Reed cleaning ... how to do it ?

[SaxPower]

Hi !

I was looking at my reeds and I think they need a bit of cleaning. They are Rico Select Jazz. I heard some telling me to soak them in a mouth wash solution and others to soak them in rubbing alcohol. Which one is the best ? And how to do it ? Does it ''resuscitate'' the reeds ?

thanks

[fballatore]

Soaking them in a mouthwash solution will kill germs, but won't really clean the reed. I would really hesitate to put rubbing alcohol on something I was going to put in my mouth. And from what I've been told, nothing will resuscitate a reed after it's dead. I have two words for you - new reed.

[Nobby Keys]

SaxPower

After a gig or if my reeds are looking a bit grubby I soak them in Hydrogen Peroxide for 30 seconds or so and gently rub them (towards the tip) with a soft toothbrush. This gets rid of the gunk and sterilises it. It will not revitalise the reed but can make it last longer as the fibres are not affected by food particles or beer(!).

I have used this method for a number of years and have not had any problems.

[Sigmund451]

Either HP or I have at times (and found positive results) used the suggested vodka for pre and post soaking reeds. It keeps them very clean and I think they last longer...never scientifically verified. When I do this I buy the rot gut 6 dollar a bottle since Im not drinking it.

I hesitate to use mouthwash as it contains sweeteners and other stuff. I dont want to put anything down my horn that may lead to sticky pads and the like. It may be fine...I know straight alcohol is.

[Mike_K]

You might want to try ReedLife (http://www.doctorsprod.com/reeds.html). I've not tried it yet, but it looks like it should work. I've tried and liked some of his other stuff.

[Pete Thomas]

Running water and a toothbrush (or just your thumb if you like)

[SaxPower]

Ok ... I tried yesterday with an old reed to soak it in Hydrogen Peroxyde for 30 secs, and It actually worked ! I saw foam forming on the reed (that means it's cleaning) and then in mouth wash to eleminate those toxic substances in the peroxyde and the reed works just fine again :)

[BariSkaJazz]

I like listerine, kills germs, smells minty fresh, and turns 'em blue!

[retread]

Reed Life works well. And try the search engine. There was a thread some time ago that offered recipes for home-brewed versions of Reed Life.

[Brendan Muse]

I use the brown original formula Listerine. It works pretty well if you soak the reed in the mouthwash for ten minutes and then in water for half an hour or so.

[Alto Saxy]

a friend of mine who plays clarinet says she simply soaks it in hydrogen peroxide and gently cleans it with a toothbrush

[Nobby Keys]

As I said before soak the reed in Hydrogen Peroxide, don't soak in mouthwash after, this could make it sticky, just let it dry in a reed holder.

[simonsoprano]

Ok ... I tried yesterday with an old reed to soak it in Hydrogen Peroxyde for 30 secs, and It actually worked ! I saw foam forming on the reed (that means it's cleaning) and then in mouth wash to eleminate those toxic substances in the peroxyde and the reed works just fine again :)

Seriously!!! You do realise mouth wash won't get rid of toxins!!! it's designed for use on teeth, not for use in clearing up harmful chemicals like that :s i would stop doing that if i were you!!!

[bandmommy]

,,,,,

[Michael]

SaxPower

After a gig or if my reeds are looking a bit grubby I soak them in Hydrogen Peroxide for 30 seconds or so and gently rub them (towards the tip) with a soft toothbrush. This gets rid of the gunk and sterilises it. It will not revitalise the reed but can make it last longer as the fibres are not affected by food particles or beer(!).

I have used this method for a number of years and have not had any problems.

+1 on this. Double reed players often use hydrogen peroxide because it is a good disinfectant that will kill bacteria, get into the fibers of the reed and really get it clean, its very cheap, and its not bad for you like rubbing alcohol. I doubt rubbing alcohol would harm you too bad but I wouldn't want the taste in my mouth and if you drink rubbing alcohol you go blind (but again, I don't know about its effects in small quantities). I would also guess the rubbing alcohol would dry out the reed. I wouldn't scrub it with a toothbrush because you will shave layers off. Also, reed fibers are effected by sugars which are in just about every food and drink (other than water). Sugar is one of the only thing that can get into reeds and can harm them though some people claim they do good. To combat this, either brush your teeth or drink a large glass of water before playing if possible.

[Mal 2]

+1 on this. Double reed players often use hydrogen peroxide because it is a good disinfectant that will kill bacteria, get into the fibers of the reed and really get it clean, its very cheap, and its not bad for you like rubbing alcohol. I doubt rubbing alcohol would harm you too bad but I wouldn't want the taste in my mouth and if you drink rubbing alcohol you go blind (but again, I don't know about its effects in small quantities). I would also guess the rubbing alcohol would dry out the reed. I wouldn't scrub it with a toothbrush because you will shave layers off. Also, reed fibers are effected by sugars which are in just about every food and drink (other than water). Sugar is one of the only thing that can get into reeds and can harm them though some people claim they do good. To combat this, either brush your teeth or drink a large glass of water before playing if possible.

Rubbing alcohol makes you puke. Methanol makes you go blind.

[Gregg W. Jackson]

I use the brown original formula Listerine.

The original formula Listerine isn't as good since they switched from glass to plastic bottles. :evil:

[Jolle]

Rubbing alcohol makes you puke. Methanol makes you go blind.
Rubbing alcohol contains most often methanol and always some toxic substance. Thought I let you know, just in case...

This said,

I have two words for you - new reed.

[MM]

Rubbing alcohol is usually 70% isopropanol and 30% water. There are several toxic effects linked to it including liver and kidney damage. But methanol (wood alcohol) is the stuff that made people go blind drinking bad moonshine in prohibition times.

I would go with the hydrogen peroxide. But there is a question whether the oxygen released (that's why peroxide foams) will break down the cane sooner. So do an experiment--treat half your reeds with peroxide and see which ones last longer over a few months....

[Nobby Keys]

Rubbing alcohol is usually 70% isopropanol and 30% water. There are several toxic effects linked to it including liver and kidney damage. But methanol (wood alcohol) is the stuff that made people go blind drinking bad moonshine in prohibition times.

I would go with the hydrogen peroxide. But there is a question whether the oxygen released (that's why peroxide foams) will break down the cane sooner. So do an experiment--treat half your reeds with peroxide and see which ones last longer over a few months....

Never had a problem with HP, although I don't use it everytime I use a reed. Reeds seem to last at least as long using this method and are clean. I don't believe that the HP causes any breakdown of the reed fibres, I would have noticed some deterioration by now. However, food/drink etc left on the reed can have an effect. Good idea to do an experiment, if anyone does, let us know the outcome.

[Jolle]

Rubbing alcohol is usually 70% isopropanol and 30% water. There are several toxic effects linked to it including liver and kidney damage. But methanol (wood alcohol) is the stuff that made people go blind drinking bad moonshine in prohibition times.
Owkey.... we're obviously talking about different rubbing alcohol here. For me, rubbing alcohol is denatured ethyl-alcohol or ethanol. The denaturing is done most often by adding methanol, although other additives are used as well.

Apparently the use of the word "rubbing alcohol" extends to different kinds of alcohol, including the propanol. I wasn't aware of that.

I would go with the hydrogen peroxide. But there is a question whether the oxygen released (that's why peroxide foams) will break down the cane sooner. So do an experiment--treat half your reeds with peroxide and see which ones last longer over a few months....
the hydrogen peroxide will oxidize organic material fairly quickly, as it is highly reactive. The foam comes from the production of carbon dioxide, which is the result of the oxidation. This is also why it is such a strong desinfectant, and can "clean out" wounds. The foam comes actually from the reaction between proteins and the hydrogen peroxide.

I don't know if the effect on the reed is worth worrying about, but as a reed is organic material, it is likely the reed is affected to some extent. Much depends on the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide as well.

[MM]

Nah, I disagree. Many things catalyze the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water + oxygen : 2H2O2 > 2H2O + O2. There is an enzyme in your blood called catalase which has this effect. The oxygen is what the produces the bubbles. You're not burning the reeds (or your skin) so there is very little carbon dioxide produced. The oxygen produced is the real disinfecting agent, it kills many bacteria (also some of your cells.)

Maybe rubbing alcohol is different in Europe, but in the USA is it isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) based. Anyway, neither isopropanol nor denatured alcohol is good to ingest, so don't use any form of "rubbing alcohol!"

The jury is out on vodka (or better yet pure grain alcohol) and hydrogen peroxide as to whether they help or hurt. I sometimes rinse off reeds in tap water after practicing but I have been too lazy lately.

[snazzyjazzyRoHo]

I just usually rinse my reed in water at the sink after practicing. It's sufficient for me.

I also floss every time before I play. But that's another story. :)

[thestudent]

Best bet, take mouthwash, a toothbrush and toothpaste with you and gargle hard before ever touching that mouthpiece to your lips. I think that's a heil of a lot easier than all the advice which deals with the effects (blowing food through your horn- raugh) rather than the cause (not cleaning your mouth of that gunk before you actually play).

Either I have toxic antibiotic saliva or this method has never made me see the necessity of pull throughs of any kind. Guess which one I think is the right answer. The old horn, which I've had since 1980-81 has not had anything pulled through it and has always been clean. The new horn which I've had since June and play every day has not had any kind of cleaning tool pulled through it and is clean.

Harv

[Jolle]

Nah, I disagree. Many things catalyze the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water + oxygen : 2H2O2 > 2H2O + O2. There is an enzyme in your blood called catalase which has this effect.
You're right.

The main reason why hydrogen peroxide desinfects though, is the formation of hydroxyl radicals, which readily oxidate the proteins. Fe2+ (found in hemoglobin) catalyses this reaction for example (H2O2 -> OH. + OH-).

You know how well that works when you get it on your hands in the lab...

[Bigtone]

Running water and a toothbrush (or just your thumb if you like)

I go with running hot water and the thumb. If that fails... new reed.

[JJ]

Running lukewarm water and a soft toothbrush works great. And it extends the reed life imho. Been doing this for years :)

[dude123]

Ok ... I tried yesterday with an old reed to soak it in Hydrogen Peroxyde for 30 secs, and It actually worked ! I saw foam forming on the reed (that means it's cleaning) and then in mouth wash to eleminate those toxic substances in the peroxyde and the reed works just fine again :)

I dont think Hydrogen Peroxide is toxic. People gargle it all the time.

[marton]

Running water and a toothbrush (or just your thumb if you like)

Yeah, that's how I do it, but with warm water.

[JohnGalt]

I dont recomend mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide(astringents and alcohol) - they seem to clean up a reed and even reinvigorate them very nicely for that playing session, but greatly reduce their effectiveness in subsequent playing sessions. Certainly undesirable if you are like me and condition reeds to be played for a very long time. As some have mentioned, just keep it clean with a toothbrush (no toothpaste on it) under running water alot and let them air dry properly on a flat surface.

[1saxman]

1. Don't soak a reed in anything.
2. Don't use rubbing alcohol - it dries the reed too fast as the alcohol evaporates and really screws it up.
3. Use Hydrogen Peroxide; pour out a small amount in a cup, wet a clean toothbrush in it and scrub every surface on the reed; you can see the dirt, etc., coming off. Shake off excess and put the reed in a Reedguard. It'll be ready to play in 30 minutes for up to several hours, depending on ambient humidity.
4. No further testing is needed. I've been doing this for years, and some reeds last a year (I always have 16 reeds in 4 Reedguards, so they don't all get played frequently). If HP broke down any fibers, I would have noticed degradation and short life spans, but such has not been the case. I also do not use the HP every time I prepare reeds to play - sometimes I get lazy and just rinse them with water. After using the HP, don't use anything else to try to make it 'safe'. Its safe already. HP is recommended as a mouthwash and dental remedy all the time. It's in many toothpastes. Yes, you should not drink it, but it breaks down quickly once out of the bottle, which is why they use the opaque bottles. It must be photoactive.
6. Speaking of Reedguards, rinse them with HP too. Use a pipe cleaner to clean under the clamps.
7. In my experience, HP actually increases reed life and seems to rejuvenate them. I think its cleaning saliva/sugars out of the tubular vessels that make up the cane, but that's a subjective opinion.
8. It is taken for granted that different kinds of players prefer different methods of reed preparation and storage. I'm not saying anybody else is 'wrong'. I'm saying that for the actual working sax player, this works. Its fast, its cheap, its effective. It kills anything that might be living on or in a reed. It makes the reeds better and doesn't hurt them. It doesn't harm you, the player. And of course, the most important thing, it cleans the reeds!
9. I've been playing reeds since 1954 and I've tried everything; boiling, oil tempering, alcohol, soaking, drying on glass....everything. Cleaning with HP and keeping reeds in a LaVoz Reedguard works. Every time. Sooner or later every reed dies, but this way it lasts longer, sounds better and you stay healthier - there literally is no downside to it.