Cleaning my clarinet-for hygiene purposes

[ClarinetBeginner]

I've started to wonder about this recently.
I do my cleaning routine where I just pull thru my clarinet with a swab and wipe the outside with a universal cloth I got from a instrument store. Then I read a few articles..see below.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/...n-clarinet-instrument-woodwind_n_4221368.html
http://bodyodd.nbcnews.com/_news/2011/03/22/6314989-your-kids-crusty-clarinet-may-be-harboring-germs
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-...-breath-that-clarinet-could-be-a-germ-factory

So my question is: do you clean your clarinet for hygiene purposes, and do I really need to do so? If so, how?

Any tips, help or ideas would be great. Thanks much.

 

[Steve]

Yes, that has been discussed here ==> http://www.woodwindforum.com/forum/...f-your-instrument-clean-Lung-Disease-problems

It can happen with any instrument.
Brass (trombone, french horn, trumpet, etc) and every woodwind is susceptible to that.

If one does regular maintenance, such as (for brass) getting the instrument flushed periodically at a repair shop it shouldn't be too much of a worry. Plus adding one's own cleaning with the supplies in the above thread it should be no issue.

The company branded bore oil actually has good properties on cleaning wood. I actually use it to kill green gunk. Vinegar also works (the stuff ppl use to clean dirty coffee pots right ?).

Don't forget the mouthpiece. Put in vinegar for a minute or two and wash clean. You can also dip in mouthwash for a minute or two to sanitize a bit more.

That reed ... don't use it forever especially after it starts getting darker with constant use. That is an indication of water being in the reed over time or mold possibly growing inside of it.


Also, one shouldn't smoke, drink alcohol, put asbestos in the blender uncovered and eat too much red meat.

 

[pete]

Also, one shouldn't smoke, drink alcohol, put asbestos in the blender uncovered and eat too much red meat.

It will blend.

While I'm not terribly sure about drinking alcohol and/or having red meat before you play, one shouldn't eat/drink things that are terribly sugary before you play. I think I could extend that prohibition to caramel-colored "sugar free" soft drinks, too, like Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi. Also, if you chew gum, don't while playing.

The vinegar that cleans glass/plastic coffee pots is white vinegar. You probably would do poorly if you picked up a bottle of malt vinegar at your local Long John Silver's or other fish restaurant.

TIL (today I learned) that bore oil can kill green gunk. You get an upvote thanks!

 

[Tony Fairbridge]

Don't forget the mouthpiece. Put in vinegar for a minute or two and wash clean. You can also dip in mouthwash for a minute or two to sanitize a bit more.

I find that I get better results with lemon juice. I use Milton for sanitizing (used for sterilizing infant feeding bottles).