How to Clean Leather Sax Pads

Leather sax pads stick when they need to be cleaned.

Sticky saxophone pads cause aggravation and affect the playability of your horn. This occurs from regular condensation in the bore of the instrument from saliva, which can later mix with the natural oils present in the leather skin of the pad. Over time a buildup of residue occurs, causing the pad to stick and compromise the instrument. Many newer leather pads are treated with a waterproof coating that impedes wear. Clean your leather sax pads to keep them free from gummy residue.

Things You'll Need

• Lighter fluid
• Cotton swabs
• Warm water
• Lint-free cloth
• Dollar bill
• Coffee filters

Instructions

Treated Leather Pads

1. Examine each saxophone pad for wear and damage before cleaning. A worn pad will often be discolored, feel brittle or hard and will result in leaks. Replace worn pads; no amount of cleaning will return them to proper function.

2. Dampen a cotton swab with Naptha lighter fluid. Pads with treated leather may use this without harming the pad.

3. Open the pad by depressing the proper key if the pad is not already accessible in the default position.

4. Test the pad to see if it contains a waterproof coating before rubbing the solution over the entire pad. Touch the edge of one of the pads with the moistened cotton swab; if the leather turns dark, it is not treated leather and you should not apply lighter fluid to the surface of the pad, which can dry it out. Proceed to Section 2.

5. Rub the cotton swab over the pad, making sure to get the tone hole impression well. While the key is open, wipe the tone hole with a soft cloth moistened with warm water. Dry the tone hole before replacing the pad.

6. Place a soft, lint-free cloth between the tone hole and the pad. Close the pad, and lightly run the cloth out from under the pad to remove any residual debris.

Untreated Leather

1. Position the corner of a crisp dollar bill in between the tone hole on your instrument and the pad. Ensure the tone hole is completely covered by the bill.

2. Make sure the pad is closed. Gently pull the bill slowly from in between the pad to remove some of the residue--a temporary, quick fix.

3. Cut up clean coffee filters in small swatches to fit underneath each of the pads.

4. Keep the filters under the pads when not in use for up to three weeks, which should offer a more permanent solution to any sticking issues.

Tips & Warnings

• Moisture control will help keep your pads dry and lessen the need for cleaning. Clean your sax with a stuffer after use, and individually wipe down your pads with a clean, dry cloth for best results.

• Powders and oils can gum up your sax pads, offering a temporary fix that can later exacerbate the problem.

References

• SH Woodwind: Sticky Pads
• Equinox Jazz: How to Clean Your Saxophone Pads
• Sax the Web: Can I Clean my Sax Pads with Tascam Rubber Cleaner

Resources

• Taming the Saxophone: Maintenance Cleaning