Instrument Care and Maintenance Tips
Flute
Flute
- Swab instruments daily.
- Wipe down your head joint with alcohol swab or other disinfectant weekly.
- Do not run the head joint under water as it will expand the cork.
- Use a polishing cloth to wipe down the outside of the flute.
- Swab instrument daily.
- Clean mouthpieces weekly with warm soapy water and a mouthpiece brush.
- Keep cork tenons clean and greased.
- Use a polishing cloth to wipe down the outside of the clarinet.
- Swab instrument daily.
- Clean mouthpieces weekly with warm soapy water and a mouthpiece brush.
- Clean the neck (crook) with a bottle brush or a toothbrush.
- Use a polishing cloth to wipe down the outside of the saxophone.
- Mouthpieces should be cleaned monthly with a mouthpiece brush and warm soapy water.
- Valves should be oiled daily or when needed.
- A warm (not hot!) bath with a little dish soap can be used to soak your instrument for 30 minutes. DO NOT PUT VALVES IN WATER! Use a cleaning snake to wipe the inside of all tuning slides.
- Mouthpieces should be cleaned monthly with a mouthpiece brush and warm soapy water.
- Slides should be lubricated when needed.
- A warm (not hot!) bath with a little dish soap can be used to soak your instrument for 30 minutes. Use a cleaning snake to wipe the inside of all slides and length of the instrument.
- Percussion equipment is often shared, and hand washing can prevent spreading germs.
- Wipe down any sticks or mallets if necessary.
