Soaking half-valved diatonics?

[EdvinW]

When I clean my valve-less diatonics I usualy first let them soak in warm water for 10-15 minutes or so, either the whole harp or just the reedplates if it has a wooden comb. If it's a harp I've equipped with gasketvalves, I take it apart to dry.

Is this a good method to use with the half-valved harps Brendan sells, like the 10-hole Paddies and the Lucky 13's?

I'm also wondering if there's any advantage, maintenance-wise, over the felt type valves Seydel use in their diatonics? (I've not dared to soak my half-valved Seydels, but maybe that's just silly?)

[Lizzy]

I have actually never tried to soak my Seydels with the felt type valves, because when they got stuck to often, i just rip them of and just glue new ones on after i cleaned the reedplate. It only takes a few minutes for me. If my concern is bacteria i use Seydels Desinfection bag with some manual removal of the stucked grease.