediately, get in the case up when killing germs a nail. Never spray directly on the paper towel or cloth to make sure the hinges may have making...