10/22/2020
While Covid has slowed down our Production and Venue Solution calls... our IT and remote worker, network security, and network/workgroup administration side has been super busy!!
All the same... we love and miss our performers and venues.
At this point we HIGHLY recommend that vocalists buy and bring their own microphones (we always have really)... it is the 2nd part of your instrument after all!!
When you have to use a Venue mic, or if you are a venue, A1, A2, stagehand, or engineer who is keeping their performers safe, Shure has been continuing to research how to CLEAN YOUR MICROPHONES... and we think it's great information to know, and essential to make sure these practices are being used or doing them yourself!
Question
How should I clean my microphone?
Answer
Shure has received many requests for recommendations on the best ways to clean and disinfect our products. Please note that Shure cannot provide advice regarding what disinfectant methods are effective against the Covid-19 virus; any such question should be directed to appropriate disease control experts. The article below relates solely to general information for cleaning methods for microphones.
As we seek to provide the best possible information, our evaluation of these various cleaning methods will be ongoing. Bookmark and check this site regularly for updates as new information becomes available. Please note that the observations below do not imply any guarantee against damage to the product, but are based on the best information we have at this time.
Update: September 29, 2020 (NEW! recommendations for cleaning ADX1M and TwinPlex products)
WIRED HANDHELD MICROPHONES (Shure SM58®, Beta® 58A, KSM8, etc.)
These techniques are specific to WIRED microphones with removeable grille/windscreens. See below for techiques to clean WIRELESS handheld microphones.
To start off, let’s focus on the “don’ts.” It takes longer to test various substances to determine whether they cause damage over time than it does to determine the things we definitely know should be avoided. So while we continue our testing, here are a few general things to keep in mind:
Do not use any cleaning products containing bleach (sodium hypochlorite) on Shure products.
Do not use hydrogen peroxide to clean wired microphones.
Do not use any abrasive cleaning tools on Shure products, such as a scrub brush or scouring pad.
Do not saturate products with any liquid while cleaning. Whenever possible, minimize the presence of liquid on products.
Do not use rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol) on clear plastic parts such as display bezels. If you accidentally do, please wipe off with a dry cloth immediately after application.
Avoid cleaning the microphone element itself, especially with condenser microphones. If you would like to clean the grille and/or windscreen, remove it from the microphone body and allow it to dry thoroughly before reattaching it to the microphone.
Do not use anything harsher than warm water on external foam windscreen. Isopropyl alcohol will cause color to leach from the windscreen.
Now, on to the "do's!"
Cleaning the handle:
Be sure to unplug the microphone before cleaning!
For now, leave the grille and windscreen on to protect the microphone element from accidental exposure to moisture and cleaning agents
Use a soft cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush to apply the cleaner.
Only use a minimal amount of cleaner - do not saturate the product.
We have tested the following cleaning agents:
Mild soapy water (such as liquid dish soap), which is then removed with a clean, damp cloth
Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes
Isopropyl alcohol NOTE: this may remove some of the paint from the handle and impact the aesthetics of the microphone. Though this should not affect the performance of the microphone, if this is important to you, test on an inconspicuous area first.
When cleaning, avoid getting any moisture on the microphone element itself. Do not apply cleaning agents to the microphone capsule directly. If possible, hold the microphone upright so that any excess liquid will flow away from the microphone element.
Avoid letting liquid pool in the XLR connector. If there is a slot near the bottom, block it with your finger or use tape to temporarily cover the opening. You can also push a paper towel or other absorbent material into the XLR connector to “catch” any excess liquid. Remove the absorbent material after cleaning to allow connector to air dry.
If the microphone has any switches or buttons, avoid this area while cleaning.
Allow the surface of the microphone to dry fully before use.
Cleaning the grille:
We recommend keeping an inventory of spares instead of cleaning the grille and windscreen whenever possible. If you have spares, there will always be a clean replacement ready to swap in while the other gets cleaned and dries out.
Carefully unscrew the grille from the microphone.
Remove the foam windscreen pop-filter inside the grille (note that the windscreen may be glued in place. If the pop filter does not come out with gentle pulling, we recommend cleaning the entire grille with the pop filter in place).
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, clean the grille with water or Isopropyl alcohol. If the internal pop filter is removeable, the grille can alternatively be cleaned with mild soapy water. Suds tend to collect in the windscreen, which may affect the performance of the microphone, so this method is not recommended for filters that cannot be separated from the grille.
Rinse the foam windscreen pop filter with water or Isopropyl alcohol only (NOTE: this applies only to removable foam windscreen pop filters inside the grille; see the next step for cleaning external windscreens.
Only warm water or hydrogen peroxide should be used to clean external foam windscreens. Since they tend to act like a sponge, soap or liquid detergents will be impossible to rinse fully. Isopropyl alcohol and Lysol disinfectant spray will cause color to leech from the windscreen. Clean replacements are the best solution!
Remove excess water from the grille and windscreen and allow them to dry fully before reinstalling on the microphone
Note: If the microphone output seems low or quieter than normal, it’s possible the microphone element got wet and hasn’t fully dried yet. Unplug the microphone and allow it to dry out completely before using.
WIRELESS HANDHELD MICROPHONES
As with wired microphones, there are a few things to AVOID:
DO NOT use bleach to clean wireless microphones.
DO NOT use Lysol spray on microphones with nickel finish .
DO NOT use hydrogen peroxide to clean wireless microphones.
DO NOT get liquid directly on the microphone element itself, especially with condenser microphones.
Cleaning the handle:
Be sure to power down the transmitter and remove the battery before cleaning.
Re-attach the battery cover onto the handle. This will help minimize the exposure of the battery contacts to cleaning agents and prevent corrosion.
For now, leave the grille and windscreen on to protect the microphone element from accidental exposure to moisture and cleaning agents.
Use only a soft cloth and a minimal amount of cleaner - do not saturate the product.
We have tested the following cleaning agents:
Mild soapy water (such as liquid dish soap), which is then removed with a clean, damp cloth.
Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes
Lysol® Disinfectant Spray NOTE: not recommended for nickel handhelds
Isopropyl alcohol NOTE: may remove some of the paint from the handle and impact the aesthetics of the microphone. Though this should not affect the performance of the microphone, if this is important to you, test on an inconspicuous area first.
When cleaning, avoid getting any moisture on the microphone element itself. Do not apply cleaning agents to the microphone capsule directly. If possible, hold the microphone upright so that any excess liquid will flow away from the microphone element.
Avoid the display bezel, as well as any buttons, switches, or seams while cleaning.
Once the cleaning of the external surface is complete, pat dry with soft cloth.
Unscrew the battery cover to remove and inspect the battery area for any damp spots, and pat dry. Set aside the sleeve to allow the battery compartment to dry fully.
Unscrew the wireless capsule from the handle to inspect for and dry any damp areas.
We do not recommend cleaning the inside of the battery compartment. In consideration of providing a clean microphone for others to use, consider washing hands or using gloves to access the battery compartment and insert batteries. Then wash hands before re-attaching the sleeve. This will result in a clean external surface for the talent.
Be sure to allow the surface of the microphone to dry fully before use.
To clean the grille, follow the steps above for wired handheld microphones.
WIRELESS BODYPACK TRANSMITTERS/RECEIVERS + LAVALIER/HEADWORN MICROPHONES
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION DOES NOT APPLY TO AXIENT DIGITAL MICRO BODYPACK TRANSMITTERS OR TWINPLEX LAVALIER MICROPHONES, WHICH HAVE SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS. SEE BELOW FOR MORE.
When cleaning bodypack transmitters and receivers, and lavalier microphones, there are two main considerations to keep in mind. Typically, most lavaliers risk potential damage from excess liquid ingress but can tolerate a variety of chemicals. Conversely, bodypacks are fairly resistant to liquid ingress, but can react poorly with certain chemicals. For this reason, you will see a shorter list of chemicals recommended for cleaning bodypacks than for lavaliers.
Cleaning Bodypacks:
Remove the lavalier mic, headset, or earphones and clean separately. Antennas should be left in place.
Be sure to power down the transmitter and remove the battery before cleaning.
Re-close the battery door. This will help minimize ingress of cleaning agents into the bodypack.
We have tested the following cleaning agents:
Mild soapy water (such as liquid dish soap), which is then removed with a clean, damp cloth.
Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes
Isopropyl Alcohol
Do not use abrasive cleaning tools as they can scratch the product. Instead use a clean cloth or soft bristled toothbrush. Use a minimal amount of cleaner - do not saturate the product.
Once the cleaning of the external surface is complete, pat dry with a soft cloth.
Open the battery door to inspect the battery area for any damp spots, and pat dry. Set aside, with the battery door open, and allow to dry fully.
We do not recommend cleaning the inside of the battery compartment. To help ensure a clean external surface, be sure to follow the guidance of appropriate health authorities regarding hand washing and/or personal protective equipment such as sterile gloves.
Cleaning Lavaliers/Headsets:
Leave any grilles or caps on the lavalier microphone. Remove any external windscreens that may be present.
We have tested the following cleaning agents:
Mild soapy water (such as liquid dish soap), which is then removed with a clean, damp cloth
Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes
Isopropyl Alcohol
Hydrogen Peroxide
Lysol® Disinfectant Spray
Use a minimal amount of cleaner - do not saturate the product. Apply cleaners with a clean cloth. When cleaning, avoid getting any moisture on the microphone element itself. Do not apply cleaning agents to the microphone capsule directly. For this reason, we highly recommend using a windscreen on the microphone that can easily be cleaned or, better yet, replaced.
For standard lavaliers: Hold the microphone upward toward the ceiling with the cable hanging down so that any excess liquid will flow away from the microphone element. Start just below the microphone element and move down the length of the cable as you apply the cleaning agent.
For headset microphones: To control the flow of liquid cleaners, clean headsets in sections. First wipe on the cleaner in the area between the microphone element and the headband. Wipe this section dry. Next move to the headband section, apply the cleaner, and dry in the same manner. Finally, wipe the length of the cable.
Rinse the removable external windscreen with warm water or hydrogen peroxide only. Since they tend to act like a sponge, avoid soap or liquid detergents as they will be impossible to rinse fully. Isopropyl alcohol and Lysol disinfectant spray will cause color to leech from the windscreen. Clean replacements are the best solution!
Remove excess water from the windscreen.
Allow both the windscreen and lavalier to dry separately and completely before using.
CLEANING THE SHURE ADX1M MICRO BODYPACK TRANSMITTER AND TWINPLEX MICROPHONES
Note: The following information only applies to the Shure ADXM1 Micro Bodypack Transmitters. For cleaning informationfor other Shure bodypacks, please see above.
Remove the lavalier mic or headset by unplugging it from the bodypack, and clean separately.
Be sure to power down the bodypack and remove the battery before cleaning.
Note that, unlike most bodypacks, there is no battery door. As such, there are some important differences for cleaning the battery compartment since it is exposed upon removal of the battery pack:
Use extra care when cleaning the battery compartment, using as little liquid solution as possible. To avoid potential damage to the battery contacts, we recommend air-drying as opposed to hand-drying. Therefore, some amount of additional drying time may be necessary.
Be extremely cautious when cleaning near the four spring-loaded battery contacts. It is best to avoid touching them entirely to prevent damage.
Water-based cleaning solutions may remove the “ink” on the label inside the battery compartment; and abrasive tools will exacerbate the problem. The cleaners recommended below have been found to have the least impact on the label ink. We highly recommend recording any critical information on the label before cleaning.
The following cleaning agents have been tested by Shure:
Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes
Isopropyl Alcohol
Do not use abrasive cleaning tools as they can scratch the product. Instead use a clean cloth with a minimal amount of cleaner - do not saturate the product.
After applying the cleaning agent to the external surfaces, pat dry with a soft cloth. Again, take care and avoid touching the battery contacts when drying the battery compartment as described above. Set the cleaned product aside and allow to dry fully before reinstalling a clean battery pack.
Separately clean the battery pack using the minimal amount of cleaner possible, and dry immediately, using caution around the battery contact area. Set the clean battery pack aside and allow to dry fully before reinstalling it into the bodypack. If possible, consider using a spare battery, or different batteries for different users, instead of repeated cleaning.
Note: The following information only applies to Shure TwinPlex Microphoness. For cleaning information for other Shure microphones, please see the recommendations above.
TwinPlex is designed for maximum sweat resistance, which not only provides superb durability during normal use, but helps with consideration to cleaning as well. Not only is TwinPlex resistant to most liquids but also stands up well to many common chemical cleaners. In the lab setting, we found it very difficult to damage this product. While we cannot evaluate all cleaners available on the market, the following common cleaners were tested with TwinPlex and showed no indication of adverse effects. Choose one that is convenient for you:
Mild soapy water (such as liquid dish soap)
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
Lysol Disinfectant Spray
Isopropyl alcohol
Hydrogen peroxide
Steps for cleaning TwinPlex:
Detach the microphone from the bodypack transmitter (or preamp if using it in a wired configuration).
Remove any clips or accessories and clean them separately.
Remove any external widescreens, if present. While TwinPlex itself is resistant to chemicals, dye in the windscreen can be leached or discolored in the presence of alcohols such as Isopropyl alcohol or ethanol. Instead, rinse the windscreen with hydrogen peroxide and set aside to dry separately.
While TwinPlex is very durable, you can help preserve the superhydrophobic coating by taking care when cleaning the microphone element. Unlike most microphones, you can clean the microphone element directly, but please leave one of the frequency caps that covers the mic ON while cleaning. Also, avoid the use of abrasive cleaning tools. Application using a soft cloth works best.
The easiest way to apply cleaning solution is to either:
Spray the cleaner onto the product with the cable wrapped into a coil, or
Apply the cleaner along the length of the microphone using a cloth, wipe, or sponge.
We do not recommend submerging the product in liquid.
Dry the microphone by wiping the length of the cable with a clean, dry cloth.
The microphone is ready to use immediately following cleaning.
For questions or further assistance with cleaning Shure products, please visit www.shure.com/contact .
DISCLAIMER: While Shure has attempted to replicate real-world conditions in its testing of the methods described herein, note that we cannot guarantee your specific product will not be impacted, or that long-term or frequent use of these cleaning methods will not have an impact.
Here are a few other general recommendations:
Be sure to disconnect the product from its power source when cleaning.
If your product has a removable battery, please remove it before cleaning your product.
Allow the product to dry fully before reconnecting it to its power source or reinserting the battery.
Metal surfaces on Shure products are generally painted or powder coated, making them resistant to alcohol and ammonia cleaning agents.
Printing and labeling on the product will degrade over time with consistent and repeated exposure to cleaning chemicals. Please avoid contact with printing or labels containing safety or operational information. If you accidentally do, please wipe off with a dry cloth immediately after application.
Check back soon for further guidance and best practices. For additional help, please visit www.shure.com/contact.
General Tips On Cleaning Microphones (these are from the previous version of this FAQ, therefore the information is not as current as what is presented above.)
Dynamic Microphones
The best way to clean a microphone is to remove the grille. Most vocal microphone grilles simply unscrew, e.g., SM58, Beta 58. If the grille doesn't slide off easily, gently rock it back and forth while pulling it away from the cartridge. Do not pull sharply or with excessive force, since that could damage the cartridge or separate it from the microphone housing. Once the grille is removed, it can be thoroughly cleaned without damaging the mic. Since most of the offensive material on the grille comes from the human body, plain water should be a sufficient cleanser. To remove lipstick and other material stuck in the grille, use a toothbrush with soft bristles. In some models, the foam windscreen can be removed from the grille, but this is usually not necessary since water will not damage the grille. Most Shure microphone grilles have a nickel finish that makes them resistant to rust, and replacing the foam windscreen can also be difficult and time-consuming.
The most important thing to remember is: let the grille dry completely before reattaching it to the microphone! Microphones don't like water, and although dynamic mics can withstand small amounts of moisture, a soggy foam windscreen will introduce more than is acceptable. Air drying is the best way to dry the grille, but a hair drier on a low-heat setting can be used. Care must be taken not to get too close to the grille as excessive heat can melt some windscreen material.
Cleaning must be done more carefully for microphones that do not have removable grilles , e.g., SM57, 545. Using a damp toothbrush, hold the microphone upside down and very gently scrub the grille. Holding the mic upside down will prevent excess moisture from leaking into the microphone cartridge. This technique is also useful for cleaning the foam that covers the diaphragm inside an SM58. Again, keep the mic upside down, and be very gentle.
In live situations with multiple acts, it may be desirable to clean the microphones between acts. Use a diluted solution of mouthwash (Listermint, Scope) with water. Using a toothbrush and holding the microphones upside down, scrub the grille of the microphone. At the very least, this technique will make the microphones smell more pleasant to the performer. Also make certain the sound system is turned off before the cleaning begins!
Condenser Microphones
Due to the more delicate nature of condenser microphones, never use water or any other liquid for cleaning purposes. Even a small amount of moisture may damage a condenser element. For microphones with removable grilles like the Beta 87 or KSM9, the grille and foam windscreen may be washed as described above. Again, the grille and windscreen must be completely dry before reattaching it to the microphone. To clean a microphone with a permanently attached grille like the SM81 or KSM 137, use a dry, soft bristle toothbrush and gently scrub the grille. Keep the microphone upside down so that loosened particles fall away from the it. Take care not to let stray bristles get caught in the grille. This technique also works well for lavaliers and miniature gooseneck mics.
For condenser microphones that will be subject to harsh conditions, such as vocals and theater applications, it is advisable to use a removable external foam windscreen. This will protect the microphone from saliva and make-up, and can be removed and cleaned with soap and water after the performance. Remember, never get water near a condenser element!
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