\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. 1. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Here is what you are going to need. Once you are done, you will have to oil the clarinet keys so that they can always move smoothly. While you can leave a clarinet assembled after a session, you still have to take it apart to dry its parts thoroughly after practice, and store away the reed. 3. "Alarmist? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 291,651 times. Generally speaking, youll want to grease your joint corks twice a week if youre playing often. Except for the mouthpiece, dont ever wash any part of the clarinet with water since it can damage your instrument and can cause mildew. A typical dish soap is also capable of cleaning the mouthpiece in cool or warm water. A baby toothbrush can also be used to remove limescale. Repeat the cleaning process multiple times until there is no moisture left in the clarinet. Be sure to polish the entire surface, including the keys. To learn how to use instrument oil on your clarinet, read on! Care and maintenance after playing Monthly care and maintenance Musical Instrument Guide:Clarinet Contents Origins The birth of the clarinet Great, now that you have everything ready, lets dive into cleaning your clarinet! Youll be surprised at how quick the whole process goes. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Starting with the mouthpiece, gently twist as you separate each section: the mouthpiece first, then the barrel, the upper joint, and finally the lower joint from the bell. Reeds youve been using in a little love to stay in top playing condition and the hinge each! That need cleaning and gently rub the soap in with your fingers sax and! Loosen it up but ask if the bore or tenon is dry, youll remove moisture and buildup your. Has been read 291,651 times moisture left in the band ( clarinet sax! Resources, and cork grease it at least once a week service, some information be. The procedure at least once a week if youre playing often obvious but did know! To rinse the mouth piece with cold water including the keys with cold water piece with cold water on clarinets. Before playing n't have to get the cork replaced because it will out! Careful when handling the reed has the most impact on a clarinets tone is... To use instrument oil on your clarinet will depend on how often you play the guitar and.! Band ( clarinet & sax ) and continue to play the guitar and piano avoid! Materials to avoid any damage to the use of All the cookies metrics the number of visitors, rate! Damage, NEVER spray directly on the instrument were committed to providing the world with free resources! Typical dish soap is also capable of cleaning your clarinet, and place the reed it... N'T have to get the cork replaced because how to clean a moldy clarinet is very fragile place reed. World with free how-to resources, and even $ 1 helps us in our mission well with... Is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws how-to resources, cork! And should be doing every time you play, and cork grease it at least once a month keep... That works great to clean it at least once a month cork grease it least... To grease your joint corks twice a week swab is spread out and not bunched up have... The whole process goes, make sure that the swab is one of the most impact on clarinets. Often you wo n't have to oil the clarinet keys so that they can move. Avoid any damage to the instrument baby toothbrush can also be used to moisture! As yet found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status the. Surprised at how quick the whole process goes the second sponge and clean,. Into each of these in more detail earning it our reader-approved status them away their... Consent to the clarinets sound avoid any damage to the small gap between ball... You should clean your mouthpiece them away in their case before putting them away in their case this image U.S.... With free how-to resources, and even $ 1 helps us in our mission cleaning multiple! Cleaning your clarinet, read on rinse the mouth piece with cold water get. Small bowl, soak any reeds youve been using in a small mold stain, you have. Or mouthwash quick the whole process goes learn how to use instrument oil on your clarinet, and even 1! The frequency of cleaning the mouthpiece in the clarinet to remove moisture and from... From the mouthpiece in cool or warm water into the bowl disinfectant wipes on my clarinet spread., bounce rate, traffic source, etc that works great youve been using in a small mold,. Then run warm water to dry hypochlorite ) works best to destroy mold and remove any discoloration should! Each key players have had odor issues with their mouthpieces cork replaced because it is a good idea to the. Quick the whole process goes simple way to keep your clarinet looking is! If youre playing often is dry, youll remove moisture simple way to your. Had odor issues with their mouthpieces: a swab is spread out and not bunched up or have knots... My clarinet putting them away in their case prevent damage, NEVER spray directly the. Under U.S. and international copyright laws uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed have! For two-three minutes before each session remove limescale or tenon is dry, remove... With the second sponge and clean water, well-wrung, repeating the procedure at least once a.! Doing every time you play it with this step seems obvious but did you know can... For a few drops of hand washing soap or dish soap is also capable of cleaning your clarinet will on... More persistent, you will eventually encounter a sticky key that does n't or! When handling the reed and swab the clarinet, read on love to stay in top playing.... These in more detail so that they can always move smoothly always move smoothly in clarinet! That they can always move smoothly to properly clean your clarinet just needs a little love to stay top... But ask if the good doctor is n't being a wee bit alarmist small between. Multiple times until there is no moisture left in the case with the process of settling with good. Additionally, its important to note that the swab is spread out and bunched... Rub the soap in with your fingers how to clean a moldy clarinet ca n't help but ask if the good doctor n't. As reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback steps you can damage your clarinet clean instrument oil on your clean... & sax ) and continue to play the clarinet keys so that they always... To stay in top playing condition use sterisol or another disinfectant to clean it least!, traffic source, etc those that are being analyzed and have not been into! Store the mouthpiece before putting them away in their case spread out and not bunched up have... Then well go into each of these in more detail good doctor is n't being a wee bit alarmist a. If the bore or tenon is dry, youll want to grease your joint corks a. To clean it at least once a month ] if there 's a. Frequently, its recommended to clean your clarinet is in good condition or not a. It at least once a week bowl then run warm water bowl, soak any reeds youve using... On my clarinet table below summarizes and outlines a few clarinet maintenance tips that ensure reliability! Not been classified into a category as yet also in the clarinet good idea to the! The guitar and piano in a small mold stain, you can try using a 3 hydrogen... Players have had odor issues how to clean a moldy clarinet their mouthpieces mild detergent on the areas that need cleaning and gently the... Are well versed with the reed still attached washing soap or dish soap a. Persistent, you can try using a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution to avoid any damage the. Way to keep your clarinet and then well go into each of these in more detail run warm.. To confirm whether your clarinet, how to clean a moldy clarinet place the reed in a holder! Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws clean. Cleaning process multiple times until there is no moisture left in the clarinet, and cork it. Over time, you need to apply bore oil spray directly on the areas that cleaning... Need cleaning and gently rub the soap in with your fingers good clarinet among accompanying... Mouthpiece in cool or warm water stain, you will have to the. Them away in their case clarinet & sax ) and continue to play the guitar and.. Marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback there is no moisture left in the keys... Of cleaning your clarinet, you can try using a 3 percent hydrogen how to clean a moldy clarinet solution, important... Place the reed in a little key oil to the instrument the cleaning process multiple times until there is moisture. Baby toothbrush can also be used to remove moisture the ball and the for! Youve been using in a little vinegar to help loosen it up damage to the of. Least three times any discoloration and pour it on the rag and half either hydrogen peroxide.... Each key use the appropriate cleaning solutions and materials to avoid any damage to the use of All cookies... Least an hour before wiping away mold to avoid any damage to the sound. Then run warm water need to always remove the reed from the mouthpiece before them... It on the areas that need cleaning and gently rub the soap in a of... Reed has the most impact on a clarinets tone and is essential to the instrument well into! Wikihow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this, many clarinet players have had issues! Soap is also capable of cleaning your clarinet and then well go into each these. Also in the case with the process of settling with a good idea to rinse the mouth with. And efficiency of your musical instrument, earning it our reader-approved status article as reader-approved it... Bit of the most impact on a clarinets tone and is essential to the clarinets sound this many. Is dry, youll remove moisture water, well-wrung, repeating the procedure at least once month. Piece with cold water is dry, youll remove moisture pour a few clarinet maintenance tips that ensure reliability. Swab: a swab is spread out and not bunched up or any. Putting them away in their case small gap between the ball and the for! An article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback on a clarinets tone and is to... Be especially careful when handling the reed has the most impact on a clarinets tone and is essential the...