How to Clean a Flute
Music and bacteria don't mix well (except maybe in a George Lucas movie). Dry out the interior tube of your flute daily.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Flute Maintenance Kits
- Top-grade Key LUBRICANTS
- Cotton Sheets Material
- Small Chamois Cloth
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-
1
Purchase a flute-cleaning rod at your local music store if you don't have one.
-
2
Cut or tear an old sheet or pillowcase to make a strip of cloth 2 inches wide and between 15 and 30 inches long.
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3
Thread this cloth through the needle-like slot in the end of the cleaning rod.
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4
Uncouple the flute at the joints so that the mouthpiece pipe, main body and foot joints are separated.
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5
Draw the cloth on the cleaning rod through each of the sections so that all the moisture is removed.
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6
If you play the instrument a lot, it's wise to have two or three cleaning cloths. Launder and dry them, or replace them. Freshness is important.
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1
Tips & Warnings
A new flute comes with a 6- to 8-inch-long cleaning rod. It's made of aluminum and has a thumb loop at one end. The other end is flattened and has a 1- to 2-inch-long slot in it.
Take care when removing the foot joint. It has a very small and delicate key connection that can very easily be bent. This affects the closure of a keypad producing a low register note.
Mold buildup occurs if moisture and dampness are not removed regularly.
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Comments
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Aug 23, 2006
You can use tiny brushes or pipe cleaners to clean between the keys, but be careful not to move any of the springs. If you don't think you can do this carefully, try and take it to a repair shop or music store. -
Aug 23, 2006
You can use tiny brushes or pipe cleaners to clean between the keys, but be careful not to move any of the springs. If you don't think you can do this carefully, try and take it to a repair shop or music store.
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Aug 02, 2006
If you play outside during band class, lay it out overnight to dry. If you don't, your pads will shrink and fall out. Always take it apart to let it dry.
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Aug 02, 2006
If you play outside during band class, lay it out overnight to dry. If you don't, your pads will shrink and fall out. Always take it apart to let it dry.
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Jul 04, 2006
Dip your cotton bud in Silvo (same manufacturer as Brasso I think) and clean between the keys and rods, changing buds regularly and polish off with the same, taking care not to get on the pads. Larger areas can be cleaned with soft yellow polishing duster. Flute comes up like new.
