Really cleaning a Poly Oc (or any MO for that matter).

[FredDooolie]

In my job I'm forced to touch and shake hands with some really nasty people. I sometimes play my Poly G to entertain the babies and little kids. I realize that I must be transferring all kinds of bubonic plague and ebola and AIDS and stuff onto My Precious and near/into my mouth!

So far when I get home I've been slathering it with antibacterial hand soap and warm water. I figure they won't hurt it but how far can I go? I assume alcohol would eat the plastic.

The question then (and an idea for another "Tough as nails MO" video) is what kind of cleaning can the various ocs take? Dish soap and hand soap, sure but:
Dishwasher?
Alcohol?
Acetone -- Yeah, right! I always wanted a sticky glob of poly plastic goop! I'll let Karl try that one!
Purell Hand Cleaner? - Contains alcohol.

How much substance abuse can a poly/warmstone/wood MO take?
Pretend you dropped it in a nasty toilet and just had to have it back.


 

[ubizmo]

Isopropyl alcohol is safe for use on polycarbonate.  Acetone and similar solvents definitely aren't.  Acetic acid (vinegar) is also safe, but you'd need to spend a good amount of time rinsing out the smell.  But really, warm soapy water should be fine.

Ubizmo

[FredDooolie]

Now that I think of it peroxide should be safe too. That's a good cleaner. I use it for stuff around the house including my teeth/gargling. Cheaper, safer and smells better than bleach.

 

[1eeyore1]

A couple of ideas for deep cleaning a poly-Ocarina: 

1. A White Vinegar solution for easy cleaning that kills germs is as follows: 1-part white vinegar to 3-parts water, completely submerge the Ocarina in this solution for 30-minutes, then remove, shake out as much solution as possible, then rinse well with water, and allow time to dry (White Vinegar leaves no residue; and for the water, Distilled is best for the solution and the rinse(s) afterward. There are no minerals in Distilled Water to remain in the Ocarina.)

2. If you really did drop the Ocarina in the toilet, then I would suggest going to your local drug store and check with the pharmacist for a Control-3 Disinfectant. Follow the directions on the bottle. (do not use this if past the expiration date on the bottle!) Again, allow time for the Ocarina to dry thoroughly.

[Spatolo]

Interesting. But I wonder if being immersed in some vinegar for 30 minutes could somehow weaken the glue.

[1eeyore1]

A little research goes a long way...
--Cliff wrote:
 How to clean your Mountain Ocarina
in the Mountain Ocarinas Forum: "Questions and Answer"
« on: July 22, 2010, 05:49:48 PM »

Thanks Cliff, I didn't know that the glue used in production of Mountain Ocarinas was water soluble.
[Note to Production: Considering the Life-time warranty, don't you think that a water-proof glue might help make your Ocarinas more indestructible?]

Retracting my suggestion: DO NOT USE VINEGAR/WATER SOLUTION FOR 30-MINUTES

However, the Control 3 disinfectant can be used as a wipe on and let dry for complete surface cleaning.
But, for the "dropped in toilet" senario, it would be a good idea to call Mountain Ocarinas first before trying the 10 minute submersion process with the Control 3 disinfectant (approx. 1-tablespoon Control 3 added to 1-gallon water.)

[Cliff]

1eeyore1,

The glues used are not water soluble... however even some non-water soluble glues can be weakened with prolonged exposure to water. It very well may not compromise the glue to soak for 30 minutes... but it is difficult to say for sure. no worries.

--Cliff

[Namu]

In my job I'm forced to touch and shake hands with some really nasty people. I sometimes play my Poly G to entertain the babies and little kids. I realize that I must be transferring all kinds of bubonic plague and ebola and AIDS and stuff onto My Precious and near/into my mouth!

I realize that you were trying to be funny with your expectations of what terrible things you might be transferring to you oc, but AIDS (more specifically HIV) can NOT be transmitted through hand shaking. Remember that those "nasty" people are still people too. Show them some basic compassion.

This just seems plainly obvious to me, but instead of worrying about how to disinfect your oc, why don't you just wash your hands or use an alcohol based sanitizer before you play so you're not contacting your Precious with as many microorganisms? It's just basic universal precautions and no one has to test the durability of the glue in vinegar baths.

Although for some infectious materials, the hand sanitizer doesn't work so handwashing might be preferable.