Since I had very bad experience with Alexander reed, I might agree that reed need some maintenance (mouthwash will make your pads sticky) but I cannot spend too much time petting, soaking, massaging and licking reeds that cost me something like £3 each.
For £3 pounds, a reed should be able to first-sight read the 2nd alto part of a Thad Jones chart.
Rotation helps to improve a reed's life, but please remember that reeds are temperamental, and when a reed decides it's not its day, you better move on to the next one and try it again another time.
Never soak a reed in real ale and never use a reed trimmer when full moon.
You can play Eclipse (Mingus) during an eclipse, though.