Top Tips for Cleaning Your Musical Instruments

Hand sanitizer, bleach, latex gloves, and even toilet paper. Hygene is now

According to the Centers for Disease Control, general household Coronavirus prevention includes cleaning surfaces using soap and water, as well as EPA-registered household disinfectants.

We’re likely all familiar with these guidelines by now – but what care should musicians take to keep their instruments hygenic and in good working condition? WCM subscriber Todd Weiler posed this question to us via email, and it’s a good one:

“Any advice on how to property clean musical instruments? I’m certain some cleaners will do more damage than good.”

For many of us, music is a source of enjoyment, stress relief, and even our livelihood. It’s a way to keep us connected – even in the midst of a global pandemic.

Under normal circumstances our instruments require specific methods of cleaning and care to maintain their delicate sound. So what’s a quarantined musician to do?

We posed Todd’s question to our faculty in search of some answers. They replied with a plethora of cleaning resources and guidelines that they have used on their own instruments – and we’re passing that information on to you.

While our teachers are not health or sanitation experts and we can’t make any guarantees, we hope that these resources will help you find peace of mind and continue to make music during the pandemic.

On April 22, the National Federation of High School Associations and the National Association for Music Education issued the following guidelines for instrument hygiene during COVID-19:

“There is a difference between sterilization and disinfection of music instruments. Sterilization is limited in how long an instrument will remain sterile. Once an instrument is exposed to air or handled it is no longer sterile. However, disinfecting an instrument to make it safe to handle will last longer and is easier to achieve.

COVID-19 like, most viruses has a limited lifespan on hard surfaces. Users of musical equipment may be more susceptible to infections from instruments that are not cleaned and maintained properly, especially if they are shared school instruments.

If the cleaning process is thorough, musical instruments can be disinfected. Basic soap and water can be highly effective in reducing the number of harmful bacteria and viruses simply by carrying away the dirt and oil that they stick to.”

VIEW GUIDE TO MOUTHPIECE & INSTRUMENT HYGENE

The National Federation of High School Associations and the National Association for Music Education also recommends the following disinfectant agents:

1. Sterisol Germicide Solution can be safely used on plastics, hard rubbers, and metals.
2. Mi-T-Mist Mouthpiece Cleanser can be used on most materials. It is NOT recommended for use on hard rubber mouthpieces.
3. Isopropyl alcohol wipes are safe for most materials. They are NOT recommended for use on hard rubber mouthpieces.
4. A solution made with 50% water and 50% white vinegar or 50% water and 50% hydrogen peroxide can be safely used on plastics, hard rubbers, and metals.

While other potential disinfectants, including alcohol, boiling water, and bleach can be used as general disinfectants, they are not recommended for use on mouthpieces or instruments due to their potential effect on skin, plastics, and metals.

Whichever disinfectants are chosen, it is crucial to read the product instructions and follow them closely. Disinfectants do not remove dirt, so mouthpieces and instruments must be cleaned thoroughly before using.

Please select your instrument family:

Guitar / Piano / Percussion / Strings / Vocal Arts / Woodwinds & Brass