regex for cleaning up username

Cannot seem to get a regex to check a string for the following space tab ' " ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) + = : ; / \ if(preg_match('[\'" ,!@#$%\^&*()+=:;/\\]',$mystring)) simply need a true if it contains any of these characters (for cleaning up usernames). thinking it may be easier to parse for only allowed characters. don't use regex often enough to be profficient, assistance is appreciated Dave VanAuken Nexus Internet Solutions, Inc. 664 Grandview Drive Oshawa, ON L1H 8J3 P: 905.725.9038 F: 905.261.4254 M: 905.261.4252 E: dave@nexusinternetsolutions.net