\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Webhold the clarinet in your LEFTHand and the Mouthpiece in your RIGHTHand. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Fully drying and a light oiling. As you play, your saliva coats the inside of your mouthpiece (called the chamber) where it can build up and create an environment where bacteria and mold can thrive. Pull the cord through and pull the cloth through, twisting it along the way. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Keep the Q-Tip wet, and do not force it inside a tone hole if it will not go in. You can also purchase cleaning supplies at your local musical instrument store. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Clean And Maintain Your Electric Guitar: The Ultimate Guide. You can find either of these at your local department store or drug store. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Remove the mouthpiece and the reed inside of it. Next, well need to check the pads for leaks. As youve cleaned your clarinet from top to bottom, you may have spotted some problems with your instrument. If youre missing any cleaning supplies or accessories, visit our clarinet product page. Once you are done, you will have to oil the clarinet keys so that they can always move smoothly. Without applying any more oil to the swab, pull it through 2 more times, again with the twisting motion. "I am in a marching band during the coronavirus pandemic and needed to know how to thoroughly clean my clarinet. If you use too much, itll just make a mess. Theres also a spray version of Sterisol that works great. If you dont Add full-strength white distilled vinegar to a spray bottle and spray it on the mold. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Neglecting to clean a clarinet can lead to a buildup of dirt and grime, which can damage the instrument and affect its sound quality. How do you deep clean a plastic clarinet? This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. % of people told us that this article helped them. Let it sit for at least an hour before wiping away mold. Along with that, you should spray the clarinet and reed mouthpiece using sanitizing spray whenever you can. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You may notice water within the bore, or inside, of each segment after you take it apart. In order to get the most out of your clarinet, developing a proper maintenance and cleaning regimen is very important. Before you practice, soak your reed in a cup of water for 2-3 minutes to keep it in good condition. A baby toothbrush can also be used to remove limescale. 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. Wash any part of the clarinet, except the mouthpiece, using water. I am a full time freelance musician; while this project is important to me, I would not be able to continue creating great content for the world without ongoing support from viewers. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Chlorine bleach: Household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) works best to destroy mold and remove any discoloration. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Make sure to get into all the crevices and corners, and pay special attention to the tone holes and keys. Twist the upper joint onto the lower joint. You should deep clean your clarinet monthly. Does it look clean or do you see spots or some other kind of buildup? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. The oil will spread out on its own to lubricate the moving parts and provide an invisible barrier against the air and moisture. If the Starting with the mouthpiece, gently twist as you separate each section: the mouthpiece first, then the barrel, the upper joint, and finally the lower joint from the bell. You should clean your instrument after you play, and cork greases it at least once a week. This step seems obvious but did you know you can damage your clarinet if you dissemble it incorrectly? Instead, it builds up on the pads and ton holes. Charlotte Moore is a Clarinetist by profession and has over time offered lessons on how to play the clarinet among other musical instruments. All you need is soap, a bathtub and some fluffy towels.) Any instrument that isn't cleaned on a regular basis is likely to become unsanitary quickly. "Fantastic. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Allow the upper joint to sit for a few hours. In a small bowl, soak any reeds youve been using in a solution of half water and half either hydrogen peroxide or mouthwash. The clarinet is especially prone to this happening. 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 clarinet is one of the most delicate instruments in the music industry. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. We dont want to get into it and find out that were missing something. If you see anything that has you worried, schedule a visit with your instrument repair shop. We've spent hours and hours researching the best cleaners and accessories to save you the time and the hassle! Hydrogen peroxide is the same solution many people put on their cuts thatll bubble up when killing germs. In this case, 86% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. In this case, 83% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. What If You Dont? That way youll have a back up when if youre washing one. Next, use a soft cloth to wipe down the body of the instrument, being careful not to get any water inside the mechanism. Be sure to remove any dirt or grime that may have accumulated on these parts. If they dont clean out their instruments on a regular basis, black mold can build up inside and cause a condition called Saxophone Lung. At the conference, researchers described a case of a clarinetist who neglected to clean his instrument for some 30 years and suffered the consequences. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 3. These are simple steps you can and should be doing every time you play the clarinet. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. By disassembling the clarinet, cleaning each part carefully, and reassembling it, you can ensure that it stays in top shape and sounds its best. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. In this case, scrub the reed using your fingertip to remove the lip balm/stick film. The swab is a cleaning cloth with a cord or string on one end so you can pull it through each clarinet segment, except for the mouthpiece since you already cleaned that. Press the key lightly several times and repeat until no moisture or color shows on the paper. 2. 1. That moisture if not removed, can cause mold, affect how the clarinet plays and may even cause the wood to crack over time. Mix a solution of 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water, which can be sprayed directly on the mold. 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. Rather than submerging the entire cover in the water, clean only the areas that need it. Without further discussion lets begin to know, In conclusion, cleaning a clarinet is an important part of maintaining the instrument and keeping it in good condition. Enjoy! If you are missing any of these items, click on the links above or you can pay a visit to our clarinet supplies page where you can find more information, including kits to save money. If, after you remove the paper, you see that its an open circle, you may have a leak where that circle is open. A paper receipt or tobacco paper (for hand-rolled cigarettes) are both thin enough. A quick wipe down on the exterior of the case is a nice touch to finish up the whole process. For any plastic mouthpieces like beginner clarinet and saxophone, wed recommend using steri-spray, since alcohol can make a plastic brittle or discolor. Every time you play the clarinet, you should always remove the reed and swab the clarinet to remove moisture. Wash any part of the clarinet, except the mouthpiece, using water. 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