In
light of the increase spread of viruses lately we thought it prudent
to share some basics on keeping your musical instrument clean and
sanitized. Brass and Wind instruments can act as Petri dishes for
harmful bacteria. Always take the time to clean and sanitize your
mouthpiece to avoid transmitting bacteria directly into your airways.
In addition, proper hand washing before and after playing your
instrument can solve many hygienic issues.
For
Brass Instruments: Always
remove your mouthpiece after playing. Drain water and wipe your
instrument with a clean soft cloth. Regularly clean your mouthpiece
with warm water and mild soap or by wiping it down with a moist
alcohol pad. Sanitization of the mouthpiece can also be done by
saturating the mouthpiece with Sterisol germicide solution. The
entire brass instrument should be periodically brought in to a repair
shop for servicing and disinfecting cleaning.
For
Wind Instruments: Internal moisture can cause cracks or mildew.
Always pull a clean, dry cleaning swab through your instrument to
remove any moisture prior to storage, wipe moisture from keys, and
store reeds in a reed holder. Clean mouthpieces, with the ligature
and reed removed, with warm soapy water being careful not to get the
cork wet. Dry completely before storing. Sterisol germicide can also
be used to sanitize wind mouthpieces. Alcohol wipes can be used to
clean a flute's lip plate. Bocals should be cleaned with a mild soap
solution, running water and a bocal brush. The entire wind instrument
should be periodically brought in to a repair shop for servicing and
disinfecting cleaning.
For
String Instruments: The best thing you can do for cleanliness is
to wash your hands before and after each practice session. If you are
using a hand sanitizer, make sure your hands are completely dry
before handling your instrument as the alcohol in the hand sanitizer
can dissolve the varnish on your instrument. We also caution against
the use of household cleaners and other chemical disinfecting
products on your instrument and bow. The disinfecting agent in most
of these products is alcohol, which can potentially cause damage to
your instrument.
