Klarinet Archive - Posting 000789.txt from 1998/02

From: Edinger/Gilman <wde1@-----.com>
Subj: hydrogen peroxide for reeds
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 1998 23:19:53 -0500

Some time ago the suggestion for using hydrogen peroxide was floated for
use in sanitizing reeds for a longer life by killing off bacteria. I
pooh-poohed the idea, knowing that living cells have enzymes that
instantly break down peroxide, somehow inexplicably forgetting that reed
cells are deader 'n doornails. Anyway, the Feb. '98 issue of Food
Technology, a trade journal, has an article on using H2O2 as a food
preservative, and it looks pretty good. Recommended procedure: use 5%
H2O2 (you can get 3-6% at most stores, but it degrades pretty fast -
say, 6 mos. - at room temperature a pretty weak solution) and soak the
reed (or mushrooms as the case may be) for about 1-5 min., and RINSE.
Failing to rinse might turn your lips white. Rinsing left no residues
after 5 min. This treatment should effectively sterilize at least the
outside. But whatever you do, don't use the 30% stuff, if you happen
to find it. It will cause chemical burns and is surprisingly nasty.

Bill E.