Sanitize the microphone

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RobDawg

DJ Extraordinaire
Jan 21, 2019
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Assuming we get back to work soon I think it would be wise to figure out a way to sanitize or provide a clean microphone for our toasts and cerermonies. Any ideas? A bag of new foam windscreens that we toss after each speaker? Wipes, sprays? Wired mics on stands you take home, take apart and clean after the event?

Or just tell your guests to speak up and put the mic away?
 
Being completely self-centered here. For toasts, I setup a S55 on a stand. I do not re-use that mic myself. Not sure I'm overly concerned about trying to make it sanitary. It's the same with photobooth props. I frankly don't care that the same hat or wig or whatever has been re-used by guests. Perhaps a quick spray of lysol would be in order.............
 
Take a can of Lysel with you to every gig, and sit i down in plain sight. Spray the microphones down and wipe with clean cloth in plain sight. You might be known as DJ Germophobe, but others will appreciate your efforts!

Change wind screen after every event now along with batteries. Operating costs are heading north!
 
DO NOT SPRAY LYSOL ON A MICROPHONE.
The chemicals will do bad things to it.
That includes the foam windscreen.

What we do is use a disinfecting wipe on the metal screen of the ball.
(we don't use foam windscreens)
If you feel the need to clean it more...remove the ball and the mesh inside,
and clean it when it is not attached to the rest of the mic.
 

The liquid spray has this disclaimer:
"Safe and effective on all impermeable surfaces."
So it won't work on foam, and may not be good for delicate mic parts

The foam looks decent, and they do address the issues I brought up...
except for how it affects foam windscreens.

The wipes are pretty much the same as your basic Lysol wipes.
Always good to have control of where the chemicals go!
 
Unless singers are eating the mic, most issues for virus/bacteria transmission are on the external parts (handle, windscreeen), so wiping them down between uses should be fine. I don't use foam over the mic unless outside as it does affect frequencies. I'd worry about cleaning internally only if you have a spitter .. not so much for germs, but to kill off any chance of breeding mold/mildew.

I used to use some isopropyl alcohol pads to clean stuff .. they were larger than the little ones used for injection site cleaning .. can't remember the name. Not good for plastic parts as it will melt some types.

edit: pads were similar to these .. only issue is the isopropyl will also remove paint on things ..

 
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LOL... as if any toast giver has ever had the mic within 2 feet of their mouth...even though instructed the proper way to hold it...lolol... id say a nice wipe of the ball and shaft and your done... this also applies in other situations...for another forum

cc
 
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The windscreen is not likely to be the source of infection. It's going to be the mic body and all of the handling. There are already more germs on people's hands than you will ever find on the windscreen.

Beside's, there's no good way to sanitize what people actually SAY with a microphone which tends to be the bigger issue. :)
 
There's a lot of misinformation out there. Here's some info from John Hopkins -

"The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code (mutation) and converts them into aggressor and multiplier cells.

Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.

The virus is very fragile. The only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy.

The foam CUTS the FAT. That is why you have to rub so much, 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam. By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.

HEAT melts fat. This is why it is so good to use water above 25 degrees Celsius for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful.

Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.

Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaks it down from the inside.

Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin.

NO BACTERICIDE HELPS. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria. So, you cannot kill what is not alive with antibiotics. But antibiotics can quickly disintegrate the structure of the virus.

NEVER shake clothing, sheets or cloth.

While the virus is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates between 3 hours (fabric and porous).

It disintegrates in 4 hours on copper, because it is naturally antiseptic.

It disintegrates in 4 hours on and wood, because it removes all the moisture and does not let it peel off.

It disintegrates in 24 hours on cardboard, in 42 hours on metal, and in 72 hours on plastic.

But if you shake the virus off a surface, or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose.

The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as air conditioners in houses and cars.

They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness.

Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster.

UV LIGHT on any object that may contain the virus, breaks down the virus protein.

For example, disinfecting and reusing a mask is perfect.

Be careful, disinfecting also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin, eventually causing wrinkles and skin cancer.

The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.

Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.

NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, can help. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%.

LISTERINE HELPS IF it is 65% alcohol.

The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated the space, the less concentration of the virus.

This is super said, but you have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom.

You have to use a moisturizer to HUMIDIFY DRY HANDS from so much washing of them, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks.

The thicker the moisturizer, the better.

Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there."


A few more things -

1) Most commercial cleaning wipes have too low of an alcohol content - you might be better off making your own.
2) It is physically small - much smaller than bacteria. The weave pattern of those mic covers is probably too large to stop it.
 
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Ever notice how people trying to sound smart say stupid things that only make matters worse?

Like Doctors who say: "..the virus can't be killed." Followed by: .."any soap or detergent will work."

The laboratory differences between "killed" and "disintegrated" are not useful information if you want to improve public sanitary habits. Many people will only hear: " you can't kill it.." and the damage is done. Once they start talking about layers of fat and porous surfaces very few people are still listening.

Grab some bleach people - and KILL every surface in your house. :)
 
Ever notice how people trying to sound smart say stupid things that only make matters worse?

Like Doctors who say: "..the virus can't be killed." Followed by: .."any soap or detergent will work."

The laboratory differences between "killed" and "disintegrated" are not useful information if you want to improve public sanitary habits. Many people will only hear: " you can't kill it.." and the damage is done. Once they start talking about layers of fat and porous surfaces very few people are still listening.

Grab some bleach people - and KILL every surface in your house. :)
My understanding is the purpose of vigorous hand washing is to encapsulate germs in the froth and wash them down the drain..no? I don't care if the Corona virus is hanging out in my drain. I do care if it's on my hands.

My procedure since this whole thing has started is to keep a 'hot zone' by the door with my keys and wallet along with a pair of pants I put over the clothes I'm wearing and sweat jacket. When I get home the outer clothes come off and pockets are emptied on the table. I give my hands a good scrubbing. Gargle with some Listerine then wipe anything I came home with down with Lysol wipes before it's put away and wash my hands again.

At least I feel like a surgeon every time I wash my hands. :dancecool:
 
My understanding is the purpose of vigorous hand washing is to encapsulate germs in the froth and wash them down the drain..no? I don't care if the Corona virus is hanging out in my drain. I do care if it's on my hands.

My procedure since this whole thing has started is to keep a 'hot zone' by the door with my keys and wallet along with a pair of pants I put over the clothes I'm wearing and sweat jacket. When I get home the outer clothes come off and pockets are emptied on the table. I give my hands a good scrubbing. Gargle with some Listerine then wipe anything I came home with down with Lysol wipes before it's put away and wash my hands again.

At least I feel like a surgeon every time I wash my hands. :dancecool:
When you do get sick, it will be because you were sharing the same breathable air with someone who was sick or still contagious. That is the primary function of social distancing - which doesn't actually work in buildings or other spaces with poor air handling systems. The worst place to be is ride-sharing or car pooling because like an airplane it's a confined space often with recirculated air creating a cocktail of what's in everyone's moist breath. The next worst place to be is in an old gymnasium, sporting complex, or theater that has no modern air handling. We've all been there before - those crowded old buildings where the air turns to soup. It also describes the condition of most function rooms where we as DJs kept people dancing all night.

It's theoretically possible to get the flu from a door knob but the highest probability of that is in your own home where you spend countless hours sharing utensils, glassware and food containers. If you ride the subway It's a safe bet you got the flu from the air in the crowded space - not the handrails.
 
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