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Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
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Author:  johnreynolds [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 6:50 am ]
Post subject:  Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
With the recent outbreak of Influenza in almost every state here in the U.S., i started a few weeks ago to clean my microphones after every 2-3 songs and recently AFTER EVERY SONG, since we get a lot of mainlanders on the island (hawaii) from New York and California who all seem to have various coughs. We also get out share of tourists worldwide but they don't seem to exhibit the obvious symptoms our east & west coast friends do. (coughing, runny nose, sweating, complaining of headaches, earaches, stuffed-up noses) i notice during or after they've already sung :shock:

I have a large sign that reads "PLEASE DO NOT Sign Up to Sing Karaoke IF You HAVE A COLD OR THE FLU, or have been SICK RECENTLY. Thank You. Staff & Management" but i don't really think it stops the young 21-30-year-olds from singing anyways. :(

I've been using "Alcohol Wipes" ( purchased from restaurant) lately after running out of "Personal Wipes" (pretty expensive) on my Shure Wireless SM58's, but my hands are drying out!

Btw, I replace the microphone tops/screens every 3-4 months and the plastic handles on the mics every 6 months or after a few droppages that crack the base of the mic. I don't clean the screens as often as i should (weekly)- more like every 2-3 weeks. I DO, however, spray the mics at the end of every show with Lysol spray and then wipe it off with a terry cloth before putting them away.

Question(s) being, What DO you use (product) to clean your mics DURING your show?

Wipes? (lysol, clorox, personal hygeine, alcohol wipes, other...)

Spray? (lysol, germ killer/deodorizer, other...)

WHAT product do you think could be purchased in bulk and wouldn't cost a fortune that could used to clean the mics after every singer?

More than a few of my regular singers want and think i should clean the mics every song just to be safe. Certainly it won't stop the flu or a cold, but it may help cut it down some.
I've also been wiping the mic stand and giving fist bumps instead of handshakes lately.

Help! My hands are cracking! :)

Thanks for your input! :) -John
Author:  chrisavis [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
I have a can of Lysol (White Linen Scent) within reach of singers and encourage them to give the mics a squirt before and after every song.

-Chris
Author:  johnny reverb [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 8:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
The best defense is for singers to wash or sanitize "their" hands before & after. We seem to be up in arms, but I would guess karaoke isn't responsible for spreading much, if any of these microbes, especially from a microphone. A cough or sneeze can send viruses many feet, books, computer keys, tables, glasses, cups, chairs, door knobs, hand shakes, hugs & kisses.......viruses can live on surfaces for 24 hours or more. Experts say hand washing can reduce your chances of getting the flu by over 50 %.
I've noticed that American doctors, are prescribing, very little, if any antibiotics(especially for the first, two or three weeks). People don't die from the flu, they die from complications of the flu, which usually weakens the system, and allows a secondary, bacterial infection to set in, especially bacterial pneumonia. In many countries, you "can" get antibiotics over-the-counter, and if you can't, I'd bet doctors aren't under the pressure of the AMA to perscribe less antibiotics. That last paragraph is just my theory as to why out- of- country tourists seem less symtomatic, but I think singers, and not the KJ, have the largest & surest role, in preventing themselves & others, form being infected.
Author:  mrmarog [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
For 2 years now I have been using these wipes (WET ONES) after ever singer, and it has made a big reduction in the number of sick singers. Since I do it 100% of the time on the entire mic, the transfer of germs from one singer to another has to be dramatically lessened.

As can see I have it velcroed to the stand within singers reach.

Attachments:
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Author:  TroyVnd27 [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
That's what my spitters are for - to rinse the germs off the mic with their saliva.

Ha ha KIDDING!
Author:  mckyj57 [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
Baby wipes do a fair job. There is a brand available called "Pure-N-Gentle" which is very low cost -- 140 for about $2.00 at WalMart.
Author:  BruceFan4Life [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
Those foam wind screens are the biggest germ collectors out there. I hate them. They are called wind screens for a reason.
Author:  Brian A [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
chrisavis wrote:
I have a can of Lysol (White Linen Scent) within reach of singers and encourage them to give the mics a squirt before and after every song.

-Chris

Ohhhh No, Chris. Do not spray any liquid on microphone or the mic head. Spray on a soft cloth to wipe the microphone. I use Windex Anti-Bacterial Spray kills 99.9% bacteria supposedly (yellow plastic bottle, not Blue). Used to be in one corner for singers to spray the mic, until the mic stopped working. Now, I have a black towel hanging on the tv monitor stand, I spray windex onto the towel every 20 min, change towels every hour, they do wiping. :)
Author:  Kuelman1 [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
I use Clorox wipes that I buy from Sam's club bulk pack of 4 containers 78 per for 11.98.
I wipe the mics down after every show before I put them away. And lately have been leaving a container out for anyone to use between singers. I also wipe off my books before every show. As for myself I have my own mic that no one else can use but me. We can't prevent every germ from spreading but I try to keep things clean.
Author:  johnny reverb [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 1:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
A recent, large study showed that as far as washing their hands after using a public rest room........women, only 26% did, and men, only 17% did........pretty sure my memory is close on the figures......the closer contact we have with family & friends in the winter months, is still credited for the upswing in colds & flus every year.....closer, longer, & more intimate contact. If, and that's a big if, you can keep someone from getting a bug at your gig.....you probably only bought them a day or so.... :lol: .......now if the flu shot really worked as well as they claim it does.......that would be the ticket.... :)
Author:  harpman [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 2:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
I use the clorox or lysol wipes on my mics before every show and have them on hand if anyone cares to use them during the show. If someone is singing that obviously is sick, I'll wipe that mic after they finish their song. I also wipe them if they cough into the mic.
Author:  Paradigm Karaoke [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 2:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
i use this stuff constantly. they sell it for instrument mouthpieces. works great, sanitizes everything, and smells minty fresh :mrgreen:
Author:  Bazza [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
The reality is that you can sanitize your mics every 3 minutes and all it takes is one cough or sneeze in the room from an infected person to make it all pointless. If someone has true influenza, you can't realistically sanitize the air and every surface in the bar they have touched on the way to the stage.

While noble, mic sanitation is more for good PR than actual disease prevention. I have an infectious disease Dr. in the immediate family. Want to be completely germ freaked out? Come hear the stories at our holiday dinners. You won't want to leave your house. :lol:
Author:  chrisavis [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
Brian A wrote:
chrisavis wrote:
I have a can of Lysol (White Linen Scent) within reach of singers and encourage them to give the mics a squirt before and after every song.

-Chris

Ohhhh No, Chris. Do not spray any liquid on microphone or the mic head. Spray on a soft cloth to wipe the microphone. I use Windex Anti-Bacterial Spray kills 99.9% bacteria supposedly (yellow plastic bottle, not Blue). Used to be in one corner for singers to spray the mic, until the mic stopped working. Now, I have a black towel hanging on the tv monitor stand, I spray windex onto the towel every 20 min, change towels every hour, they do wiping. :)


I know a couple of veteran KJ's that have been spraying directly on the mic for 20+ years. That is where I picked up the practice from.

However, I like your idea better. I will pick up some micro-fiber towels for this weekend and start training my folks to go this route.

Thanks!

-Chris
Author:  ripman8 [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
I keep a good supply of free flu shots on hand!! Customers think I care.
Author:  Paradigm Karaoke [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
:oops: forgot to add the link....
http://www.rochethomas.com/p-143-mi-t-mist-32oz.aspx
Author:  johnreynolds [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 5:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
Thanks for the replies guys :)

I ended up getting 12 containers of Germ-X soft wipes from walmart. 40 wipes that kill 99% of germs and are alcohol-free.

$2.18 a container of 40 wipes versus 35 wipes of Wet Ones at the same price.

Used them last night and they're pretty good and not flimsy. Not too soaking wet either. Pop-up container that is recloseable.

I checked out the "Gentle Touch" baby wipes mckyj57 mentioned (great price for a ton of wipes), but alas, they are not anti-bacterial and don't say they kill any type of germs. Thanks for the suggestion though Mickey. :) (btw they have been rebranded another name in case you buy more).

I had thought of using the clorox wipes we get from costco but clorox seems a bit harsh on the hands and maybe will discolor the mics eventually...? plus the containers are huge.

I still use the lysol spray (white linen like Chris has) also from costco to mist spray the mics at the end of the night (mic stand too) then wipe with a terry cloth. Used to spray the books too, but lysol clouds up the clear plastic on the front of the binder after awhile.

Just wanted to give an update and give props to you guys. Thanks! :) -john reynolds
Author:  twansenne [ Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
Well I am a little late, but IMHO, alcohol wipes are the only way to go.

Why? Read on....

My wife has environmental allergies, and a nose like a bloodhound. Perfume smells make her break out into sneezing fits. So any type of "scented" wipes would be out.

Just something to think about
Author:  johnny reverb [ Thu Jan 24, 2013 6:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
What's to think about........I wouldn't expect your wife to come to my show(if I still had one)..... :P .....it's nice to see you on the site, Tony...... :)
Author:  JoeChartreuse [ Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mic Cleaning: What Do You Use and How Often?
I'm an alcohol wipe user, for the mic itself, and use wind screens sprayed with lysol- which, of course, have to be changed after every show. Don't want strange spit inside my mics.

For anyone using germicidal sprays on naked mics, please note that they can dry out diaphrams.
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