When was the last time you cleaned your handheld microphones? Yes, you can and should clean them. The handle or body of the mic is easy to clean with a disinfecting wipe. However, the grill of the mic is often neglected and prone to spreading germs, since many people put their lips on a mic grill without even thinking about it.
Keeping your mic grill clean is easy. Many grills are made to unscrew from the mic body. (Always check with the manufacturer.) Be careful not to damage the capsule or tiny wires underneath and place the mic body in a safe place. Now it’s time to wash the grill. Before you wash, gently remove the foam insert from inside the grill. I recommend regular dish detergent mixed with water in a bowl and soft toothbrush. Immerse the grill in the water and let any hardened residue soak if needed. Use the toothbrush to gently clean the mesh. Rinse well to make sure no soap is left in the grill. Rub the grill with a soft towel and let it sit overnight to air dry. Immerse the foam in the water and gently wash it by hand until it is clean. Rinse well to remove all residue. Squeeze the water out and let the foam air dry overnight. The next day, check to make sure both grill and foam are entirely dry before you reassemble the microphone.
For regular disinfecting, I recommend using a single use alcohol wipe available at your local pharmacy, since the alcohol evaporates without leaving any sticky residue to trap dust and dirt.
I don’t like to use cleaning chemicals or spray my mic grills with disinfectants. I treat mic grills like dishes because they often come in contact with people’s mouths. (In fact, some large venues have been known to clean their mic grills in the dishwasher.) Happy cleaning!