How does one de-mold a moldy flute

[ziman]

Hi all,

Due to an unfortunate purchase from a certain unscrupulous vendor which I will speak no more about, I have a moldy xiao on my hands.

After testing (with the help of a little rubbing alcohol to clear the blowing hole area... ) I found that this xiao, although moldy, is actually playable, though of course the tone is far less nice than my DXH. It is also more compact than my usual workhorse DXH, as it dismantles into three sections.

So, I am planning to use this xiao as my "rough-n'-ready" flute to use on the go, in situations where I would not risk taking out my DXH (e.g. when backpacking, or in inclement weather).

Before I can do that, I must de-mold the whole flute first. Anyone have ideas on how I might do that?

[edcat7]

You're fortunate that you can dismantle your xiao. I had a moldy one piece dizi that I returned to the vendor. I gritted my teeth and paid the postage, ( I found out it is alot dearer sending out of the UK than abroad coming in.) Apparently they had run out of stock of two piece dizis.

I wouldn't use it untill you're cleared the mold. My sister, a pharmacist showed me an article about breathing in the spores of the mold. It causes respiratory problems which can take a while to cure.

I would soak a rag in hydrogen peroxide (easily obtainable from pharmacists) and stick it down your xiao using a cleaning rod. This should do the trick.

[davidmdahl]

I checked back through my wooden flute archives, and found some advice from the Baroque flute player and maker Philippe Allain-Dupre:
>>
When the mold is too developped, mainly in the headjoint and in the foot socket, I use Undecylenic acid which is a natural fungicide, which you can get easily at the drugstore
Pour it on the dark zone and brush it.
You can use a brush with a long tail which is normally intended to wash the inside of bottles . then rinse below tap, because undecylenic acid is a a bit smelly. let it dry.
After one day or two, oil it again with a thin oil, almond oil or grape seed oil.
<<
You also might consider the following article:

www.recorderhomepage.net/disinfect_en.pdf

Best wishes,

David