Cleaning Flutes
- scherzando
- Susie_Q
- Chercheuse
- Susie_Q
- Susie_Q
- claudia8a
- EPBuggie1227
- vivianeckles
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» scherzando - .
A month ago I finally picked out the flute that will basically last me the rest of my life - a beautiful new Burkart. I love everything about it. I am afraid that in trying to take care of it I'll do something stupid without realizing it and ruin it over time. What is the best material to use to clean it? What for the inside of it and what for the outside? How do you prevent tarnish?Thank you!!!!!
Kaci S
-- posted by scherzando
» Susie_Q - cleaning flutes
If I were you, I'd check with Flute World, Woodwind/Brasswind, or any music store that sells woodwinds and get a small kit. The kit will have a special cleaning cloth for polishing (DON'T use silver polish!), plus a regular one for swabbing the flute out. When you clean the body and foot joint, run the cleaning rod in and out in the same direction instead of running it back and forth in opposite directions, or you'll run the risk of the cloth jamming. For the headjoint, just a couple of twists will do. Use pipecleaners or the brushes that clean the bobbin holder of a sewing machine to get dust and other yukkies under the rods. Use cigarette paper or specially made paper from a kit to clean the pads. Put the paper directly under the key, push the key down, and GENTLY tug, but don't pull all the way out (that might smear the dirt more on the keys). Go at it at different angles to get as much dirt as you can. Every few years, you'll probably want to take it in to get professionally cleaned and oiled.-- posted by Susie_Q
» Chercheuse - Caring for your flute
I agree: investing in a small "emergency" kit is well worth the money! Many of us don't realize the value of having the right tools on hand until we've been caught trying to coax a spring back into position three minutes before curtain, using the rusty tip of a bobby-pin found on the floor......While cigarette papers certainly will work in a pinch, be very careful about keeping the gummed edge away from any dampness. Tear off the gummed edge, or fold it to the inside.
If you can't find or afford a steady supply of the speciality papers, hit up your local beauty supply house for a couple packs of end papers. Find a brand you like. Some are very soft, yet strong and absorbent. The price is right, too.
-- posted by Chercheuse
» Susie_Q - cleaning
Now that's something I never thought of.....beautician papers like that! What a neat idea! I used to be the advocate of the dollar bill because that's what I always heard, but it makes sense that money isn't exactly clean :-( The crochet hook and the screwdriver, plus the fine papers. If you have those and your cleaning cloth, you'll do fine.-- posted by Susie_Q
» Susie_Q - cleaning
Now that's something I never thought of.....beautician papers like that! What a neat idea! I used to be the advocate of the dollar bill because that's what I always heard, but it makes sense that money isn't exactly clean :-( The crochet hook and the screwdriver, plus the fine papers. If you have those and your cleaning cloth, you'll do fine.-- posted by Susie_Q
» EPBuggie1227 - Cleaning help
i have a almost 2 year old (since i bought it) gemeinhardt flute, closed hole with a normal foot (no gizmo key or anything like that)its really dirty inside but when i clean it it doesnt do anyhing to the spit and moisture that the swab didnt get the time before, what can i spray or do inside to clean it, please email me at EPBuggie1227@aol.com with a responce (i always 4get to check the boards)-- posted by EPBuggie1227
» vivianeckles - Re: cleaning flutes
what do you do if you did use silver polish on a flute? (not knowing that you shouldn't) How can I clean it back up and get the shine back? It looks old now, almost like its been antiqued. What should I use on it to clean it back up? Please help
Thanks Much.
-- posted by vivianeckles
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