How frequently you go through the other steps listed above is more open to interpretation and will depend on how often you play. Just Here are more ways to reduce household dust, Steam clean or shampoo carpets and furniture, Sanitize the kitchen sponge in the microwave, Open windows to air house (5 minutes is enough), Change bath towels (theyre a breeding ground for bacteria), Vacuum high-traffic areas if you have pets or kids, Clean toothbrushes in a cup of white vinegar and hot water, Change furnace filters (if you have allergies), Change furnace filters (if you dont have allergies). Saxophone lung is a rare type of hypersensitivity pneumonia, where patients develop allergic pulmonary disease when theyre exposed to fungi that invade instruments and are never removed. Soak your mouthpiece in soap and room temperature or cold water for about 20 minutes. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Snip threads snarled in the brush with scissors or a seam ripper. monthly care and maintenance tips and tricks for your saxophone. For example, devote Monday to cleaning kitchen messes, bring out the vacuum on Tuesday, make Wednesday the day for changing sheets, and so on. In any case, the solution is the same. Swab out your saxophone, neck and mouthpiece at least once every time after you play. This is excellent 10980 Views 22 Replies 23 Participants Last post by Dog Pants, Jun 6, 2007. The body needs to be cleaned with a microfiber cloth. Cleaning tarnish is something that you only really need to do when you can see it on your instrument. The life span of a germ varies greatly depending on the bacteria and the surface. Wiping counters and faucets every day keeps your home tidy and deters pests, but it isnt a substitute for more intensive weekly cleaning. How Often Should You Clean Your Saxophone, Clarinet Mouthpiece First of all I want to talk to you about how often you should clean your mouthpiece. Do them all at once, or spread them through the season by doing a couple each weekend. Finally, disinfect the reed by soaking it in alcohol or mouthwash. Deep clean carpets: If your home has a lot of wall-to-wall carpeting, rent or invest in a special cleaner like the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner to remove tracked-in dirt and stains. One to two weeks. Downfalls to Using A Mute. Bring the weighted end through the body and come out the narrow end. Saxophone Care & Maintenance Guide - Yamaha Music London If youre part of a marching band or otherwise play your instrument outdoors and have a backup saxophone, consider playing this one while outdoors. How to Clean a Saxophone: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Never try to apply key oil to your saxophone or any woodwind. Basically, swabbing is the sort of thing that you do after every time that you play your instrument, no matter how briefly you were playing it for. Approved. If any part of your instrument is stuck or difficult to take apart, dont use pliers or other household tools. 7 days practice guide here: https://tinyurl.com/yywppo5lFREE!!! Answer (1 of 7): The self-clean on an oven will depend on what function you have There are two main cleaning functions available, catalytic and pyrolytic. Woodwind instruments are very good at giving your lungs a serious respiratory workout. Gently pull the swab through the body several times. Tackle one room or job each day so you're not doing everything all at once. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Tips for Cleaning Every Day These essential daily tasks cut down on future scrubbing and scouring not to mention harmful germs and bacteria. Our experts revealed the truth about how often you need to clean everything. Wash the mouthpiece with lukewarm soapy water once per month, making sure to replace the mouthpiece patch. saxophone should be wiped off with a clean cloth to remove fingerprints. Ideally, this should be immediately after you practice. Before you put your saxophone back in its References Clean Your Shower. How Often Should You Clean Your Saxophone? Soaking in antiseptic mouthwash or detergent is helpful for particularly dirty mouthpieces. How often do you really clean it and have you ever used a chlorine based solution or isopropyl alcohol as well? Id recommend reading through all the steps first so youre familiar with whats expected before starting the process. Clean vacuum: Change your bag when it's three-quarters full to keep suction strong and replace the filter if it's very dirty or torn. Clean a washing machine: Use the special washer cleaner cycle on the newer models, or add a specialty cleaner like Affresh and run a normal cycle with hot water. Leave these things to a professional. It is not unusual to see a slight green color on the pad after a few passes. Wash shower curtain liner: Launder plastic or vinyl curtains in the machine on the highest water level with a couple bath towels for extra agitation. moisture is probably the most important thing you can do when caring for and Now that you've got the schedule, read up on our time-saving tips and all-time favorite products that will make these jobs as painless as possible. A good rule of thumb for applying key oil is the old cliche: the squeaky wheel always gets the grease. If your keys arent clunky, stuck, or impacting your playing in any way, then it doesnt need oil. If you do decide to polish your saxophone, wipe it down first with a cloth thats lightly dampened with rubbing alcohol. Do not use abrasive cleaning products and soft cloths. Even if they look clean, sinks can get really gross Tetro says the bathroom sink accumulates fecal matter (from washing your hands after you use the bathroom). Along ( I like the comment referring to ME deteriorating).- I certainly am. Occasionally, your keys will need oiling. ", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gr2mFi7I3k, http://www.shinemusic.com.au/musicresources/maintain-saxophone.aspx, https://tamingthesaxophone.com/saxophone-maintenance-cleaning, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk9zTjwGhmM, https://tamingthesaxophone.com/saxophone-mouthpiece-cleaning, https://www.nemc.com/instrument-care-instructions/saxophone-care, http://www.saxophone-guy.com/saxophone-care-and-maintenance.html, http://mellowood.ca/music/essays/saxclean.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q37KVFIliNE. This will remove any oil or dirt thats accumulated on the outside of the instrument. form, especially on the reed. SAFE IN THE CASE: Dry your key pads even while your instrument is in its case. Put a little oil between the key post and the key axle, and then remove any excess oil. Use a polish cloth on your saxophone about once per week or so. The process of doing this is the exact same; put the paper underneath the key, gently press the key down, and slowly pull the paper from underneath it. There is weekly care for you. Bring the weighted end through the body and come out the narrow end. Thanks for stopping by and if you have any questions get in touch! Wash pillows: Put down and fiberfill pillows in the washer and launder two at a time in warm water on a gentle cycle. Cleaning Your Musical Instrument: A Welcome Guide The other thing to mention is that this guide is specifically for the alto or tenor sax but the same principles apply to other types of saxophones too. Clean it from time to time. An end plug if your saxophone didnt arrive with one is also probably a good idea: it will help stop the octave key from getting bent out of shape while its in the case. Make time to do the tasks below at least once a month, although theres no reason you cant do them more often. These parts of the instrument are much easier to swab than the body, as you wont need to rotate a heavy object. But when it comes to cleaning your home, there are some standards to consider, if only for your healths sake. How long does it take for a self cleaning oven to clean itself? Unless your saxophone is in especially poor condition, you won't need to clean or polish the outside of your saxophone on a consistent basis. Gently flip the saxophone upside down, so the bell is pointing at the floor, and give it a small jiggle so that that weight goes round the curved part of the saxophones body. Or if you stumble upon dust, rust, or dirt in spots you totally forget about too often for comfort. The bottom line is that you shouldnt use abrasive cleaning products because they can damage the lacquer. 2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You can run water through the neck as well just be sure that no water comes in contact with the cork, or it may swell and deform. Because washing sponges with soap and water doesnt really work, Tetro recommends dropping them into boiling water for 2 minutes, putting them in the microwave for 2 minutes while damp every couple of days, and replacing them when they deteriorate. Probably more often than you think. Warm water and soap can be used to clean the mouth. We also sometimes hear horror stories of people becoming unwell through playing poorly-maintained wind instruments. Comments are moderated and may take 72 hours to appear. Saxophone Care and Maintenance Guide | Sweetwater Make sure that you are well stocked on mouthpiece patches, and dont forget to put one on your mouthpiece after you finish cleaning it. Once a week at least. Unless your saxophone is in especially poor condition, you wont need to clean or polish the outside of your saxophone on a consistent basis. You should wash your mouthpiece about once per month with lukewarm water, soap, and a soft-bristle mouthpiece brush. It will also be helpful to have some powder paper, which prevents pads from sticking in the future. How to clean a saxophone Your kitchen towels collect bacteria every time you handle food and wash your hands. Tetro recommends washing those weekly, unless you handled raw meat. But once a quarter (every three months or so), IE 11 is not supported. TIP: Keep a cosmetic (makeup) brush in your case! How often do you honestly "clean" your sax after use? down are important, here are a few other tips that are just as important! First of all, the timings: A catalyt. How To Clean A Saxophone - Simple Cleaning Techniques - Musical Instruments Instead, keep it open for a little while to let it air dry. It can be cleaned off by wiping the tarnished areas with a tarnish cloth. Some things require daily cleaning because any neglect can lead to household pests or health issues. Put the weighted end into the bell of the saxophone and turn the sax upside down. This article has been viewed 380,126 times. Your email address will not be published. Stick to soap and water. Ive saved almost all of them! Cheaper ones can also shed their fibres, leaving bits of fluff in the horn, which of course is not desirable. These are fine to use similarly if you have them, but not necessary for regular saxophone maintenance. Thank you very much for what you do, most appreciated! Some tasks dont need to be done daily, but your home will benefit if you do them more often than once a week. You would need to check which one of these your oven supports. Take your microfiber cloth and wipe off the moisture on the exterior of the mouthpiece. If youre here looking to know what causes the spitty sound and, Read More Why Does My Saxophone Sound Spitty?Continue, You are probably here because youre looking for options to polish your saxophone, and youre considering using Brasso. Saxophones are delicate instruments, and a single, seemingly insignificant thing going wrong can have a major impact on our ability to play them. instructions, youll be great. When you clean on a schedule, rather than waiting until something looks dirty or is falling apart, its easier to do. Saxophones need to be cleaned at least once a week. Sanitizing reduces germs to levels public health codes or regulations consider safe. There are a lot of risks involved in playing instruments outdoors, and if you have the luxury of a backup instrument it should always be used these situations. If you arent familiar with mouthpiece patches, there are basically two kinds that you can get. The Ultimate Cleaning Schedule for Your Day, Week, Month, and Year, How to Clean A Microwave With Natural Ingredients, Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner. Cold water is no better, however, which is why I recommend water that is lukewarm. How often should you clean? Not only do repair technicians have years of experience, but they have access to a variety of professional tools. That will greatly prolong the lifespan of the saxophone key pads and corks on the saxophone. Again, these don't have happen all on the same day, so split up your tasks and delegate jobs to your partner (and kids!). Although there are lacquer polish cloths on the market that are OK to use from time to time, if you can overuse them or arent careful the wax on these cloths can lead to unsightly build-up. Saxophone stands can be really useful, but they can also easily be knocked over, so take care if using one. To protect against complications from temperature and humidity: Blow air through the saxophone prior to playing in order to warm it Use the palm of your hand to warm the saxophone's body Warm it gently and indirectly with a hand warmer or similar heat source, avoiding direct contact Instead, keep a clean. While using your other hand to securely hold the saxophones bell, keep gently pulling the weight and the cloth will follow, bringing out lots of moisture with it. The seasons change every 3 months, so thats an easy way to keep track of chores that dont require more frequent attention. Never try to fix a dent yourself unless youre properly trained. If you have time, you might like to go round the saxophone, using a small microfiber pad drying cloth to remove any moisture from the pads (the brown discs that meet the tone holes when the keys are pressed). It isnt harmful to the instrument, but even so it may be best to remove it. I know that its personally caused me so much frustration over my years of playing but I think that at this point Ive finally beaten it. 4 Posted by u/axkoam 10 days ago What is your daily/post-playing cleaning routine? Your shower curtains should be disinfected weekly to avoid mildew, which can cause skin, eye and throat irritation in some people. Just swab it on the days you practice, immediately after practicing. Again, be especially gentle on the rods and the tops of the keys when using a tarnish cloth on them. It is recommended that you use your pull-through cloths on the body, neck and mouthpiece of the saxophone after every time you play. These are pretty much all of the cleaning procedures which youll need to use on your saxophone on a regular basis. When you change from a reed to a new one, the sound of your instrument will change as well. Oils from our skin can speed up the tarnishing process, so polishing the saxophone simply wipes away the oils. opposite end. Failure to clean your horn May lead to you having a lung disease called \"Saxophone Lung.\" Each time you play your horn and fail to clean it, you are one step closer to having a deadly disease that may cost you ins several ways.Sax CONVID-19SAX-CORONO VIRUShow to avoid convid-19sax convid-19Saxophone Lung Article: https://cutt.ly/NrZlJrGGet your FREE!!! Make sure you double-check that the mute you buy will work for your saxophone. Deep clean windows: Choose a dry, cloudy day to prevent streaks. Use Singapore dollar instead. How To Clean An Alto Saxophone? (Described for Everyone) Otherwise, just go through the same process. This is critical because inhaling mold and mildew .css-lwn4i5{display:block;font-family:Neutra,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-0.01rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;text-align:center;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-lwn4i5:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}How to Clean A Microwave With Natural Ingredients, 7 Best HEPA Vacuums for Allergy Sufferers, 6 Best Front-Loading Washing Machines 2023, 10 Best Odor Eliminators to Nix Any Smell, How to Get Rid of Mildew on Every Surface, 10 Ways to Make Your Whole House Smell Amazing. Wipe down the tenons thoroughly (the parts where the saxophone connects) and remove any buildup that has formed. Sanitizing is done with weaker bleach solutions or sanitizing sprays. If you need your keys to be oiled, take your saxophone to a professional. Some manufacturers make similar items such as "bell brushes" or "neck savers" for other parts of the saxophone. Cleaning your saxophone is a relatively simple process, provided your saxophone is the standard, half-bell shape. If you press the key down and pull the paper out with too much force, the friction can damage the pad. Thank you, thank you! Weekly Maintenance The mouthpiece should be cleaned once a week using warm soapy water and your mouthpiece cleaning brush. There are nine, Read More How Many Types of Saxophones Are There?Continue, I think every saxophonist at some point deals with the problem of having a spitty sound. years to come. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Ever wonder how often you should clean everything in your home? It opens your key pads to air dry, EASY TO USE: This saxophone pad saver is easy for anyone! This will remove any residue or oil which causes the pad to stick. Place a piece of cleaning paper underneath the sticky pad. But by getting into positive habits with cleaning then and especially by using pull-throughs to remove as much excess moisture as possible we can maximize our playing experience, keep ourselves and the instrument healthy, and minimize expensive trips to the repairer. To stay on the safe side, wipe down your sinks daily. Once a week (in some rooms). Put the ligature and reed down. If this isnt something you are familiar with, well aim to bring you up to speed as quickly as possible. This got me wondering about how extensive the saxophone family is. It literally takes seconds and can set up your day for success, and, hey, it may remind you that your sheets could use a good wash. Want more tips like these? How Often Should You Clean Your Saxophone To Avoid CONVID-19? Also, if you use a case version, you will not be able to see your saxophone keys. Baseboards, ceiling fans, and windows. When and How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home | CDC Doing so will probably damage the saxophone even more, adding to your bill. Just like a car, your saxophone is a big In this case, 90% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. For that reason, its worth having a thorough cleaning routine to ensure that your instrument doesnt become home to dangerous build-ups of mould and bacteria. How Often To Clean Everything A Cleaning Expert's List As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy Policy - Affiliate Disclosure. I am happy I found your site a number of years ago and refer to it frequently. Why does my alto saxophone keep sounding off? As you can see, how often you should clean your saxophone depends on which cleaning process you are using, all of which have their proper time and place. Over time, this can lead to a buildup of dirt and bacteria, which can cause a myriad of problems to the instrument and, in rare cases, to the health of the player. Be especially gentle on the tops of the keys and rods. If you have a lacquered saxophone, use a cotton swab to rub an equal parts water-alcohol solution over the area. Comments may be removed in the future if they are no longer relevant. Yuck! Use this chart to stay on track and keep your home tidy year-round. is straightforward but critical to extending the life of the instrument. If you cant find key oil, valve oil can be used a substitute- just dont use any other kind of oil! We get it. Although there are lacquer polish cloths on the market that are OK to use from time to time, if you can . Proper Care and Maintenance of the Saxophone - The Vault at Music & Arts Next, put a flexible swab through the neck and brush out the insides. Enjoy! Never use potentially corrosive materials. Youll need a silk swab attached to a string with a weight at the end. Yes, you can use water to clean your saxophone. This is an excellent time to set the mouthpiece aside for sanitizing. . How often should you clean the saxophone? maintaining your sax. The ammonia in the Brasso is harmful to the lacquer, Read More Can You Use Brasso on a Saxophone?Continue, Many saxophonists consider whether a saxophone is lacquered to be a major factor in deciding what to purchase. Feel free to call us toll free at (800)222-4700, Mon-Thu 9-9, Fri 9-8, and Sat 9-7 Eastern. You can then use the same pull-through to repeat this process with your mouthpiece. other than the pad paper which is typically used to clean and powder them. Wash your racks in the sink with warm, sudsy water and a heavy-duty scrub sponge. Use this chart to stay on track and keep your home tidy year-round. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.