Every part of the drum requires special care on a regular basis, especially the drum head. It is typically a synthetic membrane that acts as the upper layer of the drum. When a drummer hits it with hands or stitches, it produces sound. The sound quality and drum’s durability will not stay the same if you don’t keep it clean. Follow the suggestions we are about to discuss below.
Cleansers
Using abrasive cleaners is the worst thing you can ever do to the drum head. Most of them contain ammonia that damages the delicate plastic drum head. They can scratch and discolor the membrane. Over time, the drum head gets dull, rough, and flat.
Therefore, never use abrasive toilets or window cleansers. Instead, go for gentle, ammonia-free, bleach-free, chemical-free glass solutions. Or, you can use a mixture of soap-water. Make sure to dilute only several drops of dish soap in water. Soak a soft lint-free cloth and wipe away the dirt from your drum head.
Vinegar-water solution
Diluted vinegar has amazing cleansing properties. That’s why people use this to remove stains from a lot of items. It is not only beneficial but also safe. Pour an equal amount of water and vinegar in a bowl, stir well and dip a soft towel.
Rub the towel in a circular motion all over the drum head. All debris and unwanted marks will disappear. Remember to wipe it clean with plain water before it dries. Otherwise, the acidic ingredients of vinegar might destroy its structural integrity.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is an excellent means to get rid of the sticky residue off any surface. It generally contains 60 to 99% isopropyl alcohol. This range can be a little harsh to your drum head. Hence, take some alcohol in a pot and add water depending on the IA percentage.
If you can find a 50% one, you can use it directly, though. As alcohol tends to evaporate quickly, a direct rubbing may not work. Damp a microfiber cloth and leave it on the dirty section for a couple of minutes. It will help the greasy residues to soften. As soon as you start scrubbing, all dirt will come off with ease.
Plain water
Sometimes, plain water alone can vanish all debris off a drum head. It has been used on conga, bongo, and other animal-skin drum heads for a long time. When it comes to safety, we are not sure about it. Since animal skin is porous, water seeps into it even before you realize it.
You will be able to wipe off the dirt effortlessly, but the trapped moisture may destroy the skin layer. In order to avoid this situation, you have to use only a minimal amount of water so that they can’t go through the pores. Squeeze most of the water from a lint-free towel before putting it on the drum head. Rub with a bit of pressure if required and let it dry.
Lubricating oil or lotion
Lubricating oil is safer to clean animal skin compared to water. No wonder many people love using light palm oil. It loosens up the grimes and other dirt. The same goes for lotions. As a result, you can clean them quickly with a lint-free rag.
It has some downsides as well. You must check whether the consistency of the oil is appropriate or not for your drum head. The oil may go into the pores, clog them and change the sound system. Sometimes, it even attracts more dirt rather than loosening. Be careful about these circumstances while applying oil or lotion.
Here concludes our guide on cleaning a drum head. Feel free to choose one or more suitable options. Besides, you should keep multiple tips in mind. Wax the drum head for playing drums in the rain. If something falls on the drum head, wash immediately.
If you let it dry, it will go deeper, become stubborn, and make a permanent stain. Above all, always cover the whole drum and the sticks when not in use. An old bed sheet will do the work. It should be cleaned and washed regularly as well. In this way, you can keep the drum head forever clean and functional.
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