...And yet another satisfied CMG user. :)

Count me in.

Re: peroxide
 

What would you suggest? Also, is it really an issue? Are there nasties that can live long enough to be a problem?

I haven't tried it, mostly b/c I'm just cheap. I have about 20 Fox 40s and I just can't see spending money on more of them. I like the tape, actually. Helps put me in a basketball mindset. (And I don't worry about washing the tape after every game, like Dan does.)

Try what it says on the back of the package. Soaking the whistle in a water viniger solution. I do this between 1 every month or twice a month, depending on how sick i was, and how much crap i've coughed into the whistle. It really cleans out the inside. Let is soak overnight, then rinse it out, because i'm pretty sure no one likes the taste of viniger in their mouth for an hour and a half game.

And you've got another satisfied CMG user here.

Dan's not so worried about the tape part (the outside) Dan's worried about the inside, that swamp where all the kooties live.

The vinegar method will get the inside squeeky clean.

CMG...chewed right through it!!! I'm on #3 this year with 10-12 nights to go!!! Teeth keep getting flatter, and my hearing keeps getting worse!!!

I just use the usual fox 40. I buy a dozen at a time and start a new one when the chew marks in the other start becomming somewhat deep... so about once every 3 1/2 weeks it seems. Also sometimes i chip part of the whistle bridge (the thing u put inside the teeth) thats usually a good indication this whistle has that night and the next one left in it.

I bought 3 of the CMG whistles this year. Love them. Would love them more if they were a bit smaller.

I have never cleaned a whistle, personally. Once they start getting scummy inside I throw it out. Probably a bit wasteful, now that I think about it.

I try to eat "before" I get to the game.

Rich,
I cleaned one whistle out once. Sounded better. But generally I am not real concerned. The reason I cleaned it was that I thought it sounded funny. Got some stuff outa there.

Since I started I have been a mini foxer. BasketBallRef swore by the CMG so I bought some to try.
Last night (two 30+ Rec games, a lot of summer baseballers on the floor ;)) I switched on the run from my mini to the CMG in the first half of the 1st game.

I think I was sold last night. :)
mick

BK, there just like shoes. 3 pairs, rotating them daily, will last 5 times longer than one pair. If you'll use 3 CMGs and rotate them, they'll last much, much longer.

Also, if you haven't tried a CMG in the past year, they've changed the mouthpiece and it's much more durable. I just wish they would use a black material, and not the opague gray color.

You desperately need to try a CMG. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Maybe I'm halucinating, but I think I've seen them with black mouthpieces - just don't know where to buy them like that.

Warning: Microbiology post
 

To answer some of the questions posed here:

First, the virus which causes most fever blisters can survive in air for a fairly good period of time. The whistle, a wet surface, provides a great medium for the virii to spread to other areas of your lips/mouth. As an addendum, don't forget that the blisters can sometimes be contagious before an outbreak, so you should clean your whistle regularly.

Second, I wouldn't use peroxide. Although it should kill most germs, it's not intended for sterilization. Also, I don't want any residue of that stuff in my mouth.

Third, tape. This won't stop deposits from building up inside your whistle. As such, the whistles should be cleaned or disposed of on a regular basis.

Finally, my preferred method. I soak my whistles in antiseptic mouthwash, rinse, then use a toothpick to get any gunk inside (I find I have a problem with the ridges of the CMG). Mouthwash may kill more effectively than vinegar, and will definately taste better (you can't rinse out the vinegar taste very easily).

Of course, my roommate always suggests cleaning my whistles in gin, vodka, or the like - that's a whole different thread, though.