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Re: Cleaning a wooden clarinet

Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2006-08-18 12:10

(Disclaimer - I make a wood cleaning solution and museum wood wax)
Over time the oil in the wood will combine with dust, lint, and airborne pollution products (actually there are a lot of miniscule rubber particles from automobile tires floating in the air in urban areas) to form a gummy mess on the wood which dulls the finish and clogs the pores of the wood needed for transpiration of water in and out of the wood. The bore is less prone to accumulations because it is washed by moisture and swabbing. A wood cleaner designed for oily wood should be used. This cleaner should remove the oil gunk but not leech too much oil out of the wood. Many suggest using Murphy's oil soap designed for wood floors and this is one choice - not the best IMO. Regular detergents (dishwashing liquids) will remove the gunk but also leech significant quantities of oil not associated with the gunk from the wood. Indeed, I would not use any product on the bore but would clean each tone hole with a cleaner using a Q-Tip (TM) where flotsam and jetsam often physically accumulate. After cleaning I re-oil the wood, let thoroughly dry, wipe with a clean cotton jersey cloth (old T-shirt) and then apply a wax and buff. Other suggestions are welcome.
L. Omar Henderson

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