How to clean a clarinet without a cleaning kit

1. Can I clean my clarinet with soap and water?
2. What happens if you don't clean your clarinet?
3. How do you disinfect and clean a clarinet?

Can I clean my clarinet with soap and water?

The mouthpiece can be easily cleaned by using regular dish detergent, warm water and a small brush (available at the music store) or a very small (babies size) toothbrush. Clean the mouthpiece at least once a week. DO NOT WASH the rest of the clarinet using water — this can damage the pads that cover the tone holes.

What happens if you don't clean your clarinet?

If they don't clean out their instruments on a regular basis, black mold can build up inside and cause a condition called “Saxophone Lung.” At the conference, researchers described a case of a clarinetist who neglected to clean his instrument for some 30 years and suffered the consequences.

How do you disinfect and clean a clarinet?

Clarinet care and maintenance. The mouthpiece may be cleaned using dish detergent in warm (not hot!) water and a mouthpiece brush to remove deposits. Occasionally, you may also choose to use a multi-surface spray-on cleaner that contains bleach to disinfect after cleaning.