\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You have come to the right place as I am going to tell you everything about clean a clarinet in a very simple explanation. Over time, the moisture from your saliva and breath builds up and provides the perfect environment for bacteria and mold to grow and thrive. I use rubbing alcohol pads to clean my mouthpiece all the time, so it shouldn't be a huge issue. Inspect and oil keys. If you go a little overboard, just wipe off any excess. Rinse with cold water. Remove any keys or rods trying to get to the dirt on the body. Sunshine kills the mold, and charcoal removes the odor. If, after you remove the paper, you see that its an open circle, you may have a leak where that circle is open. This site is owned and operated by Freedom Content, LLC. As the son of a music teacher, I know firsthand the importance of keeping instruments clean and maintained. The reason why Charlotte prepared comprehensive experts touching on the various facets of the clarinet. Can I use disinfectant wipes on my clarinet? I was also in the band (clarinet & sax) and continue to play the guitar and piano. Maintenance is not just limited to putting away your clarinet safely in its case, but also ensuring that it is clean, dry, well assembled and performing regular checks on different parts of your clarinet day to day. The table below summarizes and outlines a few clarinet maintenance tips that ensure the reliability and efficiency of your musical instrument. Be sure to polish the entire surface, including the keys. Swab: A swab is one of the most important pieces of equipment youll need to keep your clarinet clean. Take clarinet Always wrap your cork in plastic wrap to protect it. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Neglecting to clean a clarinet can lead to a buildup of dirt and grime, which can damage the instrument and affect its sound quality. Grease the joint cork. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). We've spent hours and hours researching the best cleaners and accessories to save you the time and the hassle! 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. Use sterisol or another disinfectant to clean your mouthpiece. Do I have to replace it? At least once a month but preferably once a week, deep clean the mouthpiece. Do not use the swab to clean the mouthpiece, as you may end up altering the shape of the mouthpiece or damaging it entirely. Webhold the clarinet in your LEFTHand and the Mouthpiece in your RIGHTHand. Food particles, sugar, and germs don't just create a breeding ground for bacteria, but they also change the tonal characteristics of the instrument. Along with that, you should spray the clarinet and reed mouthpiece using sanitizing spray whenever you can. There is little information about clarinets. 3. A typical dish soap is also capable of cleaning the mouthpiece in cool or warm water. Are the pads mouldy? Rub gently on the area and rinse well with warm water, mopping up the rinse water with a dry towel as you go. ", "I am a clarinet owner and did not know how to properly clean my instrument. You will need mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, or white vinegar to clean your mouthpiece, real pipe cleaners or Q-Tips to clean the tone holes, a soft brush to clean the dust from under the keys, a soft cloth to clean the mouthpiece, laundry detergent to clean your swab, and disinfectant wipes for the keys. WebTo clean the reed, soak it in mouthwash for about 1 minute then rinse it under warm water. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". You won't have to hold it if you want to polish it; just stand it up and get to work! Cut out a strip thats roughly 1/4 inch wide and 3 inches long. Dont soak it, but do try to get it damp. It is best to use a liquid soap and cold water solution to What are the pads made from? That way youll have a back up when if youre washing one. Do not oil screw sockets. But, how do you go about it? Rinse and inspect. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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). The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The oil will spread out on its own to lubricate the moving parts and provide an invisible barrier against the air and moisture. For the body of the clarinet, you can wipe each joint with a soft cloth (microfiber or cottoneven an old, clean t-shirt) to remove dirt and other debris. In this blog post, well go over the steps for cleaning a clarinet to make sure that it stays in top shape and sounds its best. For the upper joint, lower joint, and bell, youll want to inspect each piece and then apply bore oil as needed to give the wood inside the clarinet a protective finish. I Have Covered All The Following Queries And Topics In The Above Article, How To Clean A Clarinet Without A Cleaning Kit, How To Clean A Clarinet Mouthpiece With Vinegar, ? You can either soak your mouthpiece in these, or to use less, pour the mouthwash or Sterisol over and down into the chamber so that everything gets saturated. 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. By applying cork grease as needed, the joint corks are protected and makes it easy to take apart your clarinet. That is 1 cup of bleach + 4 cups water or 1 quart of bleach + 1 This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Wipe down all the body and keys with a polish cloth to get rid of any dust, moisture, or oils from your fingers. If youve spotted any of these issues, youll want to pay a visit to your local musical instrument repair shop. ", http://www.mouthpieceexpress.com/catalog/resources/media/caretips_clarinet.pdf, http://www.clarinet-now.com/clarinet-swab.html, https://www.unlv.edu/music/instrument-hygiene, http://www.hcpss.org/f/academics/arts/music/care-clarinet.pdf, http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Testing/Cleaning_mouthpieces.htm, . References First, remove all the parts of the clarinet and set them aside. Over time, you will eventually encounter a sticky key that doesn't open or close reliably. To protect it from possible water damage over time, grease the cork to provide a barrier while you soak it in the next step. Be very careful when handling the reed. The Cost To Clean Your Clarinet: Professional or DIY? 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. We recommend cleaning your clarinet every week for the best results. In high school, my band teacher drilled into my head how important it is to keep my clarinet clean and would inspect each instrument. How do you deep clean a plastic clarinet? Your case needs to be cleaned out from time to time too and you might as well do it while youre cleaning your clarinet. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Or, you can find the clarinet accessories at your local musical instrument shop. Make sure that all the parts are properly aligned and tightened. The clarinet is especially prone to this happening. For any plastic mouthpieces like beginner clarinet and saxophone, wed recommend using steri-spray, since alcohol can make a plastic brittle or discolor. Allow the upper joint to sit for a few hours. You should clean your instrument after you play, and cork greases it at least once a week. You will need mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, or white vinegar to clean your mouthpiece, real pipe cleaners or Q Clean mouthpiece. If you do not have a mouthwash, you can use hydrogen peroxide mixed in hot water. I mix dish soap with warm water and use cotton swabs to clean my mouthpiece. Vegetative mold (the stuff that you see growing) will not grow if the RH is below 50%. As youre looking for dryness, also inspect for any cracking. Dont use hot water when mixing a homemade solution. Then, let the swab dry before putting it in the case, otherwise your keys will be discolored. WebA clarinet should be cleaned regularly to avoid bacteria and mold buildup. Heres a few additional tips that you may find useful. You may want to pick up any extra moisture that you see on the keys while youre at it. Thereafter, pour a few drops of hand washing soap or dish soap in a bowl then run warm water into the bowl. After the clarinet is cleaned and dried, reassemble it. Store the mouthpiece in the case with the reed still attached. After playing, if the clarinet is not swabbed out and the mouthpiece wiped, it creates the perfect environment for bacteria and mold to thrive in. If youre missing any cleaning supplies or accessories, visit our clarinet product page. We hope you found this guide useful and that itll make it easier to clean and maintain your clarinet, so you can enjoy it for years to come. First, make sure that the swab is spread out and not bunched up or have any knots in it. 4. Do this for all clarinet corks for the mouthpiece, both ends of the upper joint, and the bottom of the lower joint. WebHow to Clean a Clarinet (and keep it that way!) It wasnt until years later that I fully understood why you should keep it clean and how to deep clean it. The term mildew is often used generically to refer to mold growth, usually with a flat growth habit. Shots can't help but ask if the good doctor isn't being a wee bit alarmist. Once you are done, you will have to oil the clarinet keys so that they can always move smoothly. Next, check each screw and tighten as needed. You will also have to fully clean the keys. This will also protect your keys against corrosion and stop any sounds the hinges may have been making. 2. Wash any part of the clarinet, except the mouthpiece, using water. Inspect body and apply bore oil. How to clean and disinfect your clarinet. A baby toothbrush can also be used to remove limescale. "It help me because my daughter wanted a clarinet and she got it. Regularly cleaning your clarinet helps you avoid a bacteria and mold build up. Wash any part of the clarinet, except the mouthpiece, using water. Also, you can use an eyeglass cleaner. % of people told us that this article helped them. Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Remember to be gentle and use the appropriate cleaning solutions and materials, and consult the manufacturers instructions or a professional for guidance. Great, now that you have everything ready, lets dive into cleaning your clarinet! As you can see, theres a lot that goes into deep cleaning a clarinet but weve broken it down into easy to follow steps and well explain each step along the way. Some clarinet stands fold up and can be stored in the bell, which is even better. Doing this allows you to confirm whether your clarinet is in good condition or not. Even though your instrument is in its case, it can still be damaged by heat and moisture depending on where its stored. Dry with a cotton or microfiber cloth, starting at the base going to the tip in one movement.