[Harp-L] Can you use an ultrasonic cleaner on a sealed pearwood (Hohner) comb?

[OWEN EVANS]

You are partially correct Mr. Feldman. Please have a read about this as there are more bugs in spit than just flu virus.

https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/how-long-do-bacteria-and-viruses-live-outside-the-body.aspx?CategoryID=200&SubCategoryID=2001 <https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/how-long-do-bacteria-and-viruses-live-outside-the-body.aspx?CategoryID=200&SubCategoryID=2001>


I can tell Mr. Marsolais that I have placed lots of sealed combs in an ultrasonic cleaner using 3% w/v Hydrogen Peroxide for 15-20 minutes. It works well. I currently use Crossovers & they are sealed bamboo & clean up fine. I’d be concerned about old pearwood combs as they were not sealed & may absorb liquid thus warping!
If you can get higher concentration H2O2 it will work faster. Attached is a paper on use of H2O2 for this purpose.

Cheers,
Owen



> On Apr 30, 2018, at 11:30 AM, Jordan Feldman via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx> wrote:
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> Not sure about Ultrasonic cleaners, but flu viruses, etc don’t survive very long outside of the body.  24 hours max on a hard surface.
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>> On Apr 30, 2018, at 10:22 AM, Bob Marsolais <bob at xxxxx> wrote:
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>>       I’ve read you can rinse a Hohner sealed pearwood comb in water and then shake it out, but what about 3 minutes in an ultrasonic cleaner with warm soapy water?  I like to do that to keep my harps sanitary, especially after a long flu season!  I’ve stuck with solid plastic or metal combs until now, but I’d like to try out an unmodified Marine Band.
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Owen P. Evans
25 Hexham Road
Ottawa, Ontario. K2H5L3
613-829-9139

owenpevans at xxxxx





The harmonica is the most voice-like instrument. 
You can make it wail,  feel happy or cry. 
It’s like singing the blues without words!

Charlie Musselwhite