[Harp-L] Curious about how the group feel about buying used harps and cleanliness

[Tom Martin]

so, what Ultrasonic cleaning equipment do you use?

On Tue, Jan 3, 2017 at 8:14 PM, Mike Wilbur <mike at xxxxx> wrote:

> Well that should do it !!.....wow Dennis.
>
> My method ....
>
> Boric Acid ( used for wound washing ) and or Hydrogen Peroxide ( used in
> tooth paste )
> Will kill germs and boil out gunk, without harming metals.
> You can : soak a non-wood Harp in either one for 5-10 mins then rinse
> under warm water tap.
> Shake out and let dry.
>
> Mike Wilbur
>
> > On Jan 3, 2017, at 6:55 PM, Dennis Fischette <dmfischette at xxxxx>
> wrote:
> >
> > I soak all non wood diatonic harps in hot soapy water for 30 minutes.
> Then disassemble and wash all parts with kaboom with oxyclean. Rinse and
> clean parts by spraying with 91% alcohol. Then spray all parts with
> distilled water, pat dry and let air dry for about 2 hours. Then
> reassemble!! Those little germs don't have a chance !!!
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >> On Jan 3, 2017, at 5:52 PM, Larry Youmans via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> Dee, I have purchased a few used ones and I routinely disassemble,
> clean thoroughly, modify a little, adjust reeds, sterilize with alcohol,
> rinse and reassemble then tune.  Ultrasonic cleaning is used occasionally,
> realizing it will not sterilize.  Additionally germs won't survive more
> than eight hours but viruses can.  Buy, thoroughly clean, tune, enjoy.
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPad
> >>
> >>> On Jan 3, 2017, at 5:29 PM, <flyingv8 at xxxxx> <
> flyingv8 at xxxxx> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> I have seen harmonicas listed on E-Bay that claim they have been
> sterilized. I asked one seller about this and his response was as follows.
> >>>
> >>> "The harmonica is spray-saturated (outside and inside) with 91%
> isopropyl alcohol.
> >>> This is an effective dis-infective and by its chemical properties then
> totally evaporates.
> >>> It must be 91%, anything lower does not dry as well.
> >>> The harmonica is then thoroughly rinsed in clear running water and
> allowed to then fully air dry.
> >>> I do my personal harmonicas this way as well. I was taught this method
> by an instrument builder."
> >>>
> >>> I have also seen listings for Marine band harps that are nailed
> together and the seller states that it sounds great. Personally I would
> never put a harp to my mouth that came in an open package without cleaning
> it thoroughly. By that I mean taking it apart and scrubbing it and putting
> it in my ultrasonic for 15 minutes or so. I take this even further with
> valved harps simply because of the impossibility of cleaning under the
> valves. How do you folks feel about this? I am not a germophobe but it just
> makes sense to me to be very conscientious about drawing air into my lungs
> through a used harmonica.
> >>> Dee Makowski
> >>> Dee's Finley Tuned Instruments LLC
> >>> www.deesfti.com
>
>