Swabs come in all shapes and sizes: big enough for the English horn, small enough for just the top joint, double-ended, single-ended, pull-through, not pull-through…
The one commonality that all swabs have is that they all get wet, then hopefully dry before you need to use them again. Over time they start to look like a compressed, wrinkly, folded up mess. Rather than tossing your swab and getting a new one, take a few minutes to wash it and hang it to dry nicely and it will be restored to at least its original dimensions.
How to wash your swab:
Start by filling a large clean bowl with cool water. Add a little of your favorite laundry detergent: we don’t need a lot of detergent, a little will do.
Drop your swab(s) into the bowl, ensuring that it gets fully submerged into the soapy water.
Gently agitate the swab to work the soap into the fabric. If you use a silk swab, DON’T rub it very hard, simply crumple it in your hand, then stretch it out again and repeat. Cotton and microfiber swabs can take more vigorous scrubbing if you’re trying to get a stain out.
Let the swab soak for 5 minutes.
Rinse the swab in cool running water until it rinses clear.
Gently stretch the swab out to its full size and hang or lay flat to dry. Optional: use clothespins to help it keep its shape.
Now, you don’t need to wash your swab every week, or even every month. I typically wash my swabs 1-2 times a year when they’re discolored or so misshapen I don’t think they’re doing a good job anymore.
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