Wondering how to clean a microphone? If so, look no further, you’ve come to the right place. Maybe you have a collection of microphones that need deep cleaning, or perhaps this is your first microphone that you own.
Microphones become a breeding ground for germs and bacteria when used without cleaning them. It is vital to keep your microphone hygienic, especially if used regularly.
In this article, you will learn how to clean, sterilize, and sanitize your microphone. Follow this guideline to keep your microphone clean, in good working condition, and comfortable for all users.
Why Should I Clean My Microphone?
But before we get to the nitty-gritty of cleaning your microphone, it is crucial to know why cleaning your microphone is to your advantage, and failure to clean it is only to your disadvantage. I hope to encourage you to take action regularly when it comes to cleaning your microphone.
Listed below are some of the reasons why you should clean your microphone frequently.
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For Hygienic Purposes
Surprisingly enough, many people don’t know how unhealthy and unhygienic it is to use microphones for an extended period without cleaning them. I’m sure you’ve witnessed microphones coming in contact with different people’s mouths, and possibly dropping on the ground out of excitement, yet not being wiped down once picked up. Regularly cleaning your microphone avoids illness and other health-related issues.
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To Avoid Build-Up
When you don’t clean your microphone, it can cause a buildup on the grill. Take a minute to check the grill of your microphone. If you haven’t cleaned your microphone in a while, you will see some buildup. Frequent cleaning of your microphone not only helps remove build-up for aesthetic and health purposes, but it also helps maintain the condition of your microphone. The high volume of build-up can degrade the receiving frequency of your microphone if not cleaned.
On the other hand, if you frequently clean your microphone, less time is consumed during cleanup
What Do I Need To Clean My Microphone?
These are the tools needed to clean your microphone to get the job done.
You’ll need the following to clean your microphone effectively:
- Mouthwash (Any brand will do)
- Toothbrush (Any brand will do)
- Kitchen roll
- Bowl
How Do I Clean My Microphone?
Here’s a step-by-step method on how you can clean your microphone. Trust me; it’s not a complicated process.
Now, let’s get down to business.
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Unscrew The Grill
First, you need to remove the grill from the body. If you are wondering how to do this, I’ve got you covered. Hold the microphone in your hand, then twist and unscrew until the grill comes off. Some microphones come with a delicate grill, so be careful while unscrewing the grill. If you are having difficulties unscrewing the grill, check out the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Remove The Foam Windscreen
Beneath the metal grill is a foam filter. The foam filter serves as a moisture absorber. When removing the foam windscreen, you might see more build-up. The buildup is from excess saliva entering the microphone. Sometimes, it may be tricky removing the foam windscreen. You just need a little patience and persistence to take it off. As mentioned before, if you have difficulties, check out the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Scrub The Metal Grill
After removing the foam filter from the metal grill, you will need to scrub all the debris from the metal grill. The best way to do this is with the use of a toothbrush and some mouthwash. I recommend mouthwash because it kills bacteria and removes excessive buildup without the use of harsh chemical products. First, you will need to put the metal grill in a bowl and fill it with mouthwash. Leave the metal grill in the mouthwash for about five minutes. After the metal grill has finished soaking in the mouthwash, scrub it with a toothbrush.
Tip: Use a soft toothbrush and scrub gently. Scrubbing the grill too roughly can cause the paint on the grill to peel.
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Rinse The Metal Grill
Now that you have soaked and cleaned your metal grill in a bowl filled with mouthwash, the next step is to rinse the grill in warm water. After you’ve thoroughly rinsed the metal grill, wipe the grill with kitchen roll to remove all moisture. Ensure the grill is completely dry before screwing it back on the microphone. To avoid rust on the metal grill, it’s crucial to remove all moisture.
The best way to do this is with the use of a toothbrush and some mouthwash
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Wash The Foam Windshield
After we’ve finished cleaning the metal grill, it’s now time to clean the foam windshield. Put the foam windshield in warm water, and add a capful of mouthwash. With your hands, gently wash the windshield foam. Once you’ve done that, remove the foam filter from the water and squeeze out the moisture. Like the metal grill, it is vital to ensure you dry the foam entirely before putting it back onto the microphone. You can leave it to air dry for a few hours or use a hairdryer if you need to use the microphone urgently.
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Reassemble Your Microphone
After the foam windscreen has fully dry, place the foam screen underneath the metal grill and screw the grill back onto the microphone. Be careful when attaching the parts back to ensure everything is properly screwed in.
And there you go, you’ve successfully cleaned your microphone.
The steps discussed above to clean your microphone are easy to carry out, cost-effective, and won’t take much of your time. However, the time spent cleaning your microphone depends on how clean or dirty your microphone is. If you haven’t cleaned your microphone for a long period, it will have absorbed so much excessive buildup that it will take you some time to clean it. On the other hand, if you frequently clean your microphone, less time is consumed during cleanup.
Important Tips
- You can maintain the cleanliness of your microphone daily by cleaning the grills with a surface wiper. Daily cleaning of the microphone grill with wipers will keep the grill germ-free, safe, and comfortable to use for all users. There is also no need to disassemble the grill every time you clean it.
- Weekly, you can remove and sanitize the windscreens. Since the foam filter absorbs excess saliva, regularly cleaning it will help minimize build-up and also any bad odor emitted from the microphone. Wash the foam filter with warm water and soap, and then sanitize it with alcohol to keep it sterile.
- Do not disinfect the foam windscreens with harsh chemicals.
- Use isopropyl alcohol as a disinfectant to kill germs and bacteria on the microphone body.
- Sometimes it is better to switch the foam windscreen for each person; the foam windscreen can easily be added or removed.
- Provide a different microphone grill for each person who uses the microphone. Though it is more expensive than foam windscreens, grills are much easier to change than windscreens.
- Ensure the microphone is facing downwards to ensure the unscrewed part comes off the metal grill when cleaning.
Put the microphone against your mouth, and inhale for a few seconds. If you breathe in fresh and cool air, it means you’ve done a job well done
- Test the results of your hard work. Put the microphone against your mouth, and inhale for a few seconds. If you breathe in fresh and cool air, it means you’ve done a job well done.
Conclusion
Let’s face it; after hours of use, microphones are filled with germs, saliva, and other bodily fluids. It is bad enough when the same person regularly uses the microphone, but it is even worse when the microphone is used by many different people. So, it is necessary to keep your microphone as hygienic as possible. Keeping a clean microphone is essential for the health and safety of anyone who uses the microphone.
Since a microphone is usually placed for handheld vocals, that means that it is often quite close or even touches the speaker’s face or lips. Spit, mucus, and other bodily fluids can easily be transferred from the speaker’s mouth to the microphone grill and foam filter. Regularly cleaning the microphone’s body is also crucial since it is continuously being exchanged from hand to hand. It is essential to clean and disinfect the microphone body after each use.
The bottom line is this: You must always keep your microphone clean to avoid germs, bacteria, and to make sure all users are comfortable while using it. So, remember to keep things as hygienic as possible and take the next step by following this guide. Trust me. You’ll be glad you did. I hope this article helps you when it comes to cleaning your microphone.
Happy cleaning, and let me know if you have questions or contributions. Drop them in the comments, and feel free to share this article with your friends.
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