Gentlepersons, I recently acquired a set of older whistles that run the gamut from brass to nickel to painted tin. All are in need of a good cleaning inside and outside. What is the best way to do this without doing any damage to the whistle?
Except for wooden whistles you can clean them with a mild, warm soapy water solution. If they don’t have wooden fipple plugs (Clarke, Shaw) you can submerge them in the solution and leave them there for a while. Wipe the outsides with a cloth. A slotted rod with a bit of cloth through the slot will let you get inside. Rinse them well, and you’re ready to go.
A piece of textured plastic strapping is good for clearing the windway. Here in Ireland, the stiff plastic ribbon that holds together bundles of Bord na mona turf briquettes can be used. But I’ve also employed the strapping that secures boxes of photocopier paper. Do you know the stuff I’m talking about? It’s a great fit for my Harper whistles.
Seán in Tipperary
Thanks for the advice - much appreciated!