 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: RoseLove
Date: 2008-12-07 19:09
I'm just getting over a bad case of strep throat, and unfortunately have played on my clarinet, bass clarinet and alto sax, all while being infected. After taking a few days off from playing due to pain, I'm ready to go back at it, only with clean mouthpieces.
How can I go about cleaning them out?
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2008-12-07 20:57
I think something like Sterisol might be good, and I think you can also use it to sterilize reeds.
This reminds me of a story from many years ago. I was just starting out on the clarinet, and I came down with Rubella (everyone called it German measles back then). This was a few years before the vaccine became available. I was only ill for three days, but when I recovered, my father wanted to make sure my mouthpiece, cap, etc., were sterilized. He decided to heat these items in the oven. Well, you guessed it. The cheap plastic mouthpiece took on a new shape, and it was completely useless. We went out to buy a new mouthpiece, and everything worked out fine. We all got a good laugh out of it.
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Author: davidsampson
Date: 2008-12-07 21:00
My suggestion is to soak it in hydrogen peroxide for a little while, then rub down thoroughly (inside and out) with rubbing alcohol, and let it dry.
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Author: Sambo 933
Date: 2008-12-07 22:00
I'm not sure if this will work because I've never tried on a mouthpiece used by someone who had strep throat, but whenever I need to sterilize a mouthpiece I just let it soak in a cup of listerine for a few minutes.
This is because Listerine is essentially the same stuff that is in that green stuff that is made for sterilizing mouthpieces.
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Author: clariknight
Date: 2008-12-07 22:24
You might also try a 50/50 mixture of water and white vinegar. That might be safe for reeds as well.
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2008-12-08 00:52
I alays use a little lemon juice, seems to be acidic enough to dislodge the crud. Then I sterilize it with Purell - hasn't hurt a mouthpiece yet but I've only done it on hard rubber m/pieces. The whole process takes 30 minutes or so, most of that is soaking in lemon juice.....BTW discard the lemon juice afterwards...
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Author: Lynn
Date: 2008-12-08 20:44
I always use a little single malt Scotch whiskey. If it doesn't kill the germs I can always pour it in a cocktail glass, sip it slowly, and imagine how much better my next practice session of Grantham's Southern Harmony will go!
Just kidding. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. Stay well (with or without the single malt).
Lynn McLarty
Austin, TX
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2008-12-08 22:09
(Disclaimer - I sell a mouthpiece cleaner)
The lemon juice and vinegar are really not strong enough (2-3% citric and 3% acedic acids) to kill the bacteria causing strep throat without long contact times. Listerine contains about 26% alcohol and Purell about 65% alcohol so a contact time of 5 minutes at room temperature should work but alcohol immersion is not my favorite thing to do to hard rubber repeatedly. Sterisol contains a quaternary ammonium compound and again, a contact time of at least 5 minutes is needed for the tougher germs.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
P.S. Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) is not good for hard rubber at all - too strong an oxidizing agent - same with 5% chorine bleach - one time only solutions IMO.
Post Edited (2008-12-08 23:01)
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-12-10 03:10
First of all, the germs probably don't live very long on a mouthpiece for very long. I can't say that for sure but that's what I've been told. I've never done anything about cleaning my mouthpiece or reeds after being sick and never got sick afterwards. But just in case you're concerned, soaking it and washing it with a very soft old tooth brush or soft cloth in warm water and soap will probably do a fine job. ESP
www.peabody.jhu.edu/457 Listen to a little Mozart, live performance.
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Author: Shi-Ku Chishiki
Date: 2008-12-12 04:30
I've always used the following technique to clean mouthpieces and instruments. It's a several multi-step process. When done correctly, it'll give you results that are well worth it .
1.) Get yourself a bottle of good ol' high test 100 plus proof.
2.) Pop the cap and take a swig to make sure alcohol content is high enough to kill germs.
3.) Don't waste it! After confirming alcohol content, dribble a few drops on mouthpiece or instrument.
4.) Re-confirm alcohol content by taking another big slug.
5.) Again conserve cleaning liquid by dribbling two more drops on mouthpiece or instrument.
6.) Repeat the above alcohol confirmation process several more times until you're sure it's the right stuff.
7.) By the time you've got this far three things should be obvious.
The first is: "the bottle should be pretty well empty by now".
The second is: "you should have been able to confirm that what you've been using has a high enough alcohol content to kill any breathing germs within twenty-five feet".
And lastly: "If you've followed the above instructions to a "T", you should be at the point where you could care less if the mouthpiece or instrument has germs on it or not!"
Hope this helps.
Shi-Ku Chishiki ShiKu.Chishiki@Gmail.com
It's not the clarinet that makes the player, but the player that makes the clarinet!
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