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Writer's pictureBlues Harmonica Lessons
Dec 2, 20202 min read

How to Clean a Harmonica | Tips and Tricks for Super Clean Blues Harps

So, your harmonica is dirty. You want to give it a clean, but you don't know how to go about it.


Let's answer the question: how do you clean a harmonica?

Man cleaning a harmonica
How to Clean a Harmonica.

Blues harmonicas require regular cleaning. They very easily gather dust, dirt and some pretty disgusting remnants of food and drink. If you allow a buildup, it can affect the tone of the instrument, making it difficult to play or even stopping notes from playing entirely. It's definitely worth learning how to clean a harmonica.


But how should you clean your harmonica to avoid these problems?


Regular cleaning tips

To avoid saliva buildup in the harp, rinse regularly with warm water. Rinse the harmonica with water, then tap it against your hand to remove any leftover water. Leave it to dry thoroughly.


If your blues harmonica has a wooden comb - like a Hohner Marine Band - it's safer to use a soft, dry brush rather than rinsing which will risk swelling and cracking the wood.


Cleaning a harmonica using an ultrasonic cleaner

I'm pretty old-school when it comes to cleaning, but you might like to save time by using a harmonica cleaner - a Supersonic Cleaner. Here's a link to a popular ultrasonic cleaner (disclaimer: I receive a small affiliate payment if you buy through this link).


Deep clean

Even if you rinse your harmonica regularly, it still helps to give it a deep clean every so often. I'm gigging a lot so I try to do this once a month. It's a more involved process so it takes time and can be a little fiddly, but I always find my harps play better after a deep clean, and last longer when I look after them in this way.


You will need:

  • A screwdriver (type varies by harp)

  • Cocktail sticks or toothpicks

  • Feeler gauge or small thin piece of paper

  • Surgical spirit ot rubbing alcohol

  • One large bown, one small bowl

  • Toothbrush

  • Hand towels/flannels


STEP 1:

Remove screws holding the cover plates, then remove reedplates from harp comb. Keep the screws in a safe place - they're very easy to lose!

Using screwdriver to remove screws from harmonica cover plates.
Using screwdriver to remove screws from harmonica reedplates.
Taking reedplates off harmonica comb.

STEP 2:

Use cocktail sticks to remove excess dirt and saliva from all parts.

Using cocktail stick to remove dirt from harmonica comb.

STEP 3:

Wipe lengthways with surgical spirit (from small bowl) and place in large bowl of water. Dry thoroughly with hand towel.

Using toothbrush to wipe down harmonica reedplate.
Drying harmonica comb with hand towel.

STEP 4:

Gently use feeler gauge to check reeds are free and working properly.

Playing harmonica reed on reedplate using a feeler gauge.

STEP 5:

Re-assemble harmonica.

Assembling reedplates onto harmonica comb.

I hope this article has helped you and it's clear how to clean a harmonica and whether you need a harmonica cleaner. Cleaning a harmonica can be fun too!


🚨 Do be careful when taking harps apart, and make sure to put them back together in the same way!


👁️ To see the above harmonica cleaning process by video, watch the 2 minute summary:

💥 Want to learn blues harmonica?

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