Sofia Martinez
Plastic recorders are lightweight, compact, and have been a popular choice for classroom music for decades. However, they are more prone to clogging due to condensation build-up. To prevent this, it is important to regularly clean your plastic recorder. This involves disassembling the recorder, soaking it in warm water with dish detergent, and scrubbing with a bottle brush. For disinfection, isopropyl alcohol can be poured into the windway, left to sit, and then rinsed. It is important to note that certain solvents, such as acetone or lacquer thinner, should be avoided as they can damage the instrument. Additionally, some recorders utilize antimicrobial technology to prevent the growth of bacteria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Disinfectant | Isopropyl alcohol |
| Cleaning solution | 1 part dish detergent and 4 parts warm water |
| Cleaning tools | Soft bottle brush, thin rod or needle with a soft cloth wrapped around it, dampened pipe cleaner, clean cloth |
| Cleaning method | Soak for 15 minutes, scrub, rinse with warm water, dry with a clean cloth, air dry |
| Notes | Wash hands before handling, do not soak wooden recorders, do not use solvents like acetone or lacquer thinner, do not wash in the dishwasher |
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What You'll Learn
Disassemble the recorder
Disassembling your plastic recorder is an important step in keeping it clean and hygienic. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:
Firstly, wash your hands with soap and warm water. This is a crucial step to prevent any dirt or bacteria from transferring from your hands to the recorder during the disassembly process.
Now, let's begin taking the recorder apart. Start by removing the head joint. Gently twist and pull the head joint until it loosens and comes off the body of the recorder. Be careful not to use excessive force, as this could damage the instrument. Once removed, you should have two separate pieces to work with.
If your recorder has other joints or parts that can be safely disassembled, refer to the manufacturer's instructions or seek advice from a music expert or repair technician. They can guide you on how to safely disassemble the specific model of your recorder, as some parts may require special care or tools.
After disassembly, you can proceed to the next step of cleaning your recorder. Soak the pieces in a diluted detergent solution (1 part dish detergent to 4 parts warm water) for about 15 minutes. Use a mild detergent to avoid any damage to the plastic.
If your recorder is not extremely dirty, you may choose to skip the disassembly step and soak the recorder as a whole. However, disassembling it will allow you to clean it more thoroughly and reach areas that would otherwise be difficult to access.
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Soak in diluted detergent
To soak your plastic recorder in diluted detergent, start by disassembling the recorder. Fill a container with warm water and add dish detergent, using a ratio of 1 part detergent to 4 parts water. Gently place the pieces of your recorder into the solution and let them soak for 15 minutes. You can then use a soft bottle brush to help clean away any remaining dirt inside the recorder, pushing it gently inside the bores of the recorder and moving it back and forth. If your recorder is not extremely dirty, you can also opt to soak it whole without disassembling it.
After soaking and scrubbing, rinse the recorder thoroughly with warm water. Dry the recorder by placing the pieces on a clean, dry towel, or by gently rubbing them with a clean cloth. You can also use a cleaning rod, wrapping a cloth around it to dry the inside of the recorder, and using the dry cloth for the outside. Ensure that the recorder is completely dry before reassembling it.
Diluted detergent is an effective way to clean your plastic recorder, helping to remove dirt and grime while also conditioning the instrument to prevent dirt from building up as quickly. It is important to clean your recorder regularly to prevent the airways from becoming blocked, which will ruin the sound.
It is worth noting that you should not soak a wooden recorder, as this could damage the instrument. Additionally, avoid using strong solvents such as acetone or lacquer thinner, as these can melt the plastic of your recorder. Always wash your hands before handling your recorder to limit the amount of dirt that gets inside.
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Use a bottle brush
To disinfect a plastic recorder, a bottle brush can be used to scrub the inside of the recorder. First, disassemble the recorder by twisting and pulling the head joint gently until it comes off. Then, fill a container with warm water and add dish detergent, creating a diluted solution. Soak the pieces of the recorder in this solution for around 15 minutes. After soaking, use a soft bottle brush to gently push and move back and forth inside the bores of the recorder pieces. This will help remove any remaining dirt or grime. If you don't have a bottle brush, you can use a soft cloth wrapped around a thin rod or needle. Rinse the recorder pieces with warm water and let them air dry completely on a clean towel before reassembling.
It is important to clean your plastic recorder regularly to prevent the build-up of dirt and condensation, which can lead to clogging and affect the sound quality. To minimise clogging, you can also warm up the head joint before playing, reducing the temperature difference between your breath and the recorder. Additionally, always wash your hands and consider brushing your teeth before playing to limit the amount of dirt that accumulates inside the recorder.
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Rinse and dry
Rinse the pieces of the recorder thoroughly over the sink with warm water. If your recorder is particularly dirty, you can use a soft bottle brush to clean the insides of the recorder. Push the bottle brush gently inside the bores of the recorder and move it back and forth to remove any remaining dirt. If you don't have a bottle brush, you can use a soft cloth wrapped around a thin rod or a long needle.
Once you have rinsed the recorder, place the pieces onto a clean, dry towel. You can also use a clean cloth to dry the outside of the recorder. Ensure that you dry the recorder thoroughly before reassembling it. If you want to speed up the drying process, wrap a clean cloth around the cleaning rod and use this to dry the inside of the recorder.
It is important to make sure that the recorder is completely dry before you store it away in its case. If the recorder is not dry, moisture can build up inside the instrument, creating a breeding ground for mould and bacteria. To prevent this, always ensure that your recorder is dry before storing it.
If you are worried about the mouthpiece of your recorder, you can use an alcohol swab to clean it. Be gentle when doing this, as you don't want to damage the mouthpiece.
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Grease the joints
To grease the joints of a plastic recorder, you can use a product such as Yamaha Key Oil Medium or recorder cream. Greasing the joints of a plastic recorder is important to ensure the joints slide together smoothly and to prevent the plastic joints from rubbing directly against each other, which can cause wear. Recorder cream should be applied generously to any loose joints on an ABS resin recorder.
Some recorders may come with a small container of joint grease. It is recommended to apply this when assembling the recorder, particularly to any cork joints. However, it is not necessary to wipe the grease away every time. If you do not have any grease, you can chill the recorder in the refrigerator or freezer, as chilling the plastic can make the joints less tight.
It is important to note that greasing the joints of a plastic recorder is not always necessary or appropriate. Recorders that don't have cork or thread wrapping in the joints usually don't require greasing. Greasing should only be used to make joints that already fit well slide together more smoothly. If a plastic joint is too tight, there may be a mechanical problem with the joint, and greasing may not be the solution.
In some cases, flashing residue along the casting lines or joints can cause a slight misfit. This can often be corrected by sanding or buffing the joint to make the assembly work as intended. Superfine sandpaper or steel wool can be used to smooth out the joint and improve the fit.
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Frequently asked questions
Disinfecting a plastic recorder is easy. First, wash your hands and brush your teeth. Then, disassemble the recorder and fill a container with warm water and a mild dish detergent. Soak the recorder in this solution for 15 minutes and scrub the insides with a soft bottle brush. Rinse the recorder with warm water and let it air-dry. Finally, grease the joints with commercial cork grease or petroleum jelly.
Avoid using solvents such as acetone or lacquer thinner to clean a plastic recorder. These products can melt the keys and body of the recorder.
Plastic recorders tend to clog more easily than wooden recorders because of the condensation that forms when your breath hits the cold plastic. To minimize clogging, warm up the head joint to body temperature before playing. You can do this by holding the head joint under your arm, in your hand, or by putting it in your pocket for a few minutes.
To clean the mouthpiece of a plastic recorder, fill the windway with diluted detergent, hold it for a few seconds, and then let it drain into the sink. Cover the end of the head joint with your palm and blow into the window to expel any excess detergent.
