Cleaning Your Instrument After Being Sick: What Musicians Should Know
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
When you’ve been sick, your instrument has been along for the ride. Warm breath, moisture, and saliva create an environment where germs can linger longer than you might expect.
Once you’re feeling better, it’s a good idea to give your instrument a little extra attention before jumping back into regular playing. Think of it the same way you would a toothbrush. After an illness, you clean or replace it so you’re not exposing yourself again. Your instrument deserves the same consideration.
Brass Instruments
Start with the mouthpiece, since it has the most direct contact. Wash it with warm water, mild dish soap, and a mouthpiece brush. This removes buildup and helps keep things sanitary.
If you were significantly ill, it’s also a good opportunity to give the instrument a bath. Remove the valves and slides, rinse the tubing with warm (not hot) water and mild soap, and run a snake brush through the leadpipe if you have one. After drying everything thoroughly, reassemble and apply fresh valve oil and slide grease.
Woodwind Instruments
For clarinet and saxophone players, the mouthpiece should be washed with lukewarm water and mild soap. Avoid hot water, which can damage certain mouthpiece materials.
Any reeds used while you were sick should be discarded. Reeds absorb moisture and can harbor bacteria, so it’s best to start fresh.
After playing again, make sure the instrument is thoroughly swabbed and dried. This helps remove excess moisture that could encourage bacteria or mold growth.
Don’t Forget the Case
Instrument cases absorb moisture over time. If you’ve been sick, leave the case open to air out for a day or two so it can dry completely. Bonus if it is a sunny day and you can leave it in the sun for an hour or two. Sunlight (UV light) naturally kills many bacteria and viruses. Even indirect sunlight can help reduce microbes that may have been transferred from the player to the case. Just be sure to take the instrument out of the case before setting the case in the sun....you don't want to risk damaging the instrument. Only the open case should sit in the sun.
When to Consider Professional Cleaning
If the instrument hasn’t been cleaned in a long time, or if it’s already due for maintenance, illness can be a good reminder to schedule a professional cleaning and service. A shop cleaning removes buildup deep inside the instrument that can’t be reached during normal at-home care.
Taking a few minutes to clean your instrument after being sick helps protect your health, keeps your instrument functioning well, and gets you back to playing with confidence.