@Dr-GO said in Clean with 'alcohol'?:

@tmd said in Clean with 'alcohol'?:

@grune said in Clean with 'alcohol'?:
...Remove the organic material and wash it away, and you've gotten rid of these organisms more effectively than isopropyl alcohol or ethanol.

Mike

Actually Mike there is an N of 1 Evidence-based study that does not support your above cleaning comparison. Look up that September 2010 Chest Article. They have culture and medical evidence that isopropyl eliminates any biological effect of atypical mycobacteria and fungi. They blinded brass a brass player with hypersensitivity pneumonitis to see if the horn was the source, with pulmonary functions and everything. The gave the horn standard treatment (as you describe) and isopropyl cleaned above standard treatment. Patient cured with the isopropyl wash. Many other brass players instruments were then cultured., and post isopropyl treated horns had a significant inhabitant of atypicals and fungi growth. Amazing study.

Hi Gary. Yes, I'm familiar with the article. I agree that it's interesting with respect to this one person's hypersensitivity. But it's far from definitive with respect to general cleaning or disinfecting. There was no tissue diagnosis, to confirm cause-and-effect (although I realize there was indirect evidence). The presumed impact was on specific organisms, so it might be a stretch to extrapolate this to the eradication of bacteria and viruses and fungi in general. In fact, they don't say they verified that the mycobacteria were eradicated, only that this one person's symptoms resolved. Also, there was no description of the cleaning method, or discussion on the efficacy of the cleaning method.

We may not agree on the best way to use alcohol-based cleaners. That's okay. But let me emphasize one point from my original post. A person's desire to disinfect their trumpet won't work all that well, if they don't get the grime out of their horn first.

Mike

@grune said in Clean with 'alcohol'?:

I use 75% Ethanol, as this is proven to be the most effective against germs and spores (higher % evaporates too rapidly, lower % is useless).

This gets debated from time-to-time. But any concentration between 60%-90% is considered effective, with 70% considered the most effective.

I prefer Ethanol, for a few reasons: not toxic; acts instantly against spores;

Alcohols can kill many bacteria, fungi, and viruses. But they are generally not effective against spores.

And paradoxically, high concentrations of alcohols are less effective at killing these organisms, because water is needed for them to act. High-concentration alcohols are meant to be used as solvents, not as disinfectants. This appears to be what @grune is alluding to in the last paragraph of his original post. And I agree with him, that ethanol is considered safer to use than isopropyl alcohol.

I don't regularly use them myself. But alcohol-based agents can have a role in cleaning your horn. However, much of this may be moot. Because you won't get these organisms out of your horn, unless you first get all the "pizza" out of your horn. These organisms thrive in the organic material in your trumpet. This is why the best way to clean your horn is the tried-and-true method of dish washing liquid, a snake, and lots of warm water. Remove the organic material and wash it away, and you've gotten rid of these organisms more effectively than isopropyl alcohol or ethanol.

Mike

@Dr-GO said in Opinions on Valve Oils?:

@IrishTrumpeter said in Opinions on Valve Oils?:

Hey Dr Go - would you have a link/description of the Valve wipedown technique?

The video above is for a compulsive cleaning. With weekly oiling, I skip all but the wipe down of the pistons. That I always do, and will also clear away all of the biofilm on the rim of the valve bore.

Same here. I use a lint-free cloth to wipe down the valves and valve casings. I also use a tissue to wipe out any grime from the bottom valve vent and the valve caps. Then I re-oil the valves. I do this once a week.

These are the cloths I use.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050R68LS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title

Mike

“It takes a pretty good drummer to be better than no drummer at all.”
Chet Baker

I almost never use a drummer ... for this very reason. But I do know one "pretty good drummer", that I use when the gig calls for one.

Mike

So much for introductions.

@flugelgirl said in Opinions on Valve Oils?:

I find most of the synthetics to leave a lot of residue over time ....

Do you believe this is because synthetic oils have more additives?

Mike

@grune said in Opinions on Valve Oils?:

Care to post your opinion/s about valve oils?

My opinion is that you should probably use valve oil.

I used Al Cass back in the 70s/80s. I use Hetman today for 2 reasons: it doesn't smell, and it comes in every variation from thin oil to thick grease.

Some people talked about how long oil lasts. Once a week, I wipe down my valves and casings, and then re-oil. I rarely need to re-oil in between my weekly routine. Personally, I believe this has more to do with my weekly cleaning routine than it does with the oil I use.

Mike

@Kehaulani said in First gig today:

BTW, how was the temperature?

It was hot. We were under a canopy. But the heat really takes something out of you.

Mike

We had our second paid gig earlier today, at another farmers market. Today's event was bigger, with lots more people. This time, we were a piano/bass/flute trio, with me on piano. Social distancing was observed and masks were in place. Everyone did a great job to make the event safe and fun.

Mike

@Dr-GO said in Welcome Thread:

Weekend's coming up so I think I only go 28 in today!

Wuss!