Disinfecting woodwind instruments

Question

I've bought an interesting instrument recently, a zurna, which I was really excited about. The problem is the same day I first used it (without cleaning it before, yes I know, stupid) I got quite an unpleasant case of gastroenteritis. I can not say for certain that zurna is to blame, nevertheless I want to thoroughly disinfect the instrument before I play it again. There was already a question about effect of rubbing alcohol on reeds. Although I am interested if there are any commonly used techniques of cleaning and disinfecting woodwind instruments besides it, that would least damage them?

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 12 '19 at 18:57

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Rubbing alcohol will not damage the wood of reeds or the body of the instrument. But there might be problems with the surface finish (if any) of the instrument and/or any glue used on the reed. I don't know of any other disinfectant that wouldn't cause more problems than rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol, though. Try it out on a small area first.

answered Mar 12 '19 at 18:57

Scott Wallace

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Thanks! I'll accept your answer, but I'll add as a comment: I didn't see the answer at the time so I just thoroughly washed the mouthpiece with soap and water and then washed it when 95% alcohol. Played it without any problems. Don't know if this is an appropriate process but seems to work in my case. – Anthropomorphous Dodecahedron Mar 14 '19 at 08:38

Disinfecting woodwind instruments

1 Answers1