Comments on How to Clean a Flute

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Contrary to popular belief, never clean your flute pads with cigarette papers. On your pads there is a very thin skin and the cigarette paper can break this fragile skin and cause air leaks. Never use silver liquid polish on your flute, no matter how instrument friendly they say they are, they will strip your flute of precious silvers. Only use a silver polishing cloth and nothing else. And try not to clean between the keys, it can knock them off key. If need be, take your instrument to an instrument cleaner who can do it the proper way and without causing damage. Flutes are a lot more delicate than you may think.

Never put alcohol on your flute. It can damage the finish as well as end up on the pads (if you aren't careful).

Never put alcohol on your flute. It can damage the finish as well as end up on the pads (if you aren't careful).

Place the cleaning rod into the head joint backwards. The notch in the handle end of the rod should line up with the middle of the hole which you blow across. Tighten or loosen the screw on the back of the head joint to align.

Contrary to popular belief, never clean your flute pads with cigarette papers. On your pads there is a very thin skin and the cigarette paper can break this fragile skin and cause air leaks. Never use silver liquid polish on your flute, no matter how instrument friendly they say they are, they will strip your flute of precious silvers. Only use a silver polishing cloth and nothing else. And try not to clean between the keys, it can knock them off key. If need be, take your instrument to an instrument cleaner who can do it the proper way and without causing damage. Flutes are a lot more delicate than you may think.

Buy alcohol pads. Rub one on the lip-piece. This helps eliminate unhealthy germs and keeps you cleaner and healthier.

Do not use a pipe cleaner to clean a flute. It can bend the springs and cost you a lot to get them fixed.

Do not use a pipe cleaner to clean a flute. It can bend the springs and cost you a lot to get them fixed.

Use a pipe cleaner to go between all the tight spots between the keys. It actually gets very dirty there.

Use a pipe cleaner to go between all the tight spots between the keys. It actually gets very dirty there.

When you are taking the flute apart, remember to twist the parts instead of pulling them apart because you could damage the keys and the parts. Also, if you are not going to play it for a while, always take it apart and put it away instead of leaving it out until later because it could get bumped and fall and put a dent in it, which changes your pitches by a little.

Take a strip of soft clean cloth and put it on the rod like you normally would. Before you use it, double the cloth over the top of the rod, making it thicker. This will aid in removing buildup. Twist while pushing the rod down the length of the flute.

If you don't have any cleaning cloths and your pads are sticking badly, use a dollar bill to clean them out. Pinch in the pad and slide the bill out. I wouldn't do it regularly, but it works in a pinch!

Even if you are not going to play your flute for only an hour, you still need to take it apart and clean it. If this is skipped as little as one time, the headjoint and body may become difficult to put together, especially on new flutes.

Do not use pad savers. They have fibers on them that come off and get stuck inside, trapping air. They also absorb too much moisture in pads, causing them to warp or fall out.

Attach a ribbon to your cleaning cloth. CAREFULLY slip the ribbon through the end of a piece. When it comes out the other end, pull the ribbon GENTLY through. Spick and span!

You can wash the head of your flute in a sink with lukewarm water. Put a towel at the bottom, then rinse it (letting the water go through it). You can use soap to clean the outside. Dry it very well!

Don't forget to remove dust from your pads and the dirt in the grooves on the top of your keys. You can purchase pad cleaning papers online or at a store. And you can get a tiny brush to clean your keys and the open holes and cracks and crannies!

Don't leave the cleaning rod in your flute when you store it. The moisture from the cloth will soak up into the pads and warp them. It is very bad for your flute.