How to Sterilize Wooden Flutes
Your wooden flute will naturally accumulate junk and gunk from the build up of saliva. If you fail to clean and sterilize your wooden flute on a regular basis, you run the risk of damaging the instrument, damage the wooden finish, and end up with an instrument that produces distorted sounds when it is being used. Sterilizing your instrument is a simple process, but it's one that requires precision and time. Improperly cleaning your instrument can permanently damage it.
Instructions
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Cut up a neglected, unused t-shirt from your closet. Cut the t-shirt into two separate sections.
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Dissemble your flute as if you are about to put it back into its protective case.
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Pour a tablespoon or two of liquid soap into a bucket of water. Swish it so that it creates foam. If no foam forms, pour in more liquid soap into the bucket.
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Dip one part of the t-shirt into the cleaning solution. Wring out excessive moisture. Gently clean the outside of your flute. Make sure to clean all three components, including the mouth piece. Use q-tips and cotton balls to get into the nook and crannies of the flute. Rinse the t-shirt under warm water until the water runs clear and free of soap. Wring it, and clean out any soapy residue from the flute. Wood can get moldy if under excessive moisture. Set the pieces aside; let the flute air dry.
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Dip the second part of the t-shirt into the cleaning solution. Wring out excessive moisture.
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Wrap the t-shirt around the cleaning rod. Insert the rod into the flute. Gently push in and out the flute to clean the flute's innards. Do not apply excessive pressure, for this can potentially damage the flute. The liquid soap will sterilize the inside of the flute. The t-shirt wrapped around the cleaning rod will also protect the wooden finish of the flute. The rod will clean out accumulated gunk inside of the flute.
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Rinse the t-shirt under running water, until the water runs clear. Wrap the shirt around the rod, and clean out the flute's innards once again. This will clean out any soapy residue that can damage the wood's finish. Set the flute aside; let it air dry. Re-assemble the flute.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit the notes and flute image by Victor M. from Fotolia.com
