How do I keep my clarinet reeds from getting dirty so fast?
Make sure you're drying the reed out properly before putting the clarinet away. Investing in a reed case as the poster above suggests is a good idea. But dirtiness on its own doesn't hurt a reed! If you have delicious dirt, dust and skin-flakes build-up on your reed, you can revitalise it by taking a sharp razor blade and gently scraping off the excess crap until you can see the cane again. Be careful not to scrape the cane off too much. Should play pretty well again after that.
How to clean a clarinet case?
It depends what the case is made of. If the case is real leather, try using leather cleaner on it (available at most shoe stores). If the case is plastic or vinyl, you have more leeway. I would go for the strong stuff -- Bar Keeper's Friend. Bar Keeper's Friend is a cleanser. You can find it at Home Depot. Make sure you use the Liquid, not the powder. Just squirt some on a dry paper towel and scrub. Do not add any water. Make sure you wear rubber gloves. After scrubbing, wipe the spot well with wet paper towels. Barkeeper's Friend removes rust, oxidation, and many other stains. It should remove your yellow-brown mark....but do not use it on real leather.
How can I keep my glasses from getting dirty?
Most likely it's being caused by your anti-glare coating (even though you say you've had the coating before). There are about 5 or 6 different types of anti-glare coating, and each optometrist's office and/or optical lab has their preferences for which one they use. Some are more prone to smudging than others, and it gets worse as they age (glasses with anti-glare coating should be replaced after 2 years). Check with your optometrist or your optical lab and see if you can try a different "brand" of anti-glare coating next time. Brand name or generic glass cleaner is good for that. You can wipe it with a "clean, well-washed, lint-free, cotton cloth". That means the tail of your T-shirt, or someone Else's. Another good wiper is those expensive micro-fiber cloths from the camera store, but an old silk bouse whacked into hunks will work. Glass cleaner is alcohol based, and it will evaporate fast.None of this will keep it clean longer, but it will make it dry faster after you get the fingerprints off.
Substitute for clarinet cork grease?
Olive oil will go rancid and stink really bad. Don't want to do that. It's also too thin to hang around very long and will swell the cork. Vaseline (petroleum jelly) will work fine. Brass players use it on tuning slides all the time. It's a little thin for corks though and won't last too well. It may also stain your clarinet as the oils seep through the corks. Chapstick is an all-time common substitute and some people (myself included) only use chapstick for lubricating corks. I've been using it since about 1975. Just don't let it get hot in your case - chapstick melts at a much lower temperature than does real cork grease and it will make a huge mess in your case. Lip gloss works in a pinch but it's really too thin to use regularly. It's also only really convenient for the girls. Don't use a colored gloss or lipstick though - that stain will never come out. If you have to: but you're taking a chance on some really smelly residue later if you don't keep it clean - Crisco or coconut oil.
Clarinet reed help, does anyone know what to do???
1) Storage The reeds need a flat place to store with decent circulation. If you're putting it in a reed guard or some sort of plastic holder and in a case, it doesn't get any air. The paper holders, or even the plastic cases that Rico reeds come in, are decent storage because they allow the air to circulate and the moisture from the reed to evaporate. The little paper cases that the Gonzales brand reeds come in are the best storage because it's very thick and won't warp. Look up the brand on amazon for picture examples. 2) Rinsing If you're rinsing the reed in water, you're putting extra moisture in the reed after you play it. You don't need to rinse the reed unless you drop it on the floor or something. The sanitizing instrument spray is the best thing to use to clean it if needed. The reed needs to be fairly dry when you put it away, so a quick wipe with a tissue or kleenex can take moisture out. 3) Keep the instrument clean! The instrument needs to be cleaned after every time you use it before you put it away. Without doing so, you're locking in moisture IN the case when you put it away without wiping out the condensation, making it more likely to mold, instrument AND reed alike. The case is designed for a tight, protective fit and can trap moisture inside. If your instrument is wood, yes, it needs moisture, but it should only come from a specialized device like a damp-it or climate controller (yes, you can buy one for your instrument, very expensive!) Your saliva has lots of germs that can thrive in moisture. 4) Filing You can file the black stuff (mold) off. Buy 400 grit sandpaper and file the reed going WITH the grain of the wood to remove some mold. You should be balancing the reeds at this point in your career--if you want to know how, feel free to send me a message. 5) Is your case clean? Dirty cases can be a great place for mold to thrive. Try a few of those things to see if it helps.
What do you use to clean under your fingernails if they are very dirty?
I usually scrub my nails on my palms with soap and water. However, if this isn’t working for you, I sometimes use a bobby pin to clean out my nails. You can clean them using a bobby pin first, then scrubbing with soap and water, and finishing by wiping under them with a napkin or a piece of toilet paper. After that, you should be good!Hope this helped!
Why do my fingernails get dirty so quickly?
I go through random phases when this happens to me, too! It's such a mystery! I have chalked it up to being sweatier than usual, or skin cell turnover being faster (or slower) than my default, or some other variable that's harder to isolate. The scientist in me wishes I could get an explanation, but barring that, I just treat the situation. It doesn't happen to me all the time, but when I've got that going on, manicure brushes at the sink and small metal files (like the kind on a Swiss army knife or small set of clippers) kept in your purse/backpack/pocket work wonders. Just never pick at your nails in front of people, and of course, don't bite your nails or attempt to clean them out with your teeth (((involuntary shudder)))!
Why do I always get dirt under my fingernails?
I get dirt under my nails too. Actually many times I don’t even think this is dirt, sometimes it’s just lint from the clothes I wear and if they are dark, the lint will look like dirt. In order to get rid of them, you can use a small brush and brush carefully under your nails. My nails aren’t so long but doing everyday stuff makes them dirty too. This is what I do. When my nails are dirty, I take a small brush that I use only for this purpose and I clean gently under my nails and also my nails and cuticles. You just take some soap and then brush your nails. It really doesn’t take long. My nails look like this:As you can see, I’m not afraid to show my free edge because I always use this method. Please be careful though, since excessive washing can cause Contact Dermatitis. I had it and believe me is more embarrassing than dirty nails around your friends.