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The mouthpiece is fairly tough, but the slide and blank bend easily, so when cleaning they are laid down on a counter, and cleaned with a toothbrush with a drop of liquid dish soap on it. To clean the mouthpiece, just hold it in your hand and wash it with the toothbrush.Take your favorite mug fill with about two thirds tepid water from the kettle and about one third vinegar – place your harp in the solution for twenty to thirty minutes – rinse thoroughly with clean tepid water – tap out both sides onto the palm of your hand – your harp will look and sound bright!
Contents
Can I clean my harmonica without taking it apart?
Take your favorite mug fill with about two thirds tepid water from the kettle and about one third vinegar – place your harp in the solution for twenty to thirty minutes – rinse thoroughly with clean tepid water – tap out both sides onto the palm of your hand – your harp will look and sound bright!
How do you maintain a chromatic harmonica?
If you play your chromatic harmonica daily, regardless of make, sooner rather than later you’re going to need to clean it and lubricate the slide. And every 10-40 hours of playing you may need to clean the comb/reed/ breath saver assembly.
Is it OK to wash a harmonica?
Washing. This process should be part of your regular routine of instrument cleaning, as it’s simple and quick, and will help to limit saliva buildup in the harp. Rinse the harmonica with lukewarm water, then tap it against your hand, with the mouthpiece facing down, to remove any residual water.
Can I clean my harmonica with rubbing alcohol?
While 70 per cent alcohol is effective at cleaning off thermometers and stethoscopes, it is not idea for disinfecting a harmonica. Alcohol is very volatile and evaporates quickly – anything less than 70 per cent concentration will not be effective.
How do you clean a harmonica with hydrogen peroxide?
Submerge harmonica in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and soak for 5 to 10 minutes (please be aware that if your immune system is suppressed, this may not be a sufficient form of sterilization as some bacteria are resistant to 3 percent hydrogen peroxide). Rinse under tap water.
How long do harmonicas last?
The reed has cracked at the base, and either it, or the harmonica needs to be replaced. Most go for the latter. With steady playing, a harmonica should go at least 6 months before a reed goes bad. Modern harmonicas seem to last much longer than the older ones.
Can you boil a harmonica?
However, soaking or boiling a harmonica may make painted surfaces peel, cause the wooden combs to warp or crack, promote corrosion of metal reeds and the reed plate, destroy the wind saving valves and void the warranty. In short, soaking or boiling your harmonica may damage it beyond repair.
Can harmonicas go out of tune?
Harmonicas can go out of tune with playing, and even new harps straight from the factory aren’t always in good tune. But you don’t have to accept what you get — you can correct out-of-tune notes. Harmonica tuning follows straightforward procedures, but it has some ins and outs that you need to know.
Is it safe to play an old harmonica?
There is little danger of infection or any other negative consequences if the harmonica is reasonably clean. Germs don’t survive for long if the instrument is kept dry. If you want to be on the safe side, try spraying the outside (mouthpiece, covers etc.)
Can you clean a harmonica with alcohol?
Cleaning the Comb – spray with alcohol and use small round brush to clean holes and chambers. Then wipe dry with cloth. Cleaning the Cover Plates – spray with alcohol and carefully wipe inside and outside surfaces with cloth.
How do you clean a harmonica with hydrogen peroxide?
Submerge harmonica in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and soak for 5 to 10 minutes (please be aware that if your immune system is suppressed, this may not be a sufficient form of sterilization as some bacteria are resistant to 3 percent hydrogen peroxide). Rinse under tap water.
Is it safe to play an old harmonica?
There is little danger of infection or any other negative consequences if the harmonica is reasonably clean. Germs don’t survive for long if the instrument is kept dry. If you want to be on the safe side, try spraying the outside (mouthpiece, covers etc.)
How To Clean And Lubricate A Chromatic Harmonica | Masters of Harmonica
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How to clean a harmonica without scary chemicals (Sugarcain Harmonicas Method) – YouTube
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The Quick And Easy Way to Clean A Chromatic Harmonica Kettlewell – YouTube
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Cleaning tips for Harmonica with Steve Baker – YouTube
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Harp On! Chromatic Harmonica Maintenance, Cleaning
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How To Clean And Lubricate A Chromatic Harmonica
HOW TO CLEAN AND LUBRICATE A
CHROMATIC HARMONICA
By David Kettlewell
If you play your chromatic harmonica daily, regardless of make, sooner rather than later you’re going to need to clean it and lubricate the slide. And every 10-40 hours of playing you may need to clean the comb/reed/ breath saver assembly.
The information on how to do this is below, broken down into chunks to make it easier. Read it several times, and view our video on HOW TO CLEAN AND LUBRICATE A HARMONICA, which we are working on.
The first few times you service your harmonica , it will feel awkward… then it becomes easy.
WHY HARMONICAS NEED TO BE CLEANED
When you blow on your harmonica (not when you draw) the moisture and some of the saliva in your mouth end up on the mouthpiece. Over time this builds up and the slide gets sticky feeling when you press the button which activates the slide.
You’ll also notice that on models (other than the Seydel Saxony, whose breath savers do not stick) of harmonica, regardless of manufacturer, the breath savers start sticking.
You’ll know this because when you start to blow on the note, it will hesitate…not sounding… and then as you increase air pressure it will “pop open” making a clear tone. But you’ve lost early response of the reed to the place.
The little plastic breath saver is sticking.
It sticks because saliva and moisture have accumulated on the breath saver and the reed plate, and this creates stiction (or stickiness) between the two.
You’ll also find that reeds sound a bit better when clean, the blow reeds get dirty too over time. The draw reeds do not get dirty as your mouth’s moisture and saliva don’t enter the harmonica when you draw…but only when you blow. (Note all draw reeds on cross tuned and straight tuned harmonicas are on the outside of the reed plates, draw reeds on the inside. This is done to allow you to service the blow breath savers if you are so inclined.)
So let’s get started and clean and lubricate your instrument.
For the purpose of this article we are assuming you want to clean and lubricate the mouthpiece and slide, AND want to clean the comb with its bolted on reed plates…that reed plate having the reeds and breath savers attached.
WARNING: ALWAYS WASH YOUR MOUTH WITH WATER BEFORE PLAYING, NEVER PLAY AFTER YOU EAT FOOD OR SNACKS UNLESS YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH AND RINSE CAREFULLY, AND DON’T DRINK ANYTHING OTHER THAN WATER BEFORE YOU PLAY. OTHERWISE, SUGAR OR FOOD PARTICLES WILL GET ON THE INSIDE OF YOUR HARMONICA. IF IT’S IN YOUR MOUTH IT ENDS UP IN THE HARMONICA.
We will cover how to clean and assemble the mouthpiece first, then I’ll go over how to clean the comb with reeds and breath savers. But first…the mouthpiece.
STEP #1….DISASSEMBLE THE MOUTHPIECE, SLIDE, BLANK, MOUTHPIECE SCREWS AND BUMPERS
Taking your mouthpiece off is easier than putting it on.
First, find a well lit tabletop near a faucet. I use the kitchen counter. Wipe off the counter…be sure it’s clean…no food, no gook….and move the food and other stuff away from the area you will use to work on the harmonica. If the lighting is not good, bring over a lamp or work light. Most kitchen sinks have a window above them, so in daytime it’s bright.
Place the harmonica on its long backend (the back usually has the manufacturer’s name printed on it) with the mouthpiece (or holes) sticking up, on top.
You’ll notice that the mouthpiece is held on with two screws located at the far ends of the mouthpiece, which are almost always Phillips head, although Hohner uses flat blade screws. (A Phillips screw looks like it has an “X” on the top, a flat head screw just has a single sideways slit in it for the screwdriver. You use different screwdrivers for the two types: Phillips or Flathead. You must have a screwdriver which fits the screw head properly, if you don’t go to a hardware store and buy one. )
Insert the correct sized screwdriver into the mouthpiece screws and unscrew them (counterclockwise) until you hear a little “click” sound. The “click” sound means the threads have exited the threads.
Then take your fingers and remove the mouthpiece from the body of the harmonica (the body of the harmonica is made up of the comb or center section, and the reed plates attached on both sides, and the covers which you use to hold the harmonica when you play it, the mouthpiece screws and the two little tiny tubelike “bumpers” which go around the screws on the inside of the mouthpiece assembly.)
If the mouthpiece doesn’t come off easily the mouthpiece screws need to be unscrewed a bit more.
When the mouthpiece comes off, it’s really a mix of three major parts or two major parts, depending on the make of the harmonica, the two screws which hold the mouthpiece to the comb of the harmonica, and on the underside of the mouthpiece, the BUMPERS actually go around the two mouthpiece screws on the INSIDE of the mouthpiece.
The MOUTHPIECE is the part your lips touch. It has the big round holes in it. You put it in your mouth to play the harmonica, and your lips slide back and forth across it. With a 16 hole harmonica there are 16 holes, with a 14 hole harmonica there are 14 holes, and with a 12 hole harmonica there are 12 holes.
Just under the mouthpiece is the “SLIDE,” it’s called that because it SLIDES back and forth when you press the button, and it raises the tone a half step when it’s pushed in. Note that it seats on a little spring head at one end of the harmonica, so that the slide returns when you release the button.
Under the slide is a blank, or piece with checkered holes. Then there’s the comb and cover assembly which is still assembled, we haven’t taken the covers off yet.
Let’s get back to the bumpers for a moment.
They are very small, perhaps 3/8 inch long and 1/16th inch wide, just big enough to slide onto the mouthpiece screw on the underside of the mouthpiece. They are EASILY LOST when you work on your harmonica.
The BUMPERS play an important role: when you push the slide in, the slide bumps into the bumpers instead of hitting the mouthpiece screws…thus absorbing shock and keeping the slide from making a “click” noise when the side is pushed in or released.
Without the bumpers on the mouthpiece screws, you’d hear a click each time you push in the slide, and every time you release it, as the slide would hit the mouthpiece screws directly.
You can tell when the bumpers are worn out…because your slide clicks when you push it in and when you release it. (Another article and video explain how to replace bumpers).
(Note: the current Suzuki chromatics have a “2-piece” mouthpiece. They’ve eliminated the blank, so there’s just the mouthpiece and the slide which go directly onto the comb. Yes, you are correct, that means the slide runs right on the comb, it seems to work well.)
(Note: It is not necessary to remove the covers from the harmonica and access the reeds and breath savers if all you want to do is clean and lubricate the mouthpiece.)
Let’s finish cleaning and lubricating the mouthpiece, and then go over how to clean the reed plates and breath savers.
So, so far, we have the mouthpiece off. Remove the mouthpiece screws which are in the mouthpiece, and place the screws and the little bumpers somewhere where they will not be disturbed.
WARNING: it is very easy to lose the bumpers, they are often clear, very small, and thus very hard to see. Place them with the mouthpiece screws on a little dish, or someplace totally safe.
Take the slide off the mouthpiece, and if there is a blank take it off too.
The mouthpiece is fairly tough, but the slide and blank bend easily, so when cleaning they are laid down on a counter, and cleaned with a toothbrush with a drop of liquid dish soap on it.
To clean the mouthpiece, just hold it in your hand and wash it with the toothbrush. Just put one drop of liquid dish detergent on the toothbrush. When done just lay it in the sink.
To clean the slide it MUST be laid flat on the kitchen counter with the button protruding off the counter, so the slide is flat to the counter, then you can use the toothbrush. Lay it in the sink.
To clean the blank…if your harmonica has one (Hohner 280 C’s have them) lay it on the counter and clean it with the toothbrush.
Never bend the slide, or the blank…they will be useless and cannot be repaired.
Don’t forget, these are carefully machined parts and the slide and blank easily bend.
After you have scrubbed them they must be carefully rinsed in warm water, for about 20 seconds each.
Any residue of soap left will leave a soap taste in your mouth.
To dry the MOUTHPIECE, just take an older lint free towel and dab it, then blow it with air you’re your mouth, to blow off any residue moisture.
To dry the SLIDE, pick it up between your thumb and forefinger and run it through your fingertips to wipe off the water.
Then place it on a dry counter top with the button hanging over the side, and dab it.
Be sure there is no LINT RESIDUE left on the slide.
To dry the BLANK, if you have one, follow the instructions for drying the slide, but of course there is no button.
LUBRICATION
Lubricating the slide most certainly does provide better operation of the harmonica, a very slight amount of oil on the slide allows it to slide more smoothly, and quietly.
But one must be careful, because if you use too much oil, you can mess up the breath savers and the reeds. Suzuki does not sell the oil in the U.S. because it’s misused, and ends up gunking up harmonicas which they have to clean.
Put one very small drop of slide oil on your index fingertip, and rub it with your thumb.
I recommend Hetman Synthetic light bearing and linkage lubricant #13 (used to lubricate saxophone linkages) if you cannot locate slide oil, which is likely the case in the United States.
You now have a very thin film of oil on your thumb and forefinger of one hand.
Take the slide in one hand and rub the oil with your thumb and finger onto both sides of the slide, and on the very thin outer edge. Take the oil up to within ¼ inch of the button on the slide.
Dry your thumb and forefinger and lightly wipe the slide again, removing all but a very very thin layer of oil from the slide. You want no extra, no drips, no runs, just a very very thin coating of oil you cannot see, and can only barely feel.
Now the mouthpiece assembly is ready for reinstallation on the comb.
REASSEMBLY
Your first step is to place the lubricated slide back onto the comb. The comb should be placed bottom down with the checker holes on top and the covers on either side. One end of the comb has a tiny spring head protruding up, and this spring end goes into the tiny hole on the slide.
When on correctly, the slide fits on top of the comb.
Orient the comb with slide so that the spring is on the right side.
(If you have a blank on your harmonica, it goes on top of the comb, and sits underneath the slide, with the little rectangular cutout oriented on the same side as the slide spring. This way, the spring can slide left and back when you press the slide.)
Now reinstall the two mouthpiece screws into the mouthpiece, with the screws facing down.
Correctly installed, the screw heads will be visible from the TOP of the mouthpiece, and the screws will project out the bottom of the mouthpiece about half an inch.
They don’t fit snugly and will fall out if you turn the mouthpiece bottom end up…don’t do this.
Holding the mouthpiece parallel to the kitchen counter, screw ends down, orient the mouthpiece with screws until the screws face away from you and horizontal.
Using your thumb to keep the screw heads in place in the mouthpiece, gently place the bumpers back on the screws.
This is not as easy as it sounds.
They are hard to fit on, very small, and note they actually seat just a little bit into the underside of the mouthpiece.
You have to make sure the bumpers are on all the way.
Push the bumpers into the underside of the mouthpiece as far as you can.
Notice that one end of the mouthpiece has a slide cut into it at one end, which allows the slide to move on the spring.
That end of the mouthpiece should be lined up with the comb’s right side, as you put the harmonica comb on the counter with the slide spring on the right.
Place the left screw into the hole in the comb and then drop the right side into place.
NOW, TURN THE harmonica so that the button is on the left. Depress the slide gently and wiggle the parts gently until the slide seats into the mouthpiece…but the screws are still not tightened.
You can push down gently on the mouthpiece to be sure the assembly is correctly aligned.
When correctly aligned the slide will move smoothly and all will feel snug.
If you lifted the slide button at all it will lift off the slide spring, and you’ll have to take the mouthpiece off again and reset the slide on the spring, then follow the above directions to get the mouthpiece back on and aligned.
After you are sure all is aligned correctly, start gently screwing the mouthpiece screws back into the comb.
Go slowly, see how it’s going, the screws should go in smoothly, tighten just a bit on one side, then the other.
When the screws are just barely starting to grip the mouthpiece, holding all snug…just snug…not tight, TEST the fit of the slide and mouthpiece assembly again. It should operate normally.
Now the screws can be tightened just a little bit more, you want them tight enough to seal the mouthpiece assembly, but not binding.
They are not tightened as tight as a typical screw to nut, but just a little tight.
If the slide is binding, loosen the mouthpiece screws.
If the mouthpiece feels loose, tighten a bit more.
When you tighten or loosen mouthpiece screws, adjust both ends to keep things equal, then test the slide operation.
A clean, well lubricated slide will move easily and quietly in the mouthpiece, WITH NO BINDING.
(If your slide is binding, it may be too tight, or it’s possible a little piece of the bumper is jammed in the screw hole. If the bumpers are not in position correctly or are worn out, you will hear a click sound when you depress the slide. This is the slide smacking directly into the mouthpiece screw. If this is the case you will have to order new bumper tubing from the manufacturer, and cut a little replacement bumper using an industrial razorblade on a wooden cutting board, or send it in for service. To cut bumpers, them to the size of the old ones, (lay them side by side) or just a hair longer as sometimes the bumpers wear a bit at their ends. On some harmonicas, the slide hits the bumper in the middle of the bumper, on others on the low end, thus bumpers wear differently on different model harmonicas).
If you have no ability to work with your hands, I wouldn’t use the oil at all, as too much will mean the harmonica has to back in for service, as the oil will get to the little plastic breath savers.)
.
How do I clean my harmonica without taking it apart?
I have seen many videos on “how to clean harmonicas”, but in all of them, you have to take the harmonica apart, clean it and reassemble it.
The thing is there’s no marine band harmonica in my country. I bought it from the US on Amazon and I can’t afford to take it apart. If something bad happens while taking it apart and putting it back together, I can’t order another one easily. Besides, when you take the harmonica apart, you might have to retune it, and I don’t know how to do that. Again, I can’t afford to take the risk.
So is there any way to clean the harmonica without taking it apart, and without damaging the holes or changing the tune? I used to clean my Chinese haps with alcohol or water, but I don’t know if it’s the right way to do it for this one.
EDIT
Would putting some water or alcohol in every hole and then drying it with a hairdryer work? The hairdryer would remove the moisture from the water or alcohol.
Harp On! Chromatic Harmonica Maintenance, Cleaning
Chromatic Harmonica Cleaning
HOME
How to Keep Your
Chromatic Harmonica
Clean
This covers everything from daily habits to a thorough clean, but please if you own a Customised Harmonica ask your customiser for guidelines on safe cleaning habits as they may have different design features that are vunerable to some products. eg. Bleach, solvents & detergents could be a problem for certain designs.
* Bleach will ruin and discolour any silver plating or components.
* Some custom designed harmonicas rely on certain adhesives which solvents and detergents could ruin or remove.
* Wood if submerged in water will swell, warp, and later on shrink and possibly split.
* Some solvents (and solvent glues) can ruin certain types of plastic on contact.
NB. This page currently does not cover Bass & Chord harmonicas despite their chromatic nature.
Guide to Cleaning your Chrom
Treat your chromatic harmonica with respect.
Keeping your harmonica clean keeps it playing better & you healthier.
I think it is important to thoroughly clean my chromatics from time to time for health reasons, as well as to avoid a sticky slide action and reduce windsaver problems.
Thourough cleaning is especially important when you sell or purchase a second hand harmonica.
By its nature the harmonica is an ideal breeding ground for little nasty cultures, when food debris and sticky saliva is blown through with a players warm breath. In the past I have been disgusted by the green fuzz & other unmentionables I’ve found under the covers after a few months of playing. Hopefully that’s enough motivation for you to get the covers off your instrument.
Food for Thought
An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of …. well you know.
What you put in your mouth will end up in your harmonica when you play it.
Don’t play during or after eating.
Avoid beverages while playing other than water .
. Ideally brush your teeth and even floss before performing.
I carry a little traveling toothbrush in my harmonica bags so I have no excuse.
I carry a little traveling toothbrush in my harmonica bags so I have no excuse. Failing that keep Wrigley’s Extra Sugarfree gum with you and use a few before performing.
Give the mouthpiece a little wash under a tap with the mouthpiece facing down after performing and wipe dry.
Do not let other people play your harmonicas unless you trust them and have a means of cleaning your harmonica afterwards.
Individual alcohol wipes are a good for this.
Daily Cleaning
Unsticking the Slide, Errant Windsavers and Keeping the Mouthpiece Clean
When you go to play your chromatic you may find the slide is stuck, usually its due to dried saliva and residue from playing that makes the slide stick.
There are a few things you can do to free up the slide action:
Give a gentle but firm push on the button, but don’t force it.
Play softly providing warm air & moisture to free it up.
Facing the holes downward at 45 degrees dribble tap water across the mouthpiece and angle into the button end of the slide. Alternatively dip only the mouthpiece (holes down) into water until the water level reaches just over the slide. The moisture should help release it with a short soak. Give the button a few firm pushes to free up the slide. Then shake out the excess water.
Monthly Cleaning
Cleaning the slide assembly & windsavers on a fairly regular basis will avoid problems. I figure about once a month is close enough, but whenever troubles begin is a good indicator anyway.
Cleaning the Slide Assembly When the slide resists pushing, sticks regularly or has sluggish reaction its time to give the slide assembly a good clean.
Disassemble just the mouthpiece & slide assembly as described above.
You can use a damp rag, an old toothbrush dipped in water or paper tissues at your discretion.
With each part laid carefully on a hard flat surface clean off any debris & goop that has collected.
With the slide take care to ensure the button hangs over the edge of the surface to avoid bending the slide.
hangs over the edge of the surface to avoid bending Dry off each part with a clean rag or similar.
You may want to do the same with the front of the comb & covers as a film does form here.
If you are using a toothbrush take care not to poke it into the holes because of the windsavers & reeds.
Reassemble the mouthpiece & slide assembly. As a general rule water is the best lubricant for the slide action. Other lubricants can be poisonous, and also can cause collection of food particals and bacteria. Its better to keep the slide mechanism clean and use a small amount of water.
Cleaning Windsavers
When you start getting regular popping and buzzing from your harmonica its time to give the windsavers a good clean.
Following the disassembly instructions above, remove the covers & reedplates from your harmonica. (The mouthpiece & slide can stay)
Get an old toothbrush (relatively clean) & a mug of warm water and possibly a little dishwashing liquid, isopropal alcohol or a few drops of bleach. Do not mix bleach, with dishwashing liquid in water as it produces chlorine gas. Bleach will discolour any silver plating or components
With the reedplates and windsavers you want to take great care. Initially clean the reedplates with gentle strokes from the center of the reedplate to the edge following the line of the reeds & windsavers, this way you don’t mess up the windsavers or bust reeds.
Soak the reedplates for two minutes in (prefeably distilled) water
water Put news print between the windsavers & reedplates and very slowly pull the paper out, repeat a few times.
This is to clean the remaining gunge out and help dry them off.
If you have two flap windsavers you can also use this procedure between the flaps as well.
If you like give the comb a quick going over with the toothbrush as well.
Rince everything else except the reedplates under the tap.
The simply sit the reedplates by a dehumidifier or in the hot water cupboard and let them dry out naturally.
DO NOT PUT IN DIRECT HEAT!
AVOID HEATERS, HAIRDRIERS AND HOT DASHBOARDS
Once dry gently pat off any residue.
Reassemble harmonica.
Polishing Out Corrosion
Thanks Ken
However with Gold or Silver plated parts typically the mouthpiece, DO NOT use abrassives. You can safely use PURE lemon juice and water with a soft cloth, this can also remove mild tarnishing.
Sanitising
This is a full blown routine I follow when I receive or sell a second hand chromatic harmonica. Its also good to do once in a while just to keep your harmonica healthy for you. The idea is to wash out or kill anything that can breed and make it nice & clean so it works smoothly. If you own a customised harmonica please ask your customiser on safe methods, some bleaches & detergents can cause problems for custom harmonicas. Don’t use bleach with silver plating or components.
Get a relatively clean toothbrush and a big mug of warm water. Put in a short squirt of dishwashing liquid into the water. Alternatives are bleach (but don’t mix with dishwashing liquid or silver plating or components) or better yet isopropal alcohol in a spray mister.
The solution is up to you as long as its safe for the harmonica and you, but if it effectively cleans & sanitises the instrument then this is ideal.
The solution is up to you as long as its safe for the harmonica and you, but if it effectively cleans & sanitises the instrument then this is ideal. Take chromatic harp apart, covers, reedplates, mouthpiece & slide assembly, the spring & cover struts can stay. As described above.
This is a good point to remove any sad looking windsavers, once the harmonica is clean & dry you can replace them before reassembling.
Windsaver replacement instructions are in the Windsavers section.
Windsaver replacement instructions are in the Windsavers section. Any rust can be removed from metal parts at this point as described in Polishing Out Rust section above.
Using the toothbrush & water solution clean into the mouthpiece, covers & comb until clean, really getting into every nook and cranny.
Refer to Cleaning Windsavers and Cleaning the Slide Assembly for instructions on how to clean these parts as they require a lot of care, use the toothbrush with the solution though.
getting into every nook and cranny. Refer to Cleaning Windsavers and Cleaning the Slide Assembly for instructions on how to clean these parts as they require a lot of care, use the toothbrush with the solution though. Rinse everything off gently with clean water, except if you have used the distilled water routine with the reedplates then just let them be.
if you have used the distilled water routine with the reedplates then just let them be. Gently pat everything down gently with clean cloth to dry the worst off and leave everything out & apart to let the rest evaporate. DO NOT PUT IN DIRECT HEAT!
AVOID HEATERS, HAIRDRIERS AND HOT DASHBOARDS
Once dry gently pat off any residue.
Isopropyl alcohol is especially effective if used in a spray mister. A light spray over a disassembled instrument, give it 12 seconds to evaporate will kill any germs. Gently wipe off any residue and theres no after taste.
You can now replace any windsavers as described in the Windsavers section.
Reassemble the harmonica as described above …And if you are selling it … don’t play it!
I do NOT recommend
general use of
Denture Cleaning Tablets
on
Chromatic Harmonicas
They remove windsavers from the reedplates, but not reliably or efficiently unfortunately.
It leaves a residue behind which is bad news for the slide & windsavers.
Possibly could react with the various metals & plating used with Chroms, especially in custom models.
However Denture Cleaning Tablets are useful for sanitising certain parts of the harp depending what they are made of. For instance a chrom plated mouthpiece would be a good candidate since matter gets caught in nooks & crannies. However I wouldn’t put a silver plated components in with these tablets. If you’re not sure, then don’t do it.
Sanitising Diatonic Harmonicas
Take diatonic harp apart.
Clean everything with a toothbrush & the solution described above.
With the reedplates gently stroke from the base of the reeds to the tips and on to the edge of the plate.
If you go any other way you can end up loosing a reed (this is from experience).
Rinse everything off with water, shake the comb & coverplates off.
Let the reedplates drip dry.
Isopropyl alcohol is especially effective if used in a spray mister. A light spray over a disassembled instrument, give it 12 seconds to evaporate will kill any germs. Gently wipe off any residue and theres no after taste.
Reassemble.
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