sonvolt13
91 posts
Apr 23, 2011
8:02 AM
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The turboharp site adevertises a small ozone cleaner that claims to kill bacteria and other nasties in your harps without getting them wet. Does anyone know if this cleaner is effective and is ozone in this form safe?
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nacoran
4080 posts
Apr 23, 2011
11:23 AM
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I'm starting to get more concerned about the gunk in the harps. I've been doing some reading on woodwinds and brass instruments and fungal infections. I haven't checked out the ozone cleaner. It would be interesting to see how they are marketing it. Don't they have some doctors working with them over there?
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Nate
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Miles Dewar
871 posts
Apr 23, 2011
3:02 PM
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Wow. It is Ozone. :)
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It says in the lower atmosphere it can cause respiratory damage. An increase the chance of death from respiratory related illness.
...... I wouldn't be messing around with that..... How long do harmonicas last you guys? Mine don't have any chance of buildup that would require disinfectants. They are gone by then.
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MrVerylongusername
1680 posts
Apr 23, 2011
3:51 PM
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The only time I worry about sterilising my harps is if I know someone else has played them.
How did all those 'scary' bacteria get there? from you! If you are already harbouring those bacteria, then it is a question of your body's ability to maintain a balance whereby they do not cause ill effects.
In the grand scheme of things, crud on a harp is going to make little difference compared to your general health and the health of your immune system.
Same with viruses. Once you've got 'em, you've got 'em for life. What changes is your immune systems ability to suppress them.
Keep your cover plates clean (because the hard crud that forms on then can be uncomfortable on your lips); wash your hands when you sneeze and use the toilet (to reduce the risk of spreading the bugs to others). Otherwise stop worrying about bacteria. (and yes I understand there are folk on here with OCD, but try!)
Our society's obsession with sterilising everything is actually producing a generation with more respiratory and allergy problems than their predecessors - it really isn't helping!
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BigBlindRay
109 posts
Apr 24, 2011
1:42 AM
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Hi MBHers
I normally use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean my harps.
I disassemble all parts - Pop them in an Ultrasonic cleaner with a bit of dishwashing detergent and let it run for a few minutes.
Once its been put through, thoroughly rinse with water, shake off any excess and allow to air dry. Once its a bit dry I spray all the parts with a Germicide like Sterisol. Let it sit for a couple of minutes, rinse and dry then put it all back together and Viola! Squeaky clean harp!
Cleaning unsealed combs might require some light exposure to water as they will be prone to swelling but it certainly doesnt hurt to give your instruments a thorough cleaning once a month or more often if you play a lot.
I think keeping an instrument clean is less about the health benefit and more about the benefit of keeping your tools in top working order. It's time consuming and laborious but I think a clean set of harps is nice :D
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Last Edited by on Apr 24, 2011 7:55 PM
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MrVerylongusername
1682 posts
Apr 24, 2011
5:42 AM
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Nothing wrong with clean. :-)
I still clean my harps every now and again.
I was just commenting on the developed world's obsession with sterility. The other day I saw an ad for a new electronic liquid soap pump that 'stops harmful bacteria getting on your hands'. Think about it... Crazy!
A lint free cloth, and the occasional denture tablet keep my harps clean. A quick dunk in some (cheap as chips) isopropyl alcohol for anything I buy off ebay.
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MP
1631 posts
Apr 24, 2011
11:12 AM
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Miles,
how long do harmonicas last? actually, you can keep a harp up and running indefinately. i have one from the 30s and one from the 20s that are 'go to' harps.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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nacoran
4085 posts
Apr 24, 2011
1:01 PM
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I usually just use a toothpick and a rag to wipe down the outside, but my friend has a harp that smells mildewy to him. I've got one or two wood combed harps I'm a little worried about myself.
MrVLUN, yeah. I always have to walk the line. I've got pretty bad OCD, but mostly it's old OCD stuff. Whenever I see my OCD pushing into a new direction I do exposure and am usually able to keep it from spreading, but those germless soap dispensers ads make it hard to keep things in perspective! I did read though that woodwinds and brass instruments can sometimes get mold or fungus growing in them. I imagine harps probably dry out fairly quickly though, all things considered. They've got a much more open air flow than a clarinet.
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Nate
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mr_so&so
425 posts
Apr 25, 2011
8:29 AM
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Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent. Aside from not wanting to breathe in any ozone (which damages lung tissue), I be concerned about oxidizing the metal components in the harp.
I'd go for a ultrasonic cleaner, if I were that concerned about it, which I'm not. I just run my non-wood combed harps under some warm water and use a toothpick to remove any visible gunk in the holes.
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Last Edited by on Apr 25, 2011 11:46 AM
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Miles Dewar
876 posts
Apr 25, 2011
8:55 PM
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Holy crap MP! I didn't know you were that old! Must have saved you money using two harps through the 40's, 50's,60s',70's,80s',90's till now!
If you guys want Ozone, get it free from your microwave.
Stand a match up in some sticky-tac on the plate in your microwave, use a couple bowls on either end to suspend another Thick Glass bowl over the match.
Light the match while it is under the bowl and quickly shut the door and start the microwave. Only run it for under 7 seconds. And ALWAYS have at least a small amount of water inside whenever you turn a microwave on......... You will see what happens. However, a toxic gas O3 (Ozone) is produced in small amounts. The sight and sound of the extreme high energy reaction is amazing.
Last Edited by on Apr 25, 2011 8:58 PM
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