General Cleaning Tips:

1. Do NOT put water (or any liquid) on any part of the flute - there are corks and pads that can get damaged!

2. Clean the flute with a dry cloth after playing. See the videos below or your teacher for help!

Cleaning the Flute Head Joint:

1. Using a cotton swab saturated with denatured, isopropyl alcohol, carefully clean around the embouchure hole.

2. Alcohol wipes can be used on the flute’s lip plate to kill germs if the flute shared by several players.

3. Using a soft, lint-free silk cloth inserted into the cleaning rod, clean the inside of the head joint.

4. Do not run the head joint under water as it may saturate and eventually shrink the head joint cork.

Instrument Hygiene

It is essential to maintain overall cleanliness via the use of cleaning rods, swabs, mouthpiece brushes, etc., as this is necessary to prevent buildup of residue within the instrument.

For wood instruments any excess amount of liquid can be damaging. Please be judicious and sparing outside of the mouthpiece area that needs cleaning. In addition, certain cleaning products that can be used on the mouthpiece should not be used around the pads associated with a woodwind instrument’s keys (e.g. flute, clarinet, saxophone, etc.).

Instrument Hygiene

It is essential to maintain overall cleanliness via the use of cleaning rods, swabs, mouthpiece brushes, etc., as this is necessary to prevent buildup of residue within the instrument.

For wood instruments any excess amount of liquid can be damaging. Please be judicious and sparing outside of the mouthpiece area that needs cleaning. In addition, certain cleaning products that can be used on the mouthpiece should not be used around the pads associated with a woodwind instrument’s keys (e.g. flute, clarinet, saxophone, etc.).

Cleaning Clarinet Mouthpieces

1. Mouthpieces should be swabbed after each use and cleaned weekly.

2. Select a small container that will accommodate the mouthpiece vertically and place the mouthpiece, tip down, into the container.

3. Fill the container just past the window of the mouthpiece with a solution of 50% water and 50% white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Protect clarinet mouthpiece corked tenons from moisture.

4. After the mouthpiece has soaked for fifteen minutes, use an appropriately sized mouthpiece brush to remove any calcium deposits or other residue from inside and outside surfaces. This step may need to be repeated if the mouthpiece is excessively dirty.

5. Rinse the mouthpiece thoroughly and then saturate with disinfectant solution. Place on paper towel and wait one minute.

6. Wipe dry with paper towel.

Cleaning Saxophone Mouthpieces

1. Mouthpieces should be swabbed after each use and cleaned weekly.

2. Select a small container that will accommodate the mouthpiece vertically and place the mouthpiece, tip down, into the container.

3. Fill the container just past the window of the mouthpiece with a solution of 50% water and 50% white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Protect clarinet mouthpiece corked tenons from moisture.

4. After the mouthpiece has soaked for fifteen minutes, use an appropriately sized mouthpiece brush to remove any calcium deposits or other residue from inside and outside surfaces. This step may need to be repeated if the mouthpiece is excessively dirty.

5. Rinse the mouthpiece thoroughly and then saturate with disinfectant solution. Place on paper towel and wait one minute.

6. Wipe dry with paper towel.

7. Note: Metal saxophone mouthpieces clean up well with hot water, mild dish soap (not dishwasher detergent), and a mouthpiece brush. Disinfectant solution is also safe for metal mouthpieces.

Cleaning Saxophone Necks

1. Swabs are available to clean the inside of the saxophone neck. However, many saxophonists use a flexible bottlebrush and toothbrush to accomplish the same results.

2. The saxophone neck should be swabbed after each use and cleaned weekly.

3. Use the bottlebrush with mild, soapy water to clean the inside of the neck.

4. Rinse under running water.

5. Disinfectant solution may be used on the inside of the neck if desired. Place on paper towel for one minute.

6. Rinse again under running water, dry, and place in the case.

Cleaning Trumpet Mouthpieces

1. Mouthpieces should be cleaned monthly.

2. Use a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water to clean the outside of the mouthpiece.

3. Use a mouthpiece brush with warm, soapy water to clean the inside.

4. Rinse the mouthpiece and dry thoroughly.

5. Disinfectant solution may be used on the mouthpiece at this time. Place on paper towel for one minute.

6. Wipe dry with paper towel.

Cleaning French Horn Mouthpieces

1. Mouthpieces should be cleaned monthly.

2. Use a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water to clean the outside of the mouthpiece.

3. Use a mouthpiece brush with warm, soapy water to clean the inside.

4. Rinse the mouthpiece and dry thoroughly.

5. Disinfectant solution may be used on the mouthpiece at this time. Place on paper towel for one minute.

6. Wipe dry with paper towel.

Cleaning Trombone Mouthpieces

1. Mouthpieces should be cleaned monthly.

2. Use a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water to clean the outside of the mouthpiece.

3. Use a mouthpiece brush with warm, soapy water to clean the inside.

4. Rinse the mouthpiece and dry thoroughly.

5. Disinfectant solution may be used on the mouthpiece at this time. Place on paper towel for one minute.

6. Wipe dry with paper towel.

Cleaning Baritone/Euphonium/Tuba Mouthpieces

1. Mouthpieces should be cleaned monthly.

2. Use a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water to clean the outside of the mouthpiece.

3. Use a mouthpiece brush with warm, soapy water to clean the inside.

4. Rinse the mouthpiece and dry thoroughly.

5. Disinfectant solution may be used on the mouthpiece at this time. Place on paper towel for one minute.

6. Wipe dry with paper towel.