Reviews

If you regularly play your saxophone, then you need to know how to properly clean your mouthpiece to avoid bacteria build-up.

Cleaning your mouthpiece is easy once you get the hang of the process. But with many tips and tricks out there, it's essential to avoid any shortcuts that may damage your mouthpiece.

I've made it easy with this guide on how to clean your saxophone mouthpiece properly.

First, make sure you've got the proper materials for deep cleaning your mouthpiece:

• Small swabs or towels that can pass through the mouthpiece
• Small toothbrush or bottle brush to clean the inside of the mouthpiece 
• White vinegar
• Germicide such as Sterisol
• Soap and water

Over time you will notice a white build-up of bacteria forms in your mouthpiece. Saliva collects in the mouthpiece and forms limescale, which affects the sound of your saxophone. Too much limescale can make the mouthpiece difficult to remove. 

Treat your mouthpiece with vinegar to get rid of limescale. Soak a swab or small towel in white vinegar and place it inside your mouthpiece. Allow it to sit for ten minutes to soften the limescale, then remove the swab.

Wash off the vinegar from your mouthpiece with soap and water. Avoid using hot water and harsh soaps or cleaning detergents, as these may damage your mouthpiece. Mild soap and lukewarm water will be enough to remove the vinegar and wash off bacteria and softened limescale.

Use a toothbrush or specialty bottlebrush to gently brush away any remaining bacteria build-up from your mouthpiece. Be careful not to brush too roughly, as it can damage parts of your mouthpiece such as the tip, baffle, or side rails.

After cleaning your mouthpiece:

1. Eliminate any leftover bacteria with a germicide like Sterisol.
2. Soak the mouthpiece for 15 minutes and rinse with cold water afterward.
3. Set the mouthpiece aside to air dry completely before storing it in your case.

It's a good idea to dry your mouthpiece with a swab after every use before storing it in your saxophone case. If you regularly play your saxophone, give your mouthpiece a deep clean once a week to avoid limescale build-up.

Experience improved consistency, playability, and performance with the saxophone mouthpieces from Westcoast Sax. Our specialty mouthpieces are designed with quality, consistency, and performance in mind to elevate your sound. Browse our shop for saxophone mouthpieces and accessories, or contact us with any questions!