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Designed by Michael Hollis

COVID-19 and Instrument Hygiene for Musicians

Amid the growing concern of COVID-19, we feel it is both helpful and necessary to share information regarding the cleaning and disinfecting of musical instruments.

Sterilization vs. Disinfection

More and more our society is pushing for products that are anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral. Some even aim to achieve total sterilization (elimination of all microorganisms). Keep in mind that total sterility is nearly impossible. Once a sterile object has been handled or exposed to air, it is no longer sterile. It can, however, remain disinfected (elimination/reduction of most microorganisms) until used.

Most viruses cannot live on hard surfaces for a prolonged period of time. Some die simply with exposure to air. However, certain groups are quite hardy. Therefore, musicians must be concerned with instrument hygiene. Users of school owned and rented musical equipment may be more susceptible to infections from instruments that are not cleaned and maintained properly.

If the cleaning process is thorough, however, 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.

Instrument Hygiene

Since the transmission of bacteria and viruses is a real consideration and concern, it is apparent that there should be a protocol with regard to shared musical instruments. Sharing of instruments is routine in music classrooms, where students practice and perform on borrowed instruments throughout the year. Therefore, certain basic considerations and recommendations for standard operating procedures regarding shared instruments are recommended as follows:

All musicians or students should have their own instrument if possible.
All musicians or students should have their own mouthpiece if possible.
Any musicians sharing reed instruments MUST have their own individual reeds. Reeds should NEVER be shared.
If instruments must be shared in class, alcohol wipes or disinfectant solution should be available for use between different players.

When renting or using a school-owned musical instrument, each user must understand that regular cleaning of these musical instruments is required in order to practice proper hygiene.

Before using a shared instrument for the first time, use of alcohol wipes, swabs, or disinfectant solution to thoroughly clean both the outside and the inside of the mouthpiece is highly recommended. It is also essential to maintain overall cleanliness via the use of cleaning rods, swabs, mouthpiece brushes, etc., as this is necessary to prevent buildup of residue within the instrument.

Mouthpieces

Mouthpieces (including flute headjoints, english horn and bassoon bocals, and saxophone neck crooks) are essential parts of wind instruments. Since these components are placed in or near the player’s mouth, they (reeds included) harbor the greatest quantities of bacteria.

Adhering to the following procedures will help to keep mouthpieces and instruments clean and safe for continued use.

Cleaning the Flute Head Joint

Using a cotton swab saturated with denatured, isopropyl alcohol, carefully clean around the embouchure hole.
Alcohol wipes can be used on the flute’s lip plate to kill germs if the flute shared by several players.
Using a soft, lint-free silk cloth inserted into the cleaning rod, clean the inside of the headjoint.
Do not run the headjoint under water as it may saturate and eventually shrink the headjoint cork.

Cleaning Bocals

Bocals should be cleaned every month with a bocal brush, mild soap solution, and running water.
English Horn bocals can be cleaned with a pipe cleaner, mild soap solution, and running water. Be careful not to scratch the inside of the bocal with the exposed wire ends of the pipe cleaner.

Cleaning Hard Rubber (Ebony) Mouthpieces

Mouthpieces should be swabbed after each use and cleaned weekly.
Select a small container that will accommodate the mouthpiece vertically and place the mouthpiece, tip down, into the container.
Fill the container just past the window of the mouthpiece with a solution of 50% water and 50% white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Protect clarinet mouthpiece corked tenons from moisture.
After the mouthpiece has soaked for fifteen minutes, use an appropriately sized mouthpiece brush to remove any calcium deposits or other residue from inside and outside surfaces. This step may need to be repeated if the mouthpiece is excessively dirty.
Rinse the mouthpiece thoroughly and then saturate with disinfectant solution. Place on paper towel and wait one minute.
Wipe dry with paper towel.
Note: Metal saxophone mouthpieces clean up well with hot water, mild dish soap (not dishwasher detergent), and a mouthpiece brush. Disinfectant solution is also safe for metal mouthpieces.

Cleaning Saxophone Necks (Crooks)

Swabs are available to clean the inside of the saxophone neck. However, many saxophonists use a flexible bottlebrush and toothbrush to accomplish the same results.
The saxophone neck should be swabbed after each use and cleaned weekly.
Use the bottlebrush with mild, soapy water to clean the inside of the neck.
Rinse under running water.
Disinfectant solution may be used on the inside of the neck if desired. Place on paper towel for one minute.
Rinse again under running water, dry, and place in the case.

Cleaning Brass Instrument Mouthpieces

Mouthpieces should be cleaned monthly.
Use a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water to clean the outside of the mouthpiece.
Use a mouthpiece brush with warm, soapy water to clean the inside.
Rinse the mouthpiece and dry thoroughly.
Disinfectant solution may be used on the mouthpiece at this time. Place on paper towel for one minute.
Wipe dry with paper towel.

Other Instruments

Plastic recorders can be washed with warm, soapy water and should be swabbed after each use with a plastic cleaning rod and soft thin cloth. Disinfectant solution and alcohol wipes may also be used.
String, percussion, and keyboard instruments present fewer hygienic issues that can be solved simply by the player washing their hands before and after use.

Choosing a Disinfectant for Musical Instruments

Sterisol Germicide Solution can be safely used on plastics, hard rubbers, and metals.
Mi-T-Mist Mouthpiece Cleanser can be used on most materials. It is NOT recommended for use on hard rubber mouthpieces.
Isopropyl alcohol wipes are safe for most materials. They are NOT recommended for use on hard rubber mouthpieces.
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 typically 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.

Resources

UNLV School of Music: https://www.unlv.edu/music/instrument-hygiene
Oklahoma State Department of Health: https://www.ok.gov/health2/documents/Infection%20Control_Keeping%20Your%20Musical%20Instruments%20Clean%20and%20Safe.2014.pdf
National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians: https://napbirt.org/page/InstrumentCleanliness

Volkwein's Music COVID-19 Rental Instrument Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures

Taking COVID-19 public health concerns into consideration, we have instituted the following procedures in the handling of all of our rental instruments. We believe that transparency is key in giving our students, parents, and teachers peace of mind so that students may continue to participate safely in their musical endeavors, classes, and organizations.

WOODWIND CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PROCEDURES

(FLUTES, PICCOLOS, CLARINETS, OBOES, SAXOPHONES)

All incoming rental instruments are quarantined for a minimum of 5 days before being
handled, cleaned, or repaired. Instruments are completely disassembled and all components are individually repaired, cleaned and disinfected. The following is the step-by-step procedure that is completed by our technicians. Any active ingredients and cleaning agents used throughout this process are listed for reference below. All woodwind instruments are completely disassembled. (Keys and pads are removed from the body.)
All segments of the instrument body, head joints (flutes/piccolos), and mouthpieces (clarinets and saxophones) are scrubbed by hand with the use of brushes, antibacterial soap, and water.
Body segments, head joints, and mouthpieces are then soaked in a chemical cleaning solution to clean areas that cannot be reached by hand.
Soap, detergent, and mechanically operated brushes are used for a more detailed cleaning of the instrument interior.
Body segments and head joints are dried and moved on to cosmetic repairs and polishing. Broken or dysfunctional mouthpieces are discarded and replaced.
Keys are buffed by a machine and further polished by hand.
Pads and corks are individually cleaned and disinfected or replaced.
The instrument and keys are reassembled and a technician regulates, adjusts, and tests the instrument.
The instrument is wiped down with a final cleaning agent and then placed into our UV sanitizing station for a final disinfection.
Cases are cleaned by hand and with the use compressed air. Interiors are disinfected with a cleaning agent suitable for fabric and dried. Cases are then placed in a UV sanitizing station for a final disinfection.
Finally, the sanitized head joints and mouthpieces are sealed in an air-tight bag and placed into the case along with rest of the instrument.

List of active cleaning and disinfecting agents used:

Sulfamic Acid
Naphtha
Isopropyl Alcohol
Hydrogen Peroxide
Lysol disinfectant spray
Hydrogen Peroxide
Dawn antibacterial dish soap
UV germicidal light

Volkwein's Music COVID-19 Rental Instrument Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures

Taking COVID-19 public health concerns into consideration, we have instituted the following procedures in the handling of all of our rental instruments. We believe that transparency is key in giving our students, parents, and teachers peace of mind so that students may continue to participate safely in their musical endeavors, classes, and organizations.

BRASS CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PROCEDURES

(TRUMPET, FRENCH HORN, TROMBONE, BARITONE)

All incoming rental instruments are quarantined for a minimum of 5 days before being
handled, cleaned, or repaired. Instruments are completely disassembled all components are individually repaired, cleaned and disinfected. The following is a step-by-step procedure that is completed by our technicians. A list of cleaning agents and/or their active ingredients can be found below.

All brass instruments are completely disassembled. (Valves, slides, and water keys are removed from the body and further disassembled)
Old felts and water key corks are discarded.
The instrument body, valves, slides, water keys, and mouthpiece are de-greased before being scrubbed by hand with the use of brushes, antibacterial soap and water.
The body, valves, slides, water keys, and mouthpiece are then soaked in a chemical cleaning solution to clean areas that cannot be reached by hand.
Soap, detergent, and mechanically operated brushes are used for a more detailed cleaning of the instrument interior.
The body, valves, slides, water keys, and mouthpiece are dried and moved on to cosmetic repairs and polishing. Broken or dysfunctional mouthpieces are discarded and replaced.
New water key corks and felts are fitted.
Valve or slide alignment is checked and adjusted as needed.
The instrument is reassembled and tested by a technician.
Final adjustments are made and the instrument is wiped down with a final cleaning agent and then placed into a UV sanitizing station for a final disinfection.
Cases are cleaned by hand and with the use of compressed air. Interiors are disinfected with a cleaning agent suitable for fabric and dried. Cases are then placed in the UV sanitizing station for a final disinfection.
Finally, the sanitized mouthpieces are sealed in an air-tight bag and placed into the case along with the rest of the instrument.

List of active cleaning and disinfecting agents used:
• Sulfamic Acid
Naphtha
Isopropyl Alcohol
Hydrogen Peroxide
Lysol disinfectant spray
Hydrogen Peroxide
Dawn antibacterial dish soap
UV germicidal light

Volkwein's Music COVID-19 Rental Instrument Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures

Taking COVID-19 public health concerns into consideration, we have instituted the following procedures in the handling of all of our rental instruments. We believe that transparency is key in giving our students, parents, and teachers peace of mind so that students may continue to participate safely in their musical endeavors, classes, and organizations.

STRING INSTRUMENT CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PROCEDURES

(VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, BASS)

Fingerboards, chin rests, and bow surfaces are disinfected using isopropyl alcohol.
Fingerboards are then re-oiled.
Strings are cleaned and changed as needed.
Bow hair is replaced as needed.
Cosmetic repairs are completed.
The instrument is tuned.
All surfaces are wiped and polished.
The instrument is then placed into a UV sanitizing station for a final disinfection.
Cases and bags are cleaned by hand and with the use of compressed air. Interiors are disinfected with a cleaning agent suitable for fabric and dried. Cases are then placed in the UV sanitizing station for a final disinfection.

List of active cleaning and disinfecting agents used:

Isopropyl alcohol
UV germicidal lamp

Volkwein's Music COVID-19 Rental Instrument Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures

Taking COVID-19 public health concerns into consideration, we have instituted the following procedures in the handling of all of our rental instruments. We believe that transparency is key in giving our students, parents, and teachers peace of mind so that students may continue to participate safely in their musical endeavors, classes, and organizations.

PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PROCEDURES

(DRUM KIT, PERCUSSION KIT, PERCUSSION COMBO KIT)

All surfaces are cleaned and disinfected with isopropyl alcohol.
Sticks and mallets are disinfected with isopropyl alcohol. Broken sticks and mallets are discarded and replaced.
Cases and bags are cleaned by hand and with the use of compressed air. Interiors are disinfected with a cleaning agent suitable for fabric and dried. Cases are then placed in the UV sanitizing station for a final disinfection.

List of active cleaning and disinfecting agents used:

Isopropyl alcohol
UV germicidal lamp

Clarinet Care Kit

Trumpet Care Kit

Saxophone Care Kit

Flute Care Kit

Oboe Care Kit

Violin and Viola Care Kit

Cello Care Kit

Trombone Care Kit

French Horn Care