I now have a second harmonica website that deals (in a very non-expert way) with such topics as tweaking, cleaning, hygiene, lip care and more. http://harmonicapics.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk
Cheers!
Steve
I may not play the Harmonica myself, but I had a good few giggles reading the site. Thanks Steve for a great resource! Always helpful for newbies to not fall into the same problems you have had.
I thought a neck callous from playing fiddle was bad, till I read about the dangers of playing a dirty Harmonica!
I know that cleaning instruments isn’t the most gripping topic in the world, but anyone who plays (or, even more important, inherits) harmonicas should at least have an inkling as to what to do. Here’s a very useful reference, written by a real expert:
http://www.angelfire.com/music/HarpOn/maintclean.html#sanitisingdiatonics Scroll up the page for chromatics, which are especially tricky to clean, but “G” tells you how. Though one piece of his advice I routinely ignore is: ~Avoid beverages while playing other than water.~ You gotta be joking, pal - we get free beer! 
BTW that new site of mine (harmonicapics) now has some little pics of north Cornwall and of me and family.
Cheers
Steve
I may very well have to come and visit when the weather warms up a tad, Steve! It’s been a very long time since my college days at Porthcurno!
Beth and I are keen to join a Southern UK gathering too, guys, sometime in 2005. Being car-less, somewhere near a main line rail station, or maybe a National Express coach drop off point, would be appreciated, unless we can cadge a lift from someone kind.
Harmonica, whistle, concertina & fiddle, we have the makings of a band! All we need is a little more talent in the Thames Valley. 