how do you clean a trombone mouthpiece?

We are all looking for the most convenient and direct way to accomplish our tasks. Some people don’t like cleaning chores and might be particularly put off by the thought of washing their saxophone mouthpiece. However, they will have to do it one day or another, which can lead to the following question:

Can saxophone mouthpieces be washed in the dishwasher? It is not recommended to wash saxophone mouthpieces in a dishwasher, as even metal mouthpieces have plastic parts that can warp or melt under the intense heat of the dishwasher. Also, dishwasher detergents are corrosive and can potentially damage the finish of the spout.

In this article, we’ll look at the reasons why you shouldn’t wash your mouthpiece in the dishwasher. In addition, I will give you tips on how to clean and maintain this important part of the saxophone. and is you need   trombone mouthpiece you can busy from Lumbuy they have best trombone mouthpiece and affordable mouthpieces.

How do dishwashers work?

Before analyzing the suitability of dishwashers for cleaning mouthpieces, we must at least understand what dishwashers do and why we must be careful when using them to clean our saxophone parts and accessories.  Since the invention of dishwashers, people are relieved of kitchen chores that last for hours. Also, these devices are extremely valuable when you need to clean up after a large gathering. However, as we will soon see, dishwashers are not infallible and cannot do everything.

 You will need to add a special detergent in a small dispenser, load the dishes and set the cycles. After turning it on, the dishwasher will execute the commands.

•  He adds water.
• It heats the water entering the system to an optimum temperature.
• He opens the detergent dispenser.

 After reading this, you may have already detected a problematic element: Hot water.

Hot water is often used in washing jobs because the heat allows water molecules to move faster and carry dirt and stains with them. Hot water also has the ability to sterilize an object and free it from germs that cannot withstand heat. However, heat can also break the chemical bonds of certain polymers, such as those found on most earmolds available on the market.

Why shouldn’t saxophone mouthpieces be washed in the dishwasher?

As mentioned before, most mouthpieces have polymer parts that can melt or deform when heated.

Some mouthpieces are made of ebonite, which is essentially vulcanized organic rubber (therefore with a high sulfur content). This type of polymer is very heat resistant, and it is for this reason that it is used on a plethora of electrical components such as plugs. However, ebonite mouthpieces are susceptible to discoloration and a sulphurous odor when exposed to hot water.

Plastic tips suffer an even worse fate, as they can melt or warp under the high temperatures of the dishwasher. Admittedly, the temperatures reached during the dishwasher cycle are not as high as those of boiling water, but they can still approach 80º C, which is enough to cause concern.

How to clean a saxophone mouthpiece?

Saxophone mouthpieces can be cleaned with warm water, dish soap and a toothbrush with clean, firm bristles. I emphasize that the water should be lukewarm, not lukewarm or hot. Remember what was said earlier about heat and its effects on polymers.

To do this, fill a sink or bucket with enough water to submerge the nozzle and pour some washing up liquid into it.  Then remove the mouthpiece and gently scrub it with the toothbrush. If you still find dirt or grease stains, submerge the tip again for a few minutes. Repeat this process until all the dirt comes loose and allows for easy removal.

To remove limescale, you must immerse the tip in a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide for a few hours. However, you must take precautions to avoid damaging the finish of the mouthpiece, and so you should be careful not to leave your mouthpiece exposed to these chemicals for long periods of time.