How do you sanitize a flute?
Using a cotton swab saturated with denatured, isopropyl alcohol, carefully clean around the embouchure hole. Alcohol wipes can be used on the flute’s lip plate to kill germs if the flute shared by several players. Using a soft, lint-free silk cloth inserted into the cleaning rod, clean the inside of the headjoint.
How do you clean your flute without damaging it?
Wipe the outside of the flute with a cloth. Carefully polish the flute with a microfiber cleaning cloth. While playing, grease and fingerprints can build up on the outside of the flute. Gently clean all of the keys and the body of the flute.
Can you clean a flute with soap and water?
To sum it all up, cleaning your flute is typically best done with anti-tarnish silver polish and rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. You can also use soap and water but in small amounts so as to not destroy the pads or the headjoint cork either. While Windex isn’t necessarily harmful, it also isn’t recommended.
Can I give my flute a bath?
It does need a good cleaning and polishing though. Never get it wet unless it is completely disassembled (which it shouldn’t be unless a tech is working on it). Water will ruin the pads and the corks, and you’ll end up having to get them replaced (which can be quite costly).
Can you use Clorox wipes on a flute?
To answer simply, it is not recommended to use clorox wipes for your flute but you can most certainly use them to clean your hard case. The reason for this is that bleach is a corrosive chemical that can actually damage your silver flute and damage your headjoint, cork, keys, and pads.
How do you clean a stinky flute?
for the headjoint, I run warm, soapy water through it at an angle in the sink. Angle the headjoint so that the water does not get the cork wet. Rinse well and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. I do this with the HEADJOINT only.
Can you use hydrogen peroxide to clean a flute?
FLUTES: can wipe down the head joint mouth plate with isopropyl alcohol. You can also use a pad saver instead of swabbing. Use a silversurface polish cloth to remove fingerprints and tarnish. Use hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol once a month to wipe down the mouthpiece.
How do you fix discoloration on a flute?
To clean a tarnished flute, start by rubbing down the flute with a silver polishing cloth and then use an anti-tarnish silver polish with a microfiber cloth to rub the area until the tarnish slowly disappears.
How long do Flute pads last?
3-6 years
Can you clean a flute with silver polish?
When you’re polishing a flute, don’t use silver polish or other liquids. Although it can be tempting to give your instrument an extra shine, liquid polish isn’t recommended because it can damage the instrument’s finger pads and cause the metal to rust.
What can I use to clean a silver flute?
Use silver polish (Wrights silver cream and a Q-tip) but do not get any water or polish on the pads. Then wipe it clean with a soft cloth (damp when needed), again being careful around the pads. Silver cream does not hurt the flute, and it extends the shine and life of the silver plating.
Can I use rubbing alcohol to clean my flute?
regular maintenance Never use silver polish or any other cleaner on your flute. To clean your flute use “saliva” or rubbing alcohol on your cloth. To keep pads clean, don’t eat candy or chew gum before playing and never while playing.
Do flutes need servicing?
Clean, Oil and Adjust (COA) A professional COA or ‘Service’ is the single most important concern for keeping your flute in top playing condition and all flutes should undergo this this every 12 to 18 months. The procedure involves complete disassembly of the instrument.
Can you wash a flute Headjoint?
While playing, the inside of your flute collects condensation from warm moist air blown into it. This moisture should be removed to keep the instrument clean. After playing, remove the headjoint from the body. The headjoint can be cleaned using dish detergent in warm (not hot!)
Why is my flute turning brown?
Flutes turn brown due to tarnish. The tarnish is the result of a chemical reaction between the silver of a flute and the various compounds it comes into contact with. Even so, it may cause problems if allowed to fully erode, so it is best to clean the tarnish off.
Can you fix a tarnished flute?
There are a few ways to remove the areas of tarnish. One method is polishing off the sulfide layer. This is essentially what you do when using a “silver polishing cloth”. Professionals may use a buffing machine or polish by “hand ragging” with various compounds.
How do you use anti tarnish strips on the flute?
Simply place the strip in your flute (or piccolo, etc.) case to prevent tarnish from forming. These strips last up to 6 months for instruments in storage, but for instruments that are in regular use, they should be changed approximately every 3 months.