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How to clean a microphone: keep your mics germ-free
Microphones can become germ motels if they're not looked after. Use our step-by-step guide to keep yours clean.
The outbreak of the Coronavirus – COVID-19 – has shone a light on the importance of good hygiene. It’s fair to say it has taken us all by surprise, and given us some harsh realities to consider. Hygiene and music don’t often go hand-in-hand, after all. Yet, our chosen interest – producing music – actually puts us at a fairly high risk of cross contamination.
Think about it; musicians are often in enclosed spaces with others, we share instruments and equipment, and the actual act of playing an instrument is fundamentally tactile. So, it makes sense for us to offer some advice on how to ensure the risks are low when it comes to performing, recording or enjoying music in any form.
One of the highest risk areas comes in the form of microphones. No piece of equipment is shared more between other people. In studios, at venues, in rehearsal rooms, even in your home studio – the humble microphone is that most communal piece of music gear. Yet due to the way it’s used, and its proximity to hands and mouths, it could potentially be one of the most dangerous.
We’ve put together this guide to help you clean your microphones. Aside from hygiene, it makes good sense for you to clean your mic frequently regardless of health concerns. It’s not uncommon to find saliva, lipstick, even bits of food lodged in the grille of your vocal mics, plus a microphone free of dust stands the best chance of giving you the recorded sounds you’re looking for.
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Which microphones can be cleaned?
Before anyone rushes off to the cupboard to get the bleach, it’s important to understand the differences between microphones. Dynamic mics are much more robust than condenser mics, making them ideally suited to live performance and the stresses that come with that.
Condensers, on the other hand, are much more fragile and require special attention when it comes to cleaning. Ribbon and valve mics are even more so, and we’d advise checking with the manufacturer before you start attacking it with a spare toothbrush.
For dynamic microphones, you can usually remove or unscrew the grille. If so, this makes life a lot easier. The grille is that layer of protection between the magic going on inside and the grime-filled outside world, so if you can remove the grille you will be able to use a basic solution of water and mild detergent to clean it. A toothbrush will help when it comes to cleaning in between the gaps. If the front grille cannot be removed, or if you’re using a condenser microphone, the best advice is to avoid water or any form of liquid. Microphones are delicate things and they most definitely do not like water. Again, a toothbrush will aid you in removing any dried scum, but make sure to hold the mic upside down so any dislodged particles fall to the floor, rather than back inside.
As well as the usual household items, there are some great tools designed to improve hygiene in microphones. Let’s take a look.
Tools and products you might need
Elacin Hygiene Kit While aimed at earplug and earphone users, the Elacin Hygiene Kit is perfect for cleaning microphones. It comes with two bottles of cleaning spray and a collection of small brushes capable of getting into the tight areas of a mic grille. Buy the Elacin Hygiene Kit
Microphome A specialist mic cleaning product, Microphome antimicrobial cleaning fluid goes into the mic as a foam that clings to the grille. This keeps it away from the electronics and dissipates quickly. Buy the Microphome Microphone Sanitizer kit
Pop Filter More a preventative measure than something that will clean the microphone, but it’s well worth investing in a pop filter if the mic’s primary function is recording vocals. There are plenty of inexpensive options available, and they do a great job of reducing plosives and sibilance in your recording too. Explore Amazon’s pop filter range
Mic cover Similar to the pop filter, a basic foam microphone cover will serve as a barrier between saliva and other moistures and ensure they don’t reach the parts of the mic you need to keep dry. Shop Amazon’s microphone cover selection
How to clean a dynamic microphone
Dynamic microphones are arguably the easiest to clean. The majority come with a grille which can be unscrewed or gently pulled apart from the body.
Step 1. Unscrew or remove the grille from the microphone, being careful not to damage the cartridge.
Step 2. With the grille removed, set the mic body to one side. Using a solution of plain, lukewarm water and mild detergent – dishwashing liquid is fine – wipe the grille to remove the surface layer of grime.
Step 3. Using a toothbrush, gently rub the grille, taking care to get into all the corners and cavities. The combination of the detergent and the toothbrush will ensure any caked-on residue is removed. You can also use a gentle disinfectant to kill off any nasty bugs or microbes which are still hanging around.
Step 4. Allow the now-clean grille to dry naturally. Be patient here; even a drop of water could kill your precious mic if it gets inside. While that’s drying, use a disinfectant household wipe to clean the body of the mic, being careful not to tough the electronics inside.
Step 5. When the grille and body are completely dry, reattach both together.
How to clean a condenser microphone
Cleaning a condenser is an altogether trickier task, on account of the fact few have detachable grilles, and all of them are considerably more fragile electronically. So, the key to cleaning a condenser mic is to take care. Using a dry, soft toothbrush gently scrub the grille. Keep the mic facing downwards to ensure loosened particles fall away from the grille. Be mindful or pushing dirt or grime through the grille and into the chamber. As with a dynamic, you can employ a disinfectant wipe to clean the body.
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==Advice from dpamicrophones.com==
Keep your mic clean and fresh
A microphone is used in many ways and often changes hands regularly. Some mics are mounted in the ceiling or on an instrument but most often, mics are held in hand or mounted on the body. In these cases spit, sweat and skin leave traces on the microphone and cables. So how can you keep your microphones clean?
Below are some guidelines that you can follow to keep your microphones in great working order and make sure they are hygienic for users. Remember, the most effective way to keep everyone around you healthy and happy is to practice good hand hygiene.
Please note: there is a difference between cleaning and disinfecting mics. Cleaning mics involves physically removing dirt and germs from the mic with soap and water. Disinfecting mics means killing germs with a proper chemical agent like an isopropyl alcohol and water solution* (on surfaces only). To ensure that your mics are clean and germ free, you should first clean them and then disinfect them when appropriate.
* Pure isopropyl alcohol evaporates too quickly on surfaces to kill germs. By adding 20% water, its disinfectant properties will be extended for enough time to work properly.
Miniature & subminiature lavaliers and headsets
To clean these microphones, rinse them in demineralized water, and wipe them gently with a damp cloth. We have created short instructions on how to clean DPA Miniature, Subminiature, 4099 Instrument and Headset Microphones. These instructions work for both our omnidirectional and directional mics. To clean these mics properly, all grids, caps and foam windscreens should be removed. This allows for a proper rinse and for the water to evaporate fully when drying out. No cleaning fluids should be used - you will only need demineralized water.
Afterwards, leave the microphones to dry for 72 hours before reuse. Some germs die at high temperatures and it is possible to leave the mics in the oven at 60°C (140° F) for an hour (please note, this will age the microphone slightly).
Please note that the video below was made a few years ago. Since then, we have done more thorough testing and have discovered that the cleaning guidelines work for both our omnidirectional and directional mics. Despite the title and text, this video shows how you can clean ALL of your DPA Miniature, Subminiature, Headset and 4099 Instrument Microphones. We are planning to remake the video in the future to avoid any confusion.
To disinfect miniature and subminiature lavaliers and headset microphones, use a cloth moistened sparingly with an isopropyl alcohol and water solution* to wipe them down on their surface. This also applies to headsets, clips, booms, grids and adapters.
* Pure isopropyl alcohol evaporates too quickly on surfaces to kill germs. By adding 20% water, its disinfectant properties will be extended for enough time to work properly.
Handheld and pencil microphones
To clean these microphones, remove the grid if possible and clean it with lukewarm water and soap. After drying, replace it on the capsule. Wipe down the surface of the rest of the mic with a cloth moistened with water and soap.
Afterwards, leave the microphones to dry for 72 hours before reuse. Some germs die at high temperatures and it is possible to leave the mics in the oven at 60°C (140° F) for an hour
please note,
this will age the microphone slightly
and
please check with other microphone manufacturers first
To disinfect handheld and pencil microphones, wipe down their surface with a cloth moistened sparingly with an isopropyl alcohol and water solution*. Make sure that no isopropyl alcohol comes into contact with the microphone membrane.
* Pure isopropyl alcohol evaporates too quickly on surfaces to kill germs. By adding 20% water, its disinfectant properties will be extended for enough time to work properly.
Cables
To clean cables, rub them gently with olive or coconut oil. This will remove residue like paint or sweat and will leave the cable hygienic and fit for use. Alternatively, wipe them with lukewarm water and soap. Do not splash soapy water into connectors or microphones. Afterwards, leave them to dry on their own for at least 72 hours – this will allow time for any germs to die.
Unfortunately, cables cannot be disinfected with isopropyl alcohol or other harsh chemicals, as this will make the cable jacket brittle over time. We recommend being very thorough when cleaning cables to remove as many germs as possible.
UV-C light is also known to kill germs. With a wavelength of 185-254 nm, UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) kills or inactivates microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions. The performance and condition of our cables will not be affected by a UV-C treatment. Please note that UVGI disinfection depends on line-of-sight, so make sure to expose as much cable to the light as possible and repeat treatment if necessary. Observe instructions for use for your equipment and protect yourself from the harmful radiation.
Foam windscreens
To clean foam windscreens, both large and small, remove them from the mics and wash them gently with warm water and soap. Leave them to dry on their own for at least 72 hours – this will allow time for any germs to die.
Unfortunately, foam windscreens cannot be disinfected with isopropyl alcohol or other harsh chemicals. We recommend being very thorough when cleaning windscreens to remove as many germs as possible and leave them to dry for 72 hours. This will allow time for any germs to die.
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