The Best Way to Clean and Disinfect Your Harmonica

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Keep your harmonica in tip-top playing condition with this easy guide

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Light Daily Cleaning

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Deep Cleaning

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Cleaning your harmonica keeps it sounding great and in good shape for years to come. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy—just rinse out your harmonica with warm water when you’re done playing (if it has a plastic comb), or take it apart and wipe down each piece individually for a deeper clean. Follow these tips to clean your harmonica without damaging the delicate insides and keep your instrument sounding great.

Things You Should Know

For everyday cleaning and maintenance, rinse your harmonica out with lukewarm water and tap the water out of the holes (for plastic or sealed wood combs only).
For a deep clean, disassemble the harmonica and wipe the cover plates with rubbing alcohol. Clean the comb with soapy water (plastic) or a brush (wood).
Soak the reed plates in warm water and vinegar for 30 minutes, then gently brush off debris with a soft toothbrush.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Cleaning Your Harmonica Daily

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1
Rinse with lukewarm water. If you have a diatonic harmonica with a plastic comb, simply run some lukewarm water through the harmonica. Placing the mouthpiece against your palm, tap it firmly to remove the water.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Only run water through the harmonica if your comb is plastic or sealed wood. If the comb is wooden or metal, do not run water through it.
2
Tap the harmonica after each use to remove saliva. Because a harmonica is played with the mouth, saliva and other contaminants get blown into the instrument. After each use, tap the harmonica on your hand, leg, or a towel with the holes facing down to knock out any loose saliva. This will help keep it clean and help reduce the amount of build-up in the instrument.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Try to reduce the amount of saliva that you pass into the harmonica while playing (this will keep your tone from sounding “spitty” too).
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Another way to keep your harmonica clean and rust-free is to let it fully dry after playing. When you place it in the case, leave the case open. This helps any moisture in the harmonica dry out instead of sitting there damp in your harmonica.^{[3]XResearch source}
4
Clean your mouth before playing. If you have eaten or drank anything right before playing, rinse your mouth with water. Remnants of food can get blown into the harmonica, and sugar or other contaminants from non-water beverages can build up a residue in the harmonica.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Do not play the harmonica right after brushing your teeth. Any residue left over from the toothpaste or mouthwash can build up, too.
- Don't smoke while playing the harmonica. Residue from the smoke can coat the reeds or reed plates, affecting the sound of the instrument.
5
Use a UV disinfectant bag to eliminate germs and odor. If you notice a faint odor coming from your harmonica or want to disinfect it without taking it apart, let it dry completely after rinsing or playing and place the harmonica inside a specialty UV light sanitizing bag, like the Seydel Harmonica Disinfection Bag, for about 5 minutes. Ultraviolet light and ozone kill odor-causing bacteria, fungi, and viruses inside the instrument.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Use the UV bag whenever you notice an odor or have shared your harmonica with another person. You likely won’t need to use it daily, but it will not harm the instrument if you do.
- Most disinfectant bags are silicone and rechargeable with a USB or micro-USB cord. Follow your product’s instructions.
- UV cleaners don’t remove debris.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Deep Cleaning Your Harmonica

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1
Remove the cover plates and wipe them with rubbing alcohol. Use the appropriate screwdriver to remove the cover plates of the harmonica. Some harmonicas use a Phillips-head screwdriver, while others use a flat head. Place the screws in a safe place where they won't be lost.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Then, spray both sides of each cover plate with rubbing alcohol and wipe them dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.
2
Unscrew the reed plates. After removing the cover plates, use the screwdriver to remove the screws attached to the reed plates. Keep the screws in the order from which you remove them so they are placed back in the same hole as before.^{[7]XResearch source}
- The reed plates are metal rectangles with different-sized slots covered by metal reeds (flat metal springs). The reeds vibrate as you inhale or exhale to create sound.
3
Soak the reed plates in warm water and white vinegar. Grab a shallow bowl or dish and fill it with enough warm water to cover the plates, then add a splash of distilled white vinegar (or lemon juice or citric acid). Let them soak for approximately half an hour.^{[8]XResearch source}
- The water and acidic vinegar help soften and break down solid debris on the reed plates, making it easier to wipe away later.
4
Clean the comb. While the reed plates are soaking, clean the comb. If the comb is plastic, clean it with soap and warm water. Use a soft toothbrush to brush the deposits off the comb.^{[9]XResearch source} Or, spray the comb with rubbing alcohol and wipe it with a soft brush or cloth. Use something sharp, like a toothpick, to dig any build-up off the comb.
- If you have a wooden comb, do not use water or soap. Just use the brush or the sharp object. If you have a metal comb, dry it thoroughly before reassembling.^{[10]XResearch source}
5
Clean the reed plates. Remove the reed plates from the water and use a soft toothbrush to gently brush them.^{[11]XResearch source} Do not scrub the reed plates with lots of pressure. Instead, lightly brush the reed plates along the reeds from the rivet down. Don't brush against the reeds or snag the ends of the reeds (this can damage them or mess up the notes of the harmonica).
- Never brush across the reed. Only brush in the direction of the reed.
- Clean the other side of the reed plate as vigorously as you want since it has no reeds.
- Then run it under warm water to rinse.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Alternatively, clean the reed plates with a cotton swab and hydrogen peroxide.^{[13]XResearch source}
6
Let the harmonica dry fully, then reassemble it. Pat the harmonica as dry as you can with a clean cloth, then lay the pieces out in a safe spot so the small crevices air dry completely as well. The harmonica is ready to play as soon as it’s reassembled.
- Tighten all of the screws evenly before you tighten them as far as they can go.^{[14]XResearch source}

Community Q&A

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Question
How do I get staining off my reed plates?
Community Answer
Soak the reed plates in a solution of Keureg K-Cup Machine Cleaner and hot water for 30 minutes.
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Do I have to put the screws back in their original order?
Community Answer
If the screws have any differences between them (length, diameter, etc.), then yes, you have to put them back in their original order. If they are all the same, don't worry about it.
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How do I know what the comb is made of?
Community Answer
Look at it. If it looks like plastic, it's plastic. If it looks like wood, it's wood. If it looks like metal, it's metal.
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Tips

Keep your pieces safe in a (preferably sunny) dry location while drying, especially out of reach from pets.
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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of How.com.vn readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on How.com.vn, please submit it in the field below.

When drying, place the pieces in a small, airtight jar with a $1 silica gel moisture absorber. The $1 spend will last you over a year and it speeds up drying time by 50 percent.
Don't let others use your harmonica, since their saliva, germs, or food particles could get inside your instrument.

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