Author: alanporter
Date: 2011-05-27 00:37
I am a woodwind player and an MD with an interest in microbiology (although not the greatest in the world in either field!). I believe Sterisol is the best disinfectant for use on reeds and mouthpieces. It is both antibacterial and antifungal, and I understand that it does very little damage to reeds. I soak the reeds, both oboe and clarinet, for five minutes and let them dry without washing the solution off. I haven't noticed any change in the cane by doing this. The active ingredient in Sterisol is Hexetidine. I believe it is called Oraldene in the UK.
There is a commercial oboe reed maker who advertises that he sterilizes his reeds in 99% isopropyl alcohol before selling them. Perhaps I should tell him that many micro-organisms require a certain percentage of water to allow the alcohol to penetrate the cell wall. 70% is the optimum strength, the normal rubbing alcohol, it may seem illogical, but 70% is much more antimicrobial than 99%.
Just my ten cents worth.
tiaroa@shaw.ca
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