Can bacteria affect the mouthpiece of a trumpet? The answer will surely be yes. What can you do then?
Okay, the simple solution is cleaning the mouthpiece regularly and appropriately.
So, this is high time knew about the cleaning procedure of a trumpet mouthpiece.
Now, you are exactly in the right place while I am going to tell the whole process.
Cleaning Process Of Trumpet Mouthpiece
A step by step instruction can make you realize what to do. Here I am providing you.
#Step 1:
First, you need to disassemble the mouthpiece from the trumpet. You better clean every day because the moisture inside the mouthpiece can damage the instrument.
When you are blowing air through the mouthpiece, it contains saliva.
For this moist, bacterial and fungal growth is very much possible.
Wipe the mouthpiece with a dry towel after every use. It can resist the congealing of germs.
Special brushes can also be found in the music stores for cleaning.
#Step 2:
Wiping will only remove the moisture. But for killing all the germs, you need to go through a thorough cleaning.
A substance called limescale affects the sound of the mouthpiece.
It makes difficult moving of mouthpiece. You can use vinegar or hydrogen peroxide for the removal.
When you are using vinegar, with a 4-6% acidity, soak two kinds of cotton and divide this into two parts.
Rest one on the window of the mouthpiece then after ten minutes remove it.
Rub limescale with the another piece of cotton. When you are using hydrogen peroxide, sink the mouthpiece for two hours.
During this time, the substance will dissolve.
#Step 3:
Then wash the mouthpiece with soap and lukewarm water. Hot water and detergent can cause the damage of the instrument.
Gentle detergent and warm water are enough for removing the vinegar you used in the previous step. It also eliminates all the bacteria and food particles.
There can be some limescale. Use a soft brush for removing this substance.
Special mouthpiece bottle brush is found; you can use this also. By this process, you can remove little dirt.
#Step 4:
After using soap, use germicide. Soak the mouthpiece in the germicide as a little bit of limescale can be present in the mouthpiece.
Sterisol is the best for washing instrument as this does not affect or cause any harm to the instrument.
Otherwise, household mouthwash is also effective for this purpose. Bath the mouthpiece in mouthwash for few minutes and then remove it.
#Step 5:
Choose a clean and open space for drying the mouthpiece. The dry place is necessary because there can't affect any bacteria.
If it is wet, then the work you have done for washing mouthpiece will be wasted.
After drying it, keep this in a suitable place which is clean enough.
#Step 6:
If there is the presence of saliva in the neck of trumpet, it will be no use of proper cleaning of the mouthpiece.
You also need to wash trumpet for keeping away germs from the mouthpiece.
Retain the instrument in a light detergent and rinse with warm water.
Then use Sterisol as before. Dry the trumpet in the air.
Tips & Tricks
Warnings!
Final Words
Sometimes you may be confused how you can clean your favorite instrument and its parts. From this article, you come to know the process in details.
So you need not buy another mouthpiece thinking that the previous one is not usable now.
You can easily wash this and save your money.
Keep your instrument damage free and enjoy playing when germs can’t affect the mouthpiece!
Happy Music!