Greyowlphotoart
559 posts
Jun 03, 2011
7:47 AM
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I have had a chest cold recently that seems to have lasted forever, actually 1 month. I haven't been able to play much harp which has been extremely frustrating. I have restricted my minimal playing to 2 harps.
My question is how vigourous should I be with disinfecting them. Do I have to dismantle them completely and treat or what?
I bought a 400ml can of isopropyl alcohol IPA 170 from Maplins which contained this blurb
Universal electronic cleaning solvent
Evaporates after use
For use on tape heads, disc drives, PCBs and other instruments and delicate components
Safe on plastics
Is this safe to use and should the harp be rinsed thoroughly afterwards?
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Stevelegh
228 posts
Jun 03, 2011
8:02 AM
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Wow! Alcohol to clean harps? I must have the cleanest harps in the world!
I don't know about using that on any unsealed area of a wood comb, but it seems OK for plastic. Lee Oskar suggests it on his site.
http://www.leeoskar.com/cleaning.html
Now I'm off to Maplin. Spray shots between sets has got to be better than standing at the bar waiting to be served. Heh.....
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tmf714
659 posts
Jun 03, 2011
8:21 AM
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The technical data sheet for Servisol IPA 170 states it "may affect certain plastics". I would stick with getting the highest percentage IPA you can find,and after disassembling the instrument,apply the IPA from a small spray bottle,wipe dry,and reassemble.
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arzajac
525 posts
Jun 03, 2011
8:36 AM
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I suggest soap and water just like your dishes and cutlery. There is no need to use anything stronger unless you want to use the thing for surgery.
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groyster1
1081 posts
Jun 03, 2011
8:50 AM
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@arzajac
I could not agree more-why sterilize your harps?as soon as you touch them they are no longer sterile-I have always used vinegar as a disinfectant but it may be harmful to harps
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harmonicanick
1205 posts
Jun 03, 2011
11:29 AM
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While you are in Maplins buy a sonic cleaner, about £30, and put your harps in for a cycle or 2.
If you use sea clean (also at Maplins) they come out really fresh and just let dry on kitchen towel
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Greyowlphotoart
561 posts
Jun 03, 2011
12:00 PM
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Thanks to all for your viewpoints.
@ harmonicamick that's very interesting, thanks.
I'm not particularly concerned about re-infecting myself it's just the issue of others picking up an infection. For instance, I was wondering what customisers do when they receive a used harp to work on, ie do they bother to clean the harps before working on them and if so how and do they clean them before despatch.
If this comes across as an over-sensitivity to bugs that's not the case I'm just curious.
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harmonicanick
1206 posts
Jun 03, 2011
2:49 PM
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eeeeeeh whats that bug man~?
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Aussiesucker
859 posts
Jun 03, 2011
3:07 PM
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Grey Owl> I use Webcol Alco Wipes after each play to wipe the mouthpiece. These wipes are available in packs of 200 from pharmacies & don't cost much. The same wipes are used by doctors on your skin prior to giving a needle.
Depending on amount of use I periodically fully dismantle my harps & give a thorough clean. My regime is not for wooden harps.
1) soak reed plates for ca 10 -15mins in steradent denture tablet & warm water. Steradent offer a product that is ok for metals.
2) wash the cover plates and comb in dishwashing liquid. I use an old toothbrush on the comb.
3) wash/ rinse all bits in fresh water and pat dry then I hang bits , using bent paper clips, on a line in a breezeway. Bits dry in 1/2 hour.
4) reassemble.
Make sure to use a permanent marker on the plates to ID them as the denture cleanser does get them nice & shiny.
I believe that not only are they cleaned properly they also sound brighter as lots of dried on miniscule gunk is dissolved off the reeds
PS. I still get colds.
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Greyowlphotoart
563 posts
Jun 04, 2011
1:22 AM
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@harmonicanick entomology is not my strong suit but I reckon it might be one of the Beatles ;°)
This is what happens when you buy a product that says it kills 99.9% of bugs.
Thanks for that Aussie.
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Last Edited by on Jun 04, 2011 1:23 AM
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Miles Dewar
929 posts
Jun 04, 2011
11:38 AM
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You guys have "Bugs" in your harps! .....They never fly away?
I am planning on studying Arthropodology after all of my Biological Sciences stuff. Entomology is my Thing. I'm obsessed.
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If you have a cold, you generally don't need to worry about reinfecting yourself. If other people play your harps you will want to disinfect. Mucus and saliva are usually heavily involved with playing harp, so cleaning with dish soap and water is good.....unless you have a wooden comb... ;)
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GEEZER1
108 posts
Jun 04, 2011
12:04 PM
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Grayowl I stole the bug, hope it wasn't a crotch cricket!!!
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