 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: poopsie
Date: 2004-05-24 04:17
what is the best way to clean a mouthpiece? I have heard dish soap but that sounds wrong. thanks ahead!
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Author: Sarah
Date: 2004-05-24 14:15
I just use lemon juice, let it soak for 5 minutes or so, and then rince it out with water.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-05-24 14:53
COOL or COLD water. Not warm or hot.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-05-24 15:13
Vinegar works for me. In addition to removing deposits, it disinfects.
Hans
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-05-24 15:24
And it also tastes really good! (I love it. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2004-05-24 20:09
(Disclaimer - I sell a mouthpiece cleaning concentrate)
Rinsing out the mouthpiece with cool to luke warm tap water routinely will get rid of most deposits before they form and sanitize (remove bugs by mechanical action - not kill them). People differ in their saliva compositieon and therefore the amount of deposits - mostly the white calcium deposits that develop. Other more difficult to remove chemical compounds of the carbonate and sulfate variety also form over time and certain calcium salts are difficult to remove. The other build ups include organic material including minute food particles and skin detritus and the growing bacteria and mold that use this material as a good source.
Either lemon juice - citric acid main active ingredient, and white vinegar - acetic acid active ingredient will remove the easy carbonates with about a 15 minute exposure but they are not particularily good germacidal (germ killing) agents. Both are too acidic to grow bacterial or mold well but they also do not kill pathogenic bacterial or molds effectively in short exposure. They will not remove dried organic materials either in a short exposure. They can be used in a routine fashion to prevent build up of many easily removed deposits that have not "aged". A diswashing soap and water will also remove many deposits - but not all.
If the mouthpiece is not cleaned routinely the more difficult chemical compounds can accumulate and are not readily removed by either mild citric or acetic acids. Difficult carbonates and sulfates require a different sort of chemical removal. Organic materials require a protein denaturing and solubilizing chemical mix which may include enymes and oxygen bleach (not peroxide).
Care must be taken with hard rubber mouthpieces to use agents which will not harm the rubber or the vulcanizing residues and catalysts used in the manufacture of the mouthpiece - some of these stronger chemicals may turn your mouthpiece green or brown reacting these residues. Antique mouthpieces are particularily susceptible to damage because of the incomplete vulcanization reactions used when they were produced.
Do not use harsh chemicals on your mouthpiece - this includes chlorine bleaches, etc.. I would also not recommend using a brush or other hard object to scrape away deposits because of the thinness of the material of the rails of the mouthpiece and the potential for damage.
Routine cleaning with mild agents is the best advice to keep your mouthpiece from developing difficult to remove residues and becoming breeding ground for bacteria and mold growth.
The Doctor
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-05-24 20:20
Try the cheap and easy stuff first - soap, water and a toothbrush will do.
If the interior has stubborn deposits, a dilute solution (a few drops) of CLR or other lime removal treatment from your grocery store in a glass will serve to soak the mouthpiece overnight.
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Author: Henry
Date: 2004-05-24 20:27
Mostly good suggestions above. But I would urge a "weekly" cleaning, rather than a "summer" cleaning. Cleaning only once every season will leave an extremely grungy mouthpiece. Personally, I use a weekly soak in white vinegar, copious rinsing and careful drying with a soft tissue. Seems to work fine.
Henry
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