Would you like to have a way to deep clean your harmonica reed plates without expensive devices or scary cleaning chemicals? I did, and here are the results of my research….
I just did a youtube video:
on cleaning harmonicas. I will give you a shopping list here for my supplies. You will probably need to go to a health food store to find two of the items:
1. Diatomaceous Earth. This is an abrasive, organic substance that is a deodorizer, absorbs dirt and grunge, and polishes surfaces.
2. Grapefruit Seed Extract. This is a concentrated antiseptic. It is safe for internal and external use.
3. Baking Soda.
I just mix equal parts of diatomaceous earth and baking soda, add three or four drops of the grapefruit seed extract, and just enough water to make a paste.
Use a toothbrush with the bristles cut off short with a new single edge razor blade and scrub the reeds and reed plate gently, rinse off and your done.
The video shows how I do this.
I really don’t like the taste of commercial dish soap, and the ingredients in products like Kaboom make me run for the exits. If you feel the same way, give this method a try. You could also just try plain Baking Soda till you get the other supplies.
9 Comments
Spiritwriter, CHt
September 20, 2013 - 9:32 amThank q so much for making the formula and sharing this amazing & healthy way to sterilize and sanitize a harmonica. I hace a C major that was given to me by a neighbor named, “Wayne”. He played his mouth harp with so much depth, I walked down the street, just to see what was I hearing soul music and was it real. We struck an instant repore and he had an extra harmonica and gave it to me ‘new’ out the box. I am ready to learn how to play my harmonica now since, I learning to play guitar. I love to synthesize both and attempt to challenge myself, merging the two. I will send my eval after I use your organic instrument harmonica clearer 😉 sat nam
Kate Van
November 12, 2013 - 7:05 pmUsing straight razors are very dangerous, if you’re not confident enough, then you should ask an expert. Yes, you got to clean it all by yourself, but expert advice will protect you from being harmed. Safety razors aren’t straight and that’s a bad luck. But one can use Gillette fusion for this too.
Berat badan
May 23, 2014 - 7:28 pmNice video nice post, thank u
Moshi8
December 16, 2014 - 6:58 pmReally it was a new idea for me to clean a harmonica!
auto sealer
December 18, 2014 - 3:04 pmWhen i was 4 years old my father given me a nice Harmonica ! After getting that i was so happy and all the day i tried to blow that but it was so tough for me to keep the breath control and blow it perfectly! Nostalgic…!
Sam Maslow
February 27, 2015 - 9:05 amThanks for the interesting and helpful article 🙂
Tanya Rumbles
March 13, 2015 - 11:29 amThis is such a refreshing and helpful post. I really enjoyed reading it and hopefully someday i need it (buy a harmonica :))
shave Academy
February 7, 2016 - 3:46 pmThanks you for the helpful post !
deanna joy bowen
July 6, 2018 - 3:33 pmi just got 8 harmonicas (by bartering) and more comming. so excited i think this was the spirit giving me my long sought, answer: anyway theres a varity . a few with blown out notes and dirty. this sounds good gonna go get supplies and start today. will tell you results. deanna joy bowen with a good story. may share it we’ll see.