The Best Way To Clean A Harmonica

In this video I share the best way to clean a harmonica.
⚡️ Get the Scale Cheatsheet (free!): www.harmonicar...
Products Mentioned:
Seidel Disinfection Bag: www.seydel1847...

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

👉Watch this next, 7 Essential Harmonica Accessories: kzbin.info/www/bejne/morXk4qaqdCjp7c Take your experience further: 🌟Download the Scale Cheatsheet: bit.ly/scalesheet 🔥Blues Harp Success: bit.ly/blues-harp-success

[@RJWdevelopment]

The best way to keep the screws organized (on this or any other similar project) is to draw a rough diagram of each piece on cardboard, and then poke the screws into the cardboard where they're supposed to go. This way you guarantee that even if the parts are soaking overnight to clean, you'll be 100% sure how to put the whole thing back together and not lose any parts.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Good tip!

[@Michael-v7l7z]

If it has a plastic comb.put your harmonica in a deep dish on its back. holes facing up.fill with water.drop 4 or 5 denture cleaning tablets in.it will foam like mad and all the bubbles will release the dirt inside.(like the bubbles in washing powder) leave till all the bubbles have gone and the waters clear.you will see all the dirt in the bowl.rins under tap.....done.been doing it for 25 years

[@djo0164]

Just deep cleaned my 6-7 yrs old marine band crossover and it plays like a charm, was really disgusting inside. Thank you so much!

[@michaelmilne9914]

I put my harmonica (s) in a glass of Canadian Club 12 year old whiskey over night. Don't start on suck notes after unless you want stuff in your mouth. A careful use of a q-tip also helps. Whiskey blues? Almost a buzz on a clean harmonica!!! Also if you have bad breath and your harmonica is smelling it is because you need to floss. Bad breath is caused by decaying food in your teeth, not all the other nonsense big pharm tries to sell you. Seriously, overnight in whiskey once in a while works. Also I have no problem with wooden combs with this.

[@vincentpaul835]

I just started learning how to play the harmonica and found your channel. I've subscribed because you're a great teacher. I would like to add that I appreciate your new background colour. Very cool. Much easier on the eyes without all the red.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Thanks. I've been experimenting with the color. My next video is red again, but I'll be going blue in the future.

[@phasmo9942]

Hi Jonah! When I watched your video on the Arkia harmonica I did some research and found out that the more expensive ones come with an antibacterial comb. Would you think this will reduce harmonica maintenance?

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Yes! I think it’s a really cool idea… I’m actually getting one sent to me, but I don’t have it yet. I may make a video on it when it comes out. Of course, the comb will not reduce the accumulation of debris, but it will make the sanitizing step unnecessary and it should smell better in general, but I have yet to test it myself.

[@jeemalsoknownasjimhawkins1294]

Hey, Jonah! Strange coincidence--I was literally running my harmonicas through my Seydel Disinfection Bag ($55US) as I saw your video pop up. One thing about running water through your steel or plastic comb--if your water district has hard water (like here in Carlsbad, California), I would urge you to use filtered water so that calcium does not build up and block the reeds. If you want a really easy harmonica to take apart (three screws and takes less than 30 seconds to disassemble), I would recommend a Yonberg (plus, the cover plates are made of food-grade resin and stay very clean). Great video on what could be a major problem, especially for some of us senior citizens who produce a lot of saliva. Cheers!

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Good point on the water, thanks Jeem.

[@steeevo0136]

How does UV sterilize shadow areas ? You know, like all the nooks and crannies in a harmonica.

[@jeemalsoknownasjimhawkins1294]

@@steeevo0136 Hey, Steeevo! The UV light cannot sterilize the shadow areas. BUT, the Seydel Disinfection Bag produces ozone gas, which will kill everything the UV does not. That is why it is so important to let your harmonica air out for a while before you start playing it, because the ozone will remain in the comb. I use a hair dryer to blow out my harps after I use the bag. I highly recommend getting that Seydel bag because it does keep my harps sanitary. Hope that was helpful. Cheers.

[@steeevo0136]

@@jeemalsoknownasjimhawkins1294 Aaah, that makes sense. Many thanks.

[@asbjrnandersen4222]

I have been scared away from running water through it due to Hohner’s attached note saying “don’t do this!”

[@HarmonicaPete]

Many Hohners have wooden combs and water can make the wood swell

[@cincinnatipedalsteel4347]

No need to be scared. As long as you have plastic combs it will do no harm to your harp. What I do with mine is hold them in front of a fan both front and back after rinsing them out to ensure they fully driy

[@NicholasBrule]

Would a cola bath remove oxidation?

[@Pidovski]

!!!DONT PUT IT IN COLA!!! The little plates that vibrate to make sound will get really sticky and your harmonica will stop making sound.

[@mrbard1]

I just found a special 20 made in Germany for 5 dollars at the flea market. Deep cleaning the shit out of this cause idk who blew through this before.

[@MP-tf7cc]

Hohner instructions for a Special 20 says not to put in water or run water through it.

[@Cowdog1]

Seems a good case for not buying expensive harps, like I did. I hope I can keep them rocking for a long time. I'm not buying anymore high-dollar ones, for sure. Cheers!

[@JerrysHarmonicaChannel]

If You Use Vinegar I would guess using the White Vinegar most likely more better then use the Yellow Apple Vinegar , White is designed with cleaning yellow apple Vinegar is Food , I worked with a person that got Apple Vinegar to windows with that was not good it made the windows worse , and attracted a lot Honey Bees , when that person went home I had to reclean those windows with window cleaners to get rid of the Bees LOL. Some Harmonicas they don't have to be thrown away , new reeds can be bought to replace the wore out Reeds .

[@kl0an]

I've definitely got some serious harmonica cleaning in my future. I placed an ad on Craigslist in Portland, OR looking for old and tired harmonicas that I could buy to learn how to repairs, them, clean them, and get them out tp folks that wanted to learn to play a decent harmonica. So I get an email from an older fellow and he says to come on over, he's got some for sale. Off to Portland I go, right down in the miffle of town to a high rise retirement home. 15th floor, the guy opens his door and he's basically got a living room, bathroom, bedroom, and kitchenette.. But, it's home for him.. He goes off into the bedroom and comes out with a Plano fishing tackle 790 box. Thos thing had two doors on the frontand when you open those doors, there's two more doors under that.. ALL of them were full of harmonicas, all but one were 10 hole harps from special 20's to Old Standby's. 38 of them.. but, in the bottom trays, there were about 7 or 8 harps all taken apart.. I figured I'd wasted my time because there's no way I was carrying enough money to buy them all so I was cherry picking some of the harps to add to my collection and he says "What are you doing? " I told him I was looking through them to see which ones I wanted to buy.. I asked him how much he was asking.. He said (insert drum roll here) $5.00 including the box... I dang near got a paper cut from pulling a $5.00 bill out of my wallet as fast as I did.. I gave him the money, thanked him graceously and as I walked out the door he said "I hope you have as much fun as I did with them.." Now I've got about 45 harps in all I need to clean up.. Some are missing the screws that hold the cover plates on and others are missing the nails that hold the plates on. I have one that looks like the reed is either bent under the reed bar or broke off.. But hey, I've plenty more to replace that one. I need to find an app that will play the a-g scales so I can fighre out which reed plate is what scale. Once I find it, then I can start seeing if I can make a few more harps out of my parts. There's one Koch Harmonica in the lot I think it was in key of G that has a little issue with one of the reeds but, it's big enough I don't need bifocals to see the little bitty screws. Where's the best place to get those teeny screws, nuts, and nails??

[@Michael-v7l7z]

Put line of denture cleaning tablets in a bowl.put harmonica on them on its back.fill with water.

[@carltongadgettmannprice352]

I have never blown my harmonica without thoroughly brushing my teeth and rinsing my mouth with mouthwash. This information was in the owner's manual that came with the harmonica. This does keep the harmonica smelling fresh longer however the harmonica will still need periodic cleaning but not as frequently. Using denture tablets to clean the harmonica and proper teeth brushing and mouthwashing, one can possibly go several years without having to take the harmonica apart for a deep cleaning.

[@ucheucheuche]

I bought a used Koch harmonica, and boy I want to clean it before using it! 🤮😷

[@patricepainchaud]

Great video, thanks! On a side note, you have Andy-Samberg-with-a-beard vibes! :D

[@Icandoitwithabrokenheart1989]

Chuck it in the trash bin Ohhh heavens no hellnah this is a gift from my rich grand aunt no way my trowing this away 💚

[@jaredivey505]

Curious about using boiling water to rinse Special 20s. Bad idea? Could this do damage?

[@jacemoran1190]

Bout to clean my great grandfathers harmonica. I fear what I’m gonna find in there.

[@efo1358]

Who old are you? 🤔🤐🤙

[@johnmarston-ce4ui]

My harmonica doesn't have screws.

[@cincinnatipedalsteel4347]

If you aren’t used to doing this take pictures of where the screws go. Better safe than sorry

[@Jesus_is_the_savior]

Can you run water through the back of the harmonica?

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

only with harps with plastic combs

[@JB-rw9xt]

Thanks Jonah. Something I've been needing to do. Great tutorial!

[@janakassis6491]

Because is not so easy wend i putted back

[@kennethhough3251]

KZbin is the best. I have several harmonicas. And I noticed every so often they don't play well. Then I got to thinking there must be a way to clean them. Then found your very informed channel thank you very much I learned a lot.😊

[@pluckstevenson..8025]

I'm 54 been practicing 4weeks now did not no I could run it under water nice one your lessons are great as we'll

[@steeevo0136]

"know" "well" Also, punctuation was invented for a reason.

[@pluckstevenson..8025]

@@steeevo0136 bite ma shite

[@pluckstevenson..8025]

Sook a very oot ma erse

[@steeevo0136]

@@pluckstevenson..8025 W⚓

[@janakassis6491]

I am afraid to clean armonica

[@sandorrabe5745]

I don't quite understand why a woodem comb would suffer from a quick rinse under the tap followed by an immediate blow dry, while at the same time it can withstand the warm moist breath we blow through it while playing. I do believe that the wood will swell and understand why, but just cannot get my head around why playing it is not harmful but rinsing it is.

[@aldfasdf]

I occasionally soak my harmonica in a glass of water with a denture cleaning tablet.

[@NayveeMan]

My buddy and I have had the same ONE harmonica for 7 years, share it every show and never clean it. he’s not heavy he’s my bro

[@thelightstillshines2476]

I have brand new harmonica's about eight of them I don't think I'm going to put water on them it probably ruin them I don't have any cheap harmonica

[@Rolandjes37]

Hey what if you used a razor blade to scrape off the debris and sandpaper. Would it make a difference or what it just mess it up?

[@Charlie19501]

Good ideas. Mention about new reed plates to replace. It is too expensive to buy. More than 80 % of new one.

[@philrobson7976]

I put the reeds in backwards and it created a whole new weird scale. Any comments on what it is and is it usable?

[@johnmarston-ce4ui]

I ran water through KY harmonica and it made it sound so much clearer! And I think it tuned it bc of all the dust

[@monalizalorenzo3662]

That's why I don't like harmonica😂

[@dev4357]

Can we use 99% Alcohol instead of soap and water?

[@sayonara1957]

For plastic Harmonica can I use also a plastic bottle with squirt water ? 😊

[@jo_h8168]

I wanted to clean my dads harmonica before i used it haha

[@jaydenwake]

Bro looks like mini lad hope he didn’t do the stuff he did

[@azmike3572]

Too late! The dishwasher really did a job on mine, 🙂

[@Rodiroess]

The harmonica might be my favorite instrument of all time.

[@zachdewitt7911]

So if some of my notes aren’t ringing the way the used to, I’m assuming it’s bc it’s dirty inside and not automatically because the reed has broken?

[@zachdewitt7911]

Or is it just the fact that it’s $25 East top?

[@Alf_4]

Can it be steamed after being disassembled?

[@alvinantonio1]

I soak mine with a mouthwash solution.

[@CB-pt4gd]

Yo thank you. I truly appreciate it.

[@RC-md2yx]

Really good channel for learning harmonica

[@MortalFolly]

thank you sir

[@markingham4773]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@pnfraceteam]

Man i needed this! Thanks!

[@navigator1372]

What about clr for corrosion

[@thelightstillshines2476]

Why not blow air through it with an air compressor

[@philrobson7976]

Because too much air pressure might bend the reeds.

[@thelightstillshines2476]

@@philrobson7976 I was thinking you can hold the air compressor away from the harmonica at arm's length but also you can also try hydrogen peroxide

[@BlackSheepTruthMedia]

Thanks brother

[@Charlie19501]

New reed plates?

[@MonsterOiac]

Nice!

[@phasmo9942]

Hi Jonah, I have watched your video on the Arkia harmonica. The more expensive ones come with an antibacterial comb. Have you got one and if so, is it any good? Do you think it might reduce harmonica maintenance?

[@spoofsters]

One thing I'd like to add. Not all tap water is equal, depending on where you live. (I think lower down @jeemalsoknownasjimhawkings1294 mentioned this as well) I've lived in areas where the local water is so mineral heavy by the time the water dries, it's more gunked up than before you rinsed it. One thing I like to do is after rinsing my harmonica in water, (again, only with a plastic or metal comb) is pour some 90% rubbing alcohol into it. This has an added effect of sanitizing your harmonica as well as evaporating extremely quickly (the main reason I do it). The rubbing alcohol evaporates so fast, it will evaporate any residual water right along with it, that's still not dried inside your harp. It does taste a little alcohol-ie....this is a word I just made up lol....if you play them immediately after, but wait 15 minutes, you're golden.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Good point about the water. Quality is very good where I live, so I didn’t think to add that to the video.

[@joshuarbanda]

Can you use rubbing alcohol

[@penitjindra5873]

Can I just sanitize the harmonica in the oven with low temperature? Tks

[@janegregory4932]

Thank you, very useful. Please what is the beautiful acoustic guitar in the background??

[@Cmnlwrbry]

Your breathing in the mic is killing me

[@verystupidhandle]

Hot? Cold? Warm?

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

I use warm water, but I bet any temperature is fine

[@verystupidhandle]

Thanks for taking time to reply....Honer special 20, and a few Fender harps A, F, G