How to Clean a Harmonica

Do you want to clean your harmonica? Harmonica maintenance can be a delicate matter because of how fragile the inside of the instrument is. Follow these tips to successfully clean your harmonica.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Cleaning Your Harmonica Daily

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1
Rinse with lukewarm water. If you have a diatonic harmonica with a plastic comb, simply run some lukewarm water through the harmonica. Placing the mouthpiece against your palm, tap it firmly to remove the water.^{[1]
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- Only run water through the harmonica if your comb is plastic or sealed wood. If the comb is wooden or metal, do not run water through it.
2
Tap the harmonica after each use. Because a harmonica is played with the mouth, saliva and other contaminants get blown into the instrument by the mouth. After each use, tap the harmonica on your hand, leg, or a towel to knock out any loose saliva. This will help keep it clean and help reduce the amount of build-up in the instrument.^{[2]
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- Try to be a dry harmonica player. This means you should try to reduce the amount of saliva that you pass into the harmonica while playing.
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3
Let your harmonica dry after playing. Another way you can help keep your harmonica clean and rust-free is to let it dry after playing. When you place it in the case, leave the case open. This helps any moisture in the harmonica to dry instead of sitting there damp in your harmonica.^{[3]
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4
Clean your mouth before playing. If you have eaten or drank anything right before playing, rinse your mouth with water. Remnants of food can get blown into the harmonica, and sugar or other contaminants from non-water beverages can build up a residue in the harmonica.^{[4]
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- Do not play the harmonica right after brushing your teeth. Any residue left over from the toothpaste or mouthwash can build up.
- Don't smoke while playing the harmonica. This can damage the harmonica.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Performing Heavy Cleaning on Your Harmonica

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1
Remove the cover plates. Use an appropriate screwdriver to remove the cover plates of the harmonica. Some harmonicas use a Phillips-head screwdriver, while others use a flat head. Make sure to find a screwdriver of the appropriate size.^{[5]
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- Place the screws in a safe place where they won't be lost.
- Spray both sides of the cover plates with alcohol and then wipe with a cloth.
2
Remove the reed plates. After removing the cover plates, use the screwdriver to remove the screws attached to the reed plates. Keep the screws in the order from which you remove them so they are placed back in the same hole as before.^{[6]
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Soak the reed plates. Place the reed plates into a solution of warm water and vinegar or lemon juice. Let them soak for approximately half an hour.^{[7]
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Clean the comb. While the reed plates are soaking, clean the comb. If the comb is plastic, you can clean it with soap and water. Use a soft toothbrush to brush the deposits off the comb.^{[8]
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Research source} Another option is to spray the comb with alcohol and brush it with a soft brush. You can also use something sharp to dig any build-up off the comb.
- If you have a wooden comb, do not use water or soap. Just use the brush or the sharp object. If you have a metal comb, make sure to dry it thoroughly before reassembling.^{[9]
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Clean the reed plates. Remove the reed plates from the water. Use a soft toothbrush to brush the reed plates.^{[10]
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Research source} Do not scrub the reed plates with the toothbrush.^{[11]
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Research source} You want to gently brush the reed plates along the reeds from the rivet down. Don't brush against the reeds or snag the ends of the reeds. This can damage the reeds or mess up the notes of the harmonica.^{[12]
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- Never brush across the reed. Only brush in the direction of the reed.
- Clean the other side of the reed plate as vigorously as you want since it has no reeds.
- Then run it under warm water to rinse.^{[13]
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- You can also clean the reed plates with a q-tip and hydrogen peroxide.^{[14]
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Reassemble. Let all of the harmonica parts completely dry. Then, reassemble the harmonica.
- Screw the screws back in gradually. Tighten all three of them evenly before you tighten them as far as they can go.^{[15]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do I get staining off my reed plates?

Community Answer

Soak the reed plates in a solution of Keureg K-Cup Machine Cleaner and hot water for 30 minutes.
Question

Do I have to put the screws back in their original order?

Community Answer

If the screws have any differences between them (length, diameter, etc.), then yes, you have to put them back in their original order. If they are all the same, don't worry about it.
Question

What if my harmonica has no screws?

Community Answer

If it is held by small nails, carefully remove them with very small tools (screwdriver/stylus knife) then replace them with similarly sized small screws. Or just buy better harmonicas.