Klarinet Archive - Posting 000299.txt from 1995/12

From: Michael D Moors - Alpena <mdmoors@-----.US>
Subj: Re: bleach/reeds
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 1995 07:31:45 -0500

Instead of messing around with disinfecting with bleach or toothpaste why
not buy commercial products that are made for disinfecting mouthpieces.
I have also resorted to rubbing alcohol. In all honesty the only time I
use either is when I do fittings for elementary band. On my own
mouthpieces generous amounts of soap and water seem to do the job, I
leave the reeds alone. I'll stop short and not describe some of the
sites I have seen solo and ensemble judging (in student mouthpieces) it
is too early and I haven't eaten. :-)

Mike

On Mon, 11 Dec 1995, Pavalonis, Jennifer L. wrote:

> It has been my experience that bleach 'wears off' after it is dry. It is
> chlorine-based, and the chlorine evaporates in the air. How I know this is
> from working in a pet shop for many more years than I choose to remember.
> We always scrubbed and disinfected with diluted bleach solutions. It was
> safe for the critters when it was dry (of course we rinsed it with water,
> though, too). This was especially effective with fish tanks. The fish
> would come down with this or that disease, and we would tear the tank down
> and bleach it and its contents. People have voiced concern over poisoning
> the fish in this way, but rest assured that everything was rinsed well and
> left to dry, and I have yet to have a poisoned fish or other critter from
> bleach-disinfected stuff. So what I am saying is that I think it would be
> possible to bleach your reeds without poisoning yourself. Personally, I
> really don't know why someone would want to bleach their reeds, but if it
> trips your trigger, I say go for it!
>
> Jenn
> jp233532@-----.edu
>