Cleaning flute with soap and water

[sinebar]

Is it safe to clean a flute with soap and water? I got my ebay YFL 24N today and I must say for $50 it's not bad at all. It does need a good cleaning and polishing though.

[flutepicc06]

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). If it plays well, wait until you have to take it to a tech to get it cleaned. They will be able to do it as part of the annual maintainance. Tarnish is only a cosmetic problem and will not affect how the flute plays, but overpolishing in the wrong areas can. Polishes remove small layers of the metal, and over time, this can have a big effect, particularly if you polish in the area of the lip plate constantly. If it's plated, you'll wear through the plate eventually, which will look much worse than a little bit of tarnish. If you MUST polish it, don't do so very often, and use an instrument polishing cloth intended for silver/silver plated instruments. Never use commercial polishes or cleansers, as these are much too harsh for a flute. When you polish it using this cloth, don't jam it into areas that are hard to reach (like between keys or under the lip plate), as this can do damage to the instrument that may render it virtually unplayable, and you'll have to send it off to a tech. My suggestion would be to call a good flute teacher or tech in the area and ask them about proper care and maintainance, and then make sure you follow their advice. There are many small things that you wouldn't think would do any harm that can actually end up hurting your flute if you're not careful.

[flutepicc06]

Double post. Sorry!

[shortandsilly]

Is it safe to clean a flute with soap and water? I got my ebay YFL 24N today and I must say for $50 it's not bad at all. It does need a good cleaning and polishing though.

no. nvr ever ever ever. [well unless you are a technician and you know what you are doing..but nvr ever ever ever.]

[sinebar]

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). If it plays well, wait until you have to take it to a tech to get it cleaned. They will be able to do it as part of the annual maintainance. Tarnish is only a cosmetic problem and will not affect how the flute plays, but overpolishing in the wrong areas can. Polishes remove small layers of the metal, and over time, this can have a big effect, particularly if you polish in the area of the lip plate constantly. If it's plated, you'll wear through the plate eventually, which will look much worse than a little bit of tarnish. If you MUST polish it, don't do so very often, and use an instrument polishing cloth intended for silver/silver plated instruments. Never use commercial polishes or cleansers, as these are much too harsh for a flute. When you polish it using this cloth, don't jam it into areas that are hard to reach (like between keys or under the lip plate), as this can do damage to the instrument that may render it virtually unplayable, and you'll have to send it off to a tech. My suggestion would be to call a good flute teacher or tech in the area and ask them about proper care and maintainance, and then make sure you follow their advice. There are many small things that you wouldn't think would do any harm that can actually end up hurting your flute if you're not careful.

Thanks for the good advice. I plan on taking it to the tech this Sat. Thanks again.

[flutepicc06]

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). If it plays well, wait until you have to take it to a tech to get it cleaned. They will be able to do it as part of the annual maintainance. Tarnish is only a cosmetic problem and will not affect how the flute plays, but overpolishing in the wrong areas can. Polishes remove small layers of the metal, and over time, this can have a big effect, particularly if you polish in the area of the lip plate constantly. If it's plated, you'll wear through the plate eventually, which will look much worse than a little bit of tarnish. If you MUST polish it, don't do so very often, and use an instrument polishing cloth intended for silver/silver plated instruments. Never use commercial polishes or cleansers, as these are much too harsh for a flute. When you polish it using this cloth, don't jam it into areas that are hard to reach (like between keys or under the lip plate), as this can do damage to the instrument that may render it virtually unplayable, and you'll have to send it off to a tech. My suggestion would be to call a good flute teacher or tech in the area and ask them about proper care and maintainance, and then make sure you follow their advice. There are many small things that you wouldn't think would do any harm that can actually end up hurting your flute if you're not careful.

Thanks for the good advice. I plan on taking it to the tech this Sat. Thanks again.

No problem!

[Claiken]

from what I know, a trombone is the only instrument that you can give a bath to at home. cuz tehres no corks or pads. lucky them, lol.

Do any of you sanitize your flutes? Do you need to?

[flutepicc06]

Do any of you sanitize your flutes? Do you need to?

I don't sanitize my flutes, as I am the only one that plays them, and I take excellent care of my instruments, but if you were to rent a flute and wanted to sanitize it or something, it wouldn't be a terrible idea. Of course, it's not like sharing a clarinet mouthpiece, where potentially bacteria ridden parts are actually going IN your mouth, so the odds of getting sick from a flute are lessened, but still exist. If you choose to sanitize your flute, use a soft cloth soaked in denatured alcohol to swab it out, but keep the alcohol away from the mechanism. The alcohol will kill bacteria and the like, but will evaporate without doing any harm to the pads or corks.

[fluteguy18]

And you can also put a little bit of the denatured alcohol in the headjoint [ sealing shut the embouchure hole with your thumb] and swish it around for a second or two, then pour it out [ then swab it relatively dry with a clean cloth]. This is particularly useful if you become ill with something like the flu, or a cold, or mono.

[Claiken]

thats exactly why I want to. I have a cold rite now but I dont want to keep re-giving myself the cold. Know what I mean? would Rubbing Alcohol do the same thing?? like the stuff you put on wounds?

[remnantpark]

My friend uses rubbing alcohol...She says she dumps rubbing alcohol and swish it around to clean it...I don't know if that's a good thing to do, is it?

[flutepicc06]

My friend uses rubbing alcohol...She says she dumps rubbing alcohol and swish it around to clean it...I don't know if that's a good thing to do, is it?

You really shouldn't use enough that you can swish it around (enough to slightly moisten a soft cloth will do the trick), but I see no reason why rubbing alcohol should be a problem should be a problem in and of itself. Do keep in mind, however, that most rubbing alcohols contains at least 5% water (or as much as 30%, depending on the concentration), which could cause problems with the cork, especially with the swishing method. I have not been able to ascertain the water content (if any) of denatured alcohol, but given that it was suggested by a flute maker as a disinfectant, I would not regard it as dangerous.

[remnantpark]

Thanks...(I should try that...)

[fluteguy18]

I was told by a local tech that taking just a little bit of rubbing alcohol [ or hot water], swishing it around [ in the headjoint ONLY] for about 5 seconds then immediately dumping it out [ then swabbing it dry] is the way that they disenfect an instrument if someone has been ill. I dont think it has any adverse affects on the flute [ I have done this to my flute a few times, and it wasnt badly affected whatsoever]. Just as long as it is quick, and you swab it out with a CLEAN cloth to absorb any excess moisture.

I would also advise taking a Q-tip, dipping it in the denatured alcohol/ rubbing alcohol, and carefully swab the embouchure hole [ taking care not to scratch it, and dry it afterwards with another dry q-tip].


As for the amount to put in the headjoint I wouldnt put more than a tablespoon amount in. That way, if much gets beyond the metal disc that covers the cork, it wont be more moisture than what gets back there while you play. As for the rest of the flute, definately use a slightly moistened swab [ with the denatured/ rubbing alcohol]. I just prefer the swish method for the headjoint because it will get in all of the little corners [ riser, 'corner' that the headjoint cork makes with the tubing etc.] where a swab couldnt get to as easily.

[kdell]

thx 4 the info guys...im definately gonna remember this stuff!