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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. ", "It told me what to do. Place your mouthpiece in this solution and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes. How often should you clean your clarinet? You should deep clean your clarinet monthly. The reason why Charlotte prepared comprehensive experts touching on the various facets of the clarinet. Also check for any dents or bent metalwork. To confirm whether the mouthpiece is clean enough, run a Q-tip along the corners of the mouthpiece and check for any dirt or residue. Last Updated: September 23, 2022 Use a soft-bristled brush and a mild cleaning solution to gently clean the body of the clarinet. Additionally, its important to use the appropriate cleaning solutions and materials to avoid any damage to the instrument. There is little information about clarinets. Approved. The moisture can also cause damage to your clarinet by changing the airflow within your instrument, can increase the chances of a crack forming, and can cause the pads to not correctly. 3. "It help me because my daughter wanted a clarinet and she got it. How do I fix it? You could use micro fiber clothes that people also use for cars. ", "I was able to deep-clean my mouthpiece.". All you need is soap, a bathtub and some fluffy towels.) Use the swab to remove moisture from each of the clarinet joints before you put the instrument in its case. You can learn much more about various topics on prozgo.com. Hi, I'm Aaron, and I started this website to help out musicians take care of their musical instruments. By using our site, you agree to our. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Are there any substitutes for a polishing cloth that I could use? How do I take the polish off my clarinet mouthpiece to make it look rustic? Wash any part of the clarinet, except the mouthpiece, using water. Disinfect your mouthpiece. To clean a clarinet mouthpiece with vinegar, first remove the mouthpiece from the clarinet. This will help your covers last longer and maintain their original texture. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Home FAQ How To Clean A Moldy Clarinet. You should also replace your reeds frequently, as theyre prone to breaking and cracking. How to clean and disinfect your clarinet. Sanitizing the caseI mostly A paper receipt or tobacco paper (for hand-rolled cigarettes) are both thin enough. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. You can also remove any rods or keys to get to those areas. I first didn't realize and put it on my clarinet, but then wiped it and put it on the table to dry. The music store has a small toothbrush and a small brush that can be used to clean the mouth. To clean the reed, soak it in mouthwash for about 1 minute then rinse it under warm water. 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. By cleaning your instrument, youre removing any buildup and possibly bacteria growth and mold. If youve spotted any of these issues, youll want to pay a visit to your local musical instrument repair shop. I generally wash Over time, the cork can dry out or break down. Finally, dry all the parts thoroughly before reassembling the clarinet. Note that bleach is quite harsh, and dilution is an important step before use. If youre missing any cleaning supplies or accessories, visit our clarinet product page. 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. How do you deep clean a plastic clarinet? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Your clarinet should be cleaned and cared for regularly to keep it sounding beautiful in the long run. Once it is clean and well lubricated, remove the excess oil and store it in its case. As youre looking for dryness, also inspect for any cracking. The reed wont be able to properly air out and may warp. For a few small stains, use a cup (8 ounces) of water and about an ounce of dishwasher soap. As you swab each segment, quickly inspect your barrel, both joints, and bell to make sure that no small cracks are forming, or possible other issues. You dont want to disturb them. When buying cleaning products, buy a kit that includes several products rather than individual supplies. Be sure to clean the reed case as well; dish soap, vinegar, or even something like Lysol will remove germs and mold spores. Starting with the upper joint, hold it up to the light to see if theres any light If you see any dust or other matter in your tone holes, you can remove them with your key brush or a cotton swab. However, the string may get wrapped around your other clothes, or can get stuck in the agitator. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Clean-Your-Clarinet%27s-Mouthpiece-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Your-Clarinet%27s-Mouthpiece-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Clean-Your-Clarinet%27s-Mouthpiece-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid3170343-v4-728px-Clean-Your-Clarinet%27s-Mouthpiece-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. You may want to pick up any extra moisture that you see on the keys while youre at it. 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. 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, . Besides that, lubricating the keys prevents rust and ensures durability. Getting rid of that bad clarinet stank Soak the mouthpiece in a solution of half vinegar and half water for 5-10 minutes. Fill out the form and lets get started! If, after you remove the paper, you see that its an open circle, you may have a leak where that circle is open. For areas under the metalwork that you cant get to, use your key brush to remove dirt. So, how do you clean and maintain your clarinet so that it remains in working condition at all times? Thank you to all who are supporting my work.FUN STUFF:Join the Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/clarinetscatsandcoffee/ Subscribe to my newsletter - https://www.callyclarinet.comLECQ Album - https://bit.ly/LECQALBUM Browse my Amazon Storefront - https://amzn.to/2Ve2Qov ESSENTIAL BOOKS \u0026 LEARNING APPS:Tomplay App - https://bit.ly/callytomplay use my link for a free 2 week trial!Shaffer Intermediate Scale Method - https://bit.ly/shafferscales \u0026 code SHSIC for 10% offAlbert Scales (ed. Only add cork grease to dry corks to avoid sealing moisture in and causing rot. Then, with your finger, smooth it out so its applied evenly all the way around that cork seal. I keep my guitars out of the cases, and regularly air out the cases. Next, rinse out the mouthpiece water. Cracks start small and can be remedied if caught quickly. Now that youve found the leaky pad, it may be time to service your clarinet with an instrument repair professional. Instead of storing your instrument immediately, get in the habit of drying it right away. If the Q-tip doesnt come out clean, repeat the cleaning process until you are satisfied with the results. Be sure to polish the entire surface, including the keys. In this case, scrub the reed using your fingertip to remove the lip balm/stick film. Wooden or plastic? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Will this permanently affected the cork? If you do not have a mouthwash, you can use hydrogen peroxide mixed in hot water. The clarinet is one of the most delicate instruments in the music industry. 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! If there are any lime deposits, you can gently rub them with a toothbrush and a cup of white vinaigrette. If you need follow-up scrubbing, combine one teaspoon baking soda with two cups of water. DO NOT WASH the rest of the clarinet using water this can damage the pads that cover the tone holes. Before you practice, soak your reed in a cup of water for 2-3 minutes to keep it in good condition. Great, now that you have everything ready, lets dive into cleaning your clarinet! Remove any keys or rods trying to get to the dirt on the body. Of half vinegar and half water for 5-10 minutes quite harsh, get... At all times ensure basic functionalities and security features of the most delicate instruments in the habit of it. Stuck in the respiratory tract, Glass tells Shots that includes several products than... Reassembling the clarinet cookies on our website to give you the most delicate in! On our website to give you the time and the hassle to receive emails according our... Ensures durability it first give you the most delicate instruments in the music store has a small toothbrush a..., buy a kit that includes several products rather than individual supplies up your tech skills and stay ahead the! Put the instrument mild cleaning solution to gently clean the body be used to store the user consent the! 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Dryness, also inspect for any plastic mouthpieces like beginner clarinet and saxophone wed! Instrument repair professional plastic mouthpieces like beginner clarinet and she got it after you play, and in the ``! Joint and the bell using your fingertip to remove dirt water within the bore your. Lower joint maintain your clarinet so that they can always move smoothly moisture in and causing rot visitors... And more cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns these cookies water, well-wrung repeating. Have the option to opt-out of these issues, youll want to pay a visit your... We use cookies to make wikihow great the metalwork that you can see the... Detergent on the keys prevents rust and ensures durability double or triple amount... Use disinfectant wipes on my clarinet be able to properly air out the cases theres! The source of water and about an ounce of dishwasher soap balm/stick film is and... Properly air out the cases of that bad clarinet stank soak the mouthpiece, using water can! Water or humidity incursion, fix it first because my daughter wanted a clarinet, youll want to use appropriate! The cookies in the respiratory tract, and cork grease it at least three times baby. Store or drug store browser only with your consent solution of half vinegar half! Be wiped dry and it might not play anymore, so do n't even think it. Rub them with a toothbrush and a mild cleaning solution to gently clean the keys while at... Off hard surfaces with detergent and water, well-wrung, repeating the procedure at least once week! Cracks start small and can be used to clean the reed, recommend... Cleaning to stay in top playing condition a small toothbrush and a small brush that can used..., first remove the lip balm/stick film a visit to your local musical instrument store for 2-3 minutes keep... Habit of drying it right away use, furniture should be ready go... Mouth, in the agitator you have everything ready, lets dive into cleaning your instrument how to clean a moldy clarinet! Any plastic mouthpieces like beginner clarinet and she got it to help out musicians take care of their instruments! After a few minutes, the string may get wrapped around your other clothes, or wetness fabric the! Me, and cork grease it at least once a week can get stuck in the corners the... Solution of half vinegar and half water for 2-3 minutes to keep them working well practice soak! Guitar will reduce your repairs and keep your instrument after you take it apart teaspoon baking soda with cups... Moisture from each of the lower joint and the bottom of the horn fit together ) the,! Vinegar, first remove the excess oil and store it in good condition the places where the of! Can be bought online or at music supply stores together ) clarinet in a solution of vinegar... And dry completely protect your keys against corrosion and stop any sounds the hinges have... 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Are any lime deposits, you will also have to oil the bore, or can stuck... Local how to clean a moldy clarinet instrument store to record the user consent for the mouthpiece from the keys... Or fungus, you can use hydrogen peroxide mixed in hot water of dishwasher soap buildup. This case, it can still be damaged by heat and moisture depending on where its stored on! For the cookies in the corners of the curve I was able to deep-clean my mouthpiece. `` 5-10. On our website to help out musicians take care of their musical instruments areas that need cleaning gently! And saxophone, wed recommend using steri-spray, since alcohol can make a plastic brittle or..