Klarinet Archive - Posting 000380.txt from 1995/12

From: dap@-----.O
Subj: Re: bleach/reeds (fwd)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 1995 16:37:07 -0500

Forwarded message:
>
> This might be a new idea but if your reeds are in such sad shape that they
> need to be cleaned why don't you just throw them away and work in new ones.
> No chemicals to worry with although you would have to spend money on new
> reeds - yes money!! You could start a reed museum - someplace to admire
> that reed that got you through Beethoven 6 & 8 - in one concert!
>
> Dan
>
> > Bleach is sodium hypochlorite (usually about 2-5%), which IS a
> >chlorine compound. ( Swimming pool "chlorine" is calcium hypochlorite.)
> >When this compound decomposes, it releases the chlorine as the gas we all
> >know and love! ( Anyone who has worked with swimming pools knows that
> >sunlight will do the job nicely!) Thus, yes, when it "dries", the chlorine
> >will be gone. Also, it's probably a good idea to rinse very well (you
> >might get rid of the chlorine, but you could be left with salt deposits.)
> >Also, rinsing would dilute anything that might be left down to "safe"
> >levels (we all know that there's chlorine in our water, anyway; just a very
> >small amount.)
> > I'd never thought of bleaching reeds - I've always just boiled
> >questionable reeds in a pot of water. I dont see a problem, though, as
> >long as you make sure you get rid of the bleach afterwards!
> > (P.S. Hydrogen peroxide decomposes into oxygen and water, for those
> >of you who were wondering. The bubbling is actually due to an enzyme called
> >peroxidase, which breaks down peroxides.)
> >
> >-Scott
> >
> >Scott D. Morrow
> >(410)-955-3631
> >
> >SDM@-----.edu
>
> ******************************************************************************
>
> Daniel A. Paprocki
> dap@-----.us
>
> ******************************************************************************