If it has a plastic comb put it in a deep dish.fill with water.drop 3 or 4 denture cleaning tablets in. It will foam like mad.let water clear.you will see all the dirt.rinse under tap... done.been doing it for 25 years.
I use a toothpick instead. The reason I don't use the cotton swab is the swab is too close to the size of the hole. You are loosening and possibly pushing gunk into the harmonica. If all I had was a cotton swab I'd actually take the fuzz off of it for cleaning the holes unless I removed the comb from the harmonica first. While you usually will manage to shake that gunk out, if something stays loose in there you can inhale it. I suggest the toothpick (or a slightly heavier craft pick) and hold the harmonica so the gunk you loosen falls out of the holes (it's a little awkward, basically you have to hold it up above you a bit). If you are taking it apart anyway, I'd suggest throwing all the parts in a sonic cleaner (metal and plastic parts... don't do it to a wood comb). The sonic cleaner vibrates the water super fast and really loosens up all the crud. You can even do it with the harp assembled, putting it on it's back in the bath, but you do run the slight risk of inhaling some gunk that way. You can get a new sonic cleaner for about $40, but often you can find used ones at thrift stores for super cheap.
This is amazing advice! Thanks for taking the time to share my friend. I will look into the sonic cleaners. I never have gunk still left after my 2 shakes in warm water, however; that may have to do with the high frequency I play and clean. But I’m going to test the tooth picks out as well. I was just going for speed with the cotton. Thanks for watching and supporting the channel🙏
Thanks for posting this educational and entertaining video, Thumbs up & I subscribed, cheers !
You are so welcome! thanks for watching and commenting Ron🙌
If it has a plastic comb put it in a deep dish.fill with water.drop 3 or 4 denture cleaning tablets in. It will foam like mad.let water clear.you will see all the dirt.rinse under tap... done.been doing it for 25 years.
How do you get rid of the cleaning?
What do u mean?
Worked 100% thanks
I’m happy to hear it! Thanks for watching
Interesting.
Very interesting !
I use a toothpick instead. The reason I don't use the cotton swab is the swab is too close to the size of the hole. You are loosening and possibly pushing gunk into the harmonica. If all I had was a cotton swab I'd actually take the fuzz off of it for cleaning the holes unless I removed the comb from the harmonica first. While you usually will manage to shake that gunk out, if something stays loose in there you can inhale it. I suggest the toothpick (or a slightly heavier craft pick) and hold the harmonica so the gunk you loosen falls out of the holes (it's a little awkward, basically you have to hold it up above you a bit).
If you are taking it apart anyway, I'd suggest throwing all the parts in a sonic cleaner (metal and plastic parts... don't do it to a wood comb). The sonic cleaner vibrates the water super fast and really loosens up all the crud. You can even do it with the harp assembled, putting it on it's back in the bath, but you do run the slight risk of inhaling some gunk that way.
You can get a new sonic cleaner for about $40, but often you can find used ones at thrift stores for super cheap.
This is amazing advice! Thanks for taking the time to share my friend. I will look into the sonic cleaners.
I never have gunk still left after my 2 shakes in warm water, however; that may have to do with the high frequency I play and clean.
But I’m going to test the tooth picks out as well. I was just going for speed with the cotton.
Thanks for watching and supporting the channel🙏
Don't bits of the cotton tend to get caught in the reeds?
It the cotton part gets loose I usually start on a new tip to avoid that. Also you probably have to find a brand that works best for you.
I just don't eat before I play my harps, but if you are playing at the end of a set, it makes for a long night.
Yea, I always eat an hr or so before my gig. I should have mentioned this! Thanks for watching Jo🙏
Thanks
You’re very welcome!
love this, I damaged one of my valved harmonicas by cleaning it incorrectly
I’m happy to hear this helped you! Also look into the ultra sonic machines. I’m gonna buy one soon to see how it works.
I’m happy to hear this helped you! Also look into the ultra sonic machines. I’m gonna buy one soon to see how it works.
Put 5 denture cleaning tablets in a line in a bowl.put your harmonica on top of them.holes 1 to 10.hold it.fill with water.
Okay..... now that is gross. 🥴
Lol! It is truly gross. People always ask if they can play my harmonicas. I’m like, hard nope.