I followed the JP Allen cleaning suggestions for my Lee Oskar (plastic comb).
Soaked it in peroxide for 10 minutes, rinsed with mineral water, tapped the excess out and let it dry for a few hours in a vertical position..
Worked great for me
Ciao
Stefano
Mineral water is the LAST thing you want to use as it can leave chalky mineral deposits on metal and over time, albeit it would be an extreme rarity with a simple rinse, can actually destroy it! l! If by chance you have hard water, such as well water, (which is what mineral water is!) then a good option would be spring water if in doubt, but using mineral water to clean the reed plates, or anything for that matter, is an emphatic….. NO!
Just do a simple Google search with: will mineral water leave deposits on metal
Thanks for the info. It was just a quick rinse and I preferred mineral water to tap water because of chlorine and calcium.
Ciao
Stefano
I use distilled water to rinse my harmonicas.
You do NOT want to soak the reed plates in Hydrogen Peroxide! Hydrogen Peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent and can harm brass by causing rapid oxidation, tarnishing, and corrosion.
As long as you have a plastic comb alcohol is the best way to clean a harp. I dip mine for about 10 seconds and blow dry it. It is god to go in a minute or less. I clean my harps about once a month. This involves disassembling them and making sure the reed plates are straight and the reeds aligned. I find some build up where the face plates join the comb and that are cleaned if needed. it is amazing how much better they play when clean and warm. I d not like anything that involves soaking a harp i for a long period. Just not necessary.
Just a further note. Please remember to rinse. Whatever you clean your harmonica with needs to be rinsed off. Just drying is not ok. Tiny dehydrated particles will end up in your lungs unless you rinse well preferably in distilled water. Remember prevention is always better than cure so rinse your mouth before playing. Just drink water should be enough. Then cleaning your harmonica will be less necessary. Cleaning your harmonica is for your health as much as for the sound.
Excellent advice, @toogdog !!