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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. You won't have to hold it if you want to polish it; just stand it up and get to work! Purchase a clarinet stand. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 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. 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. Take clarinet apart. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. When it comes to cleaning the mouthpiece, you will need to use a mouthpiece brush or a toothbrush. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Remember to wash your cloth on occasion. When driving, be mindful that the trunk can get hot. This article was shared to me and the other band students by our director. A clarinet is a delicate and intricate instrument that requires regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it in good condition. Its important to note that the frequency of cleaning your clarinet will depend on how often you play it. Any instrument that isn't cleaned on a regular basis is likely to become unsanitary quickly. In order to get the most out of your clarinet, developing a proper maintenance and cleaning regimen is very important. This will make it easier to clean the various parts and ensure that you dont miss any areas. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 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. Its also about protecting your instrument. "I am in a marching band during the coronavirus pandemic and needed to know how to thoroughly clean my clarinet. Another way to soak the reed is by placing the reed in your mouth for a few minutes, using your saliva to moisten the reed before playing. Blot it on the mold and allow it to work for a minute or so. It wasnt until years later that I fully understood why you should keep it clean and how to deep clean it. Drying the Clarinet after Use 1. Mouthwash is usually preferable since it smells better. Except for the mouthpiece, dont ever wash any part of the clarinet with water since it can damage your instrument and can cause mildew. Youve finished deep cleaning your clarinet. 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. However, dont use lip balm. 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. Both of these brushes are gentle enough to not cause scratches but will do the job. Scrub with a brush or scouring pad. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Make sure to remove any debris or buildup that may have accumulated in the mouthpiece. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". How often should you clean your clarinet? 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. How do you clean the inside of a clarinet case? 4. Once you are done, the last step would be to oil the bore of your clarinet using bore oil. Lightly press the key and lightly pull on the paper. The oil will spread out on its own to lubricate the moving parts and provide an invisible barrier against the air and moisture. Along with that, you should spray the clarinet and reed mouthpiece using sanitizing spray whenever you can. Saturate the mouthpiece in mouthwash or Sterisol. The best way to use the OdorKlenz odor treatment on wood furniture is to dilute it according to package directions in a spray bottle, and thoroughly spray the inside of drawers. You may use a lint free cloth to clean the outside of your instrument. Quick Answer: How To Clean Moldy Mildewed Tent, Quick Answer: How To Clean Canvas Tent Mold, Quick Answer: How To Clean Mold Off Canvas Tent, Question: How To Clean Mold Off Camping Chairs, Question: How To Clean Mold From Tent Trailer. This can damage the tone holes! If you play a reed instrument, we recommend using steri-spray on your reeds. Regular cleaning and maintenance significantly prevents any saliva, dirt, or condensation build up from damaging the cork, cracking or splitting the clarinet, damaging the pads and tarnishing the metal on the clarinet. 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. You will also have to fully clean the keys. Over time, your clarinet just needs a little love to stay in top playing condition. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 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. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Before we get started, lets get all our tools and cleaning supplies together. Rinse the fabric with the second sponge and clean water, well-wrung, repeating the procedure at least three times. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. As youre looking for dryness, also inspect for any cracking. You may notice water within the bore, or inside, of each segment after you take it apart. 5 Can I use disinfectant wipes on my clarinet? Charlotte Moore is a devoted mother of two and a professional clarinet player. If you cannot go every 6 months, you can visit the woodwind technician at least once every year. Make sure that all the parts are properly aligned and tightened. Always consult the manufacturers instructions or consult a professional to make sure youre using the right cleaning method for your specific clarinet. You can prolong the life of the pads and reduce your repair shop costs and time away from the instrument. We recommend cleaning your clarinet every week for the best results. I'd dry off the pads by putting cigarette papers under the pads. At each segment joint, theres a ring of cork that makes it easy to put your clarinet together and seals it for proper airflow. With your key brush (or cotton swab), clean off any moisture or other residues from each key. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. If you dont wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 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. If the Q-tip doesnt come out clean, repeat the cleaning process until you are satisfied with the results. By applying cork grease as needed, the joint corks are protected and makes it easy to take apart your clarinet. ", "I was able to deep-clean my mouthpiece.". You can also get a funky smell from the reed, case, or keys. Run the mouthpiece brush back and forth to remove any built up residue. By using our site, you agree to our. Remove any garbage, old reeds, phone numbers (nice job, you!) Even though your instrument is in its case, it can still be damaged by heat and moisture depending on where its stored. You should also remove the reed and the ligature carefully to avoid damaging them. Read on to find out! After the clarinet is cleaned and dried, reassemble it. To clean a clarinet mouthpiece with vinegar, first remove the mouthpiece from the clarinet. If you do that, you will ruin the mouthpiece and it might not play anymore, so don't even think about it. however, once they start to turn grey, it is time to get new ones. Clean the interior and exterior of your mouthpiece, being careful to avoid getting the cork wet. This can be especially bad if you just ate or drank soda before playing since tiny food particles or sugars will be within your saliva extra food for bacteria. DeRoche) - https://amzn.to/3fblw1XBaermann Scales (ed. Occasionally, you can also choose to use a disinfecting wipe or cloth that has been lightly sprayed with disinfecting spray. Its recommended to have 2 pull-through swabs. That is 1 cup of bleach + 4 cups water or 1 quart of bleach + 1 Cleaning your electric guitar will reduce your repairs and keep your instrument looking and sounding good. 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. Sanitize your mouthpiece with either mouthwash or Sterisol. Swab: A swab is one of the most important pieces of equipment youll need to keep your clarinet clean. Also check for any dents or bent metalwork. Do not oil screw sockets. Once you are done cleaning, take the upper joint, barrel, lower, joint, and bell apart and place them on a flat surface. 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. Fill out the form and lets get started! For cleaning the mouthpiece, instead of using a mouthpiece brush, a baby toothbrush works just as well since the bristles are softer than regular toothbrushes. Wait another couple of hours and if you see wetness within the bore this time, the wood has saturated as much as it can. If the As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). The Cost To Clean Your Clarinet: Professional or DIY? Regular white paper will work for this as well if youre in a pinch. 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. Occasionally, you can also choose to use a disinfecting wipe or cloth that has been lightly sprayed with disinfecting spray. Use a few drops on a clean swab and pull it through the instrument. Finally, dry all the parts thoroughly before reassembling the clarinet. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Carefully put on the reed and secure it with the ligature. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Also, by putting the mouthpiece cover on while not playing, you reed will be protected. Remove the reed after playing and store it in a reed holder to dry. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. WebAnswer (1 of 2): There is not much you need to worry about with the instrument itself. Understand how visitors interact with the case open shake it upside down over the garbage or outside to get new. 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