Is it possible to wash a harmonica: experts give the answer

Do I need to wash my harmonica, how often should I do it and what detergents should I use? A few simple rules for caring for a musical instrument.

Do I need to wash it?

If the musical instrument is functioning normally, there is no need to wash it. Simple monthly cleaning is sufficient.

When exactly should you clean the disassembled accordion:

When someone else played it.
If you bought the instrument secondhand.
When the harmonica starts to go out of tune.
If she lay idle for a long time.
If it accidentally becomes saturated with foreign odors.

Important
It is strictly forbidden to wash a professional chromatic harmonica in the literal sense, that is, under running water! This incapacitates her. Cleaning a diatonic musical instrument allows this method.

Tip from purity-en.htgetrid.com magazine: Professional chromatic harmonicas usually come with care instructions, so read them.

How to properly clean and wash a harmonica

Cleaning depends on the type of harmonica: for a diatonic instrument, simple steps are sufficient; a chromatic instrument should be disassembled and cleaned according to the instructions and very carefully. The detergent is selected according to the type of body: there are plastic, wooden, metal and other, more refined materials.

How to wash a plastic diatonic: just hold it under running water and then shake out the remaining drops with your palm. After washing, blow through all holes at maximum volume.

Metal accordions can be slightly wetted, but after water procedures they require careful drying with a dry cloth to avoid rust. It is better for wooden cases not to come into contact with water. They are simply cleaned with a soft brush (not abrasives).

For more thorough cleaning, you will have to disassemble the case. You will need a screwdriver to remove the covers and tab plates. Place them in the correct order to avoid confusion during assembly.

Now we wash the body: the plastic can be cleaned in soap and water. The tongues are washed with warm water or simply wiped with a dry cloth. They cannot be cleaned with a brush, so as not to damage the structure of the musical instrument.

Alcohol is used as a disinfectant. Hydrogen peroxide is also used. Hard-to-reach places are cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in the product. It is important to ensure that small fibers do not remain on the material.

Advice
Do not use cologne to clean, this will leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth when playing.

Before assembling the accordion, make sure all parts are completely dry. Reassemble everything in reverse order: from the tongues to the bottom and top covers.

Do not over-wash unless there are objective reasons, and then your musical instrument will retain high-quality sound for a long time.