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.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Flute Maintenance Kits
• Top-grade Key LUBRICANTS
• Cotton Sheets Material
• Small Chamois Cloth

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.
3. Thread this cloth through the needle-like slot in the end of the cleaning rod.
4. Uncouple the flute at the joints so that the mouthpiece pipe, main body and foot joints are separated.
5. Draw the cloth on the cleaning rod through each of the sections so that all the moisture is removed.
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.

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.