The current situation with the spread of COVID 19 has brought to the forefront of conversation, personal hygiene and different methods which can minimize the spread of diseases. Washing hands, avoiding social contact, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces are all ways to help prevent the spread of this disease.
Those of us who work with musical instruments are keenly aware of the possibility of spreading germs through the sharing of musical instruments and lack of proper steps to clean mouthpieces and instruments. In many school situations, instruments are used by multiple students. Every day in our processing of repairs, our repair shop staff put instruments and mouthpieces through cleaning and sanitizing processes.
Sterilization vs. Disinfection
Total instrument sterility is nearly impossible, once a sterile object has been handled or exposed to air, it is no longer sterile. However, it can 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 viruses and bacteria are quite hardy. Because of this 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, musical instruments can be disinfected. It is vital that musical instruments are professionally maintained and sanitized on a yearly basis and if the player gets ill.
Instrument Hygiene
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.
What should YOU do? Our suggested process can be found in our Take Care! Take Pride!™ video guide, a simplified process is detailed below.
Reeds really cannot be adequately cleaned or sanitized, so should be discarded if played while sick, worn out, or chipped. The exception would be plastic or synthetic reeds which can be cleaned with the same process as the mouthpiece. (Above) As far as the instrument itself is concerned, Brass instruments can be flushed and cleaned in a cold bath. Tubing can be cleaned out with “snake” brushes. Brushes for these purposes can be purchased in our Take Pride! Take Care!™ care kits or as individual items. Proper reassembly and lubrication is important after the instrument is flushed and allowed to dry. Woodwind instrument bodies require professional disassembly and cleaning to do a thorough cleaning or sanitizing. That process is recommended annually, or when a student has been sick, or as needed if significant residue builds up on the inside and outside of the instrument. What will WE at MusiCare Musical Instrument Service Center do? Our repair and sanitization processes includes:
Instruments that have the professional chem cleaning process done annually have longer lasting playing qualities and better hygiene for the player.
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