3 Ways To Clean And Maintain Your Flute - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Clean and Maintain Your Flute PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Jennifer Slaughter

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Approved

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  • Cleaning Your Flute
    • |
  • Storing Your Flute
    • |
  • Caring for Your Flute
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Expert Interview
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Jennifer Slaughter. Jennifer Slaughter is a Professional Flutist and Flute Instructor based in Spokane, WA. With over 15 years of experience, she is dedicated to sharing and teaching music with aspiring flutists. Jennifer is the founder of Jennifer Slaughter Flute Studio and provides online and in-person lessons to all ages. She also plays flute in the Spokane Symphony. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 431,915 times.

Your flute is an expensive and valuable instrument that needs to be properly cleaned and cared for to remain in good condition. You must clean your flute after each use. Gently handle your flute while assembling and disassembling it, and always store it in a safe space.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Your Flute

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  1. Step 1 Unscrew the pieces gently. 1 Unscrew the pieces gently. In order to take apart your flute, gently unscrew the head-joint and foot-joint from the body of the flute. This should be done carefully. Be sure not to touch the keys or keypads because these can easily be damaged.
  2. Step 2 Clean your flute after each use. 2 Clean your flute after each use. Before you put away and store your flute, it is important that you remove the moisture from inside. If left uncleaned, your flute will not only begin to smell, but it will also tarnish on the inside. As a result, you should clean the inside and outside of your flute after every use[1] . Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Attach a cloth to the cleaning rod. 3 Attach a cloth to the cleaning rod. Thread a soft cloth through the needle-like slot in the end of your cleaning rod[2] . Pull the cloth through the slot so that half of the cloth is on either side of the rod.[3]
    • Use a cloth made from a soft and thin material, such as a microfiber or cotton.
  4. Step 4 Wrap the cloth around the rod. 4 Wrap the cloth around the rod. Take the cloth and wrap it around the rod so that none of the rod is exposed. If the rod touches the flute while cleaning, it can scratch and damage the inside of the flute.
  5. Step 5 Insert the rod into each section of the flute. 5 Insert the rod into each section of the flute. Remove the moisture that builds up inside the flute, by gently inserting the cleaning rod into each section of the flute. For example, you will need to clean inside the head-joint, foot-joint, and body of the flute[4] . The cloth will absorb and remove any moisture inside.
    • When cleaning the body section of the flute, be sure to insert the cleaning rod into both ends of the flute. This will ensure that the entire inside is cleaned.
  6. Step 6 Twist the rod to clean inside. 6 Twist the rod to clean inside. You can gently twist the cleaning rod while it is inside the flute to ensure that all the moisture is absorbed.[5] [6]
  7. Step 7 Wipe the outside of the flute with a cloth. 7 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[7] . Gently clean all of the keys and the body of the flute.
    • Pay particular attention to the ends (or tenons) where the separate pieces attach together. This is where gunk can often build up. Use your fingers and a cloth to clean around and inside the ends.
    • Do not use cloths that contain metal polish. These can damage your flute and should be avoided.
  8. Step 8 Don’t touch the key pads while cleaning. 8 Don’t touch the key pads while cleaning. When you are cleaning, be sure to hold the flute by the barrel and avoid touching the key pads. These can be easily punctured and will cause damage to your flute. You can also bend the keys if you are too rough while cleaning.
    • If the key pads or keys are damaged, take your flute to a professional for servicing and repair.
  9. Step 9 Use a cotton swab to clean tough to reach places. 9 Use a cotton swab to clean tough to reach places. You can use a cotton swab to remove dust and buildup between the keys. A cotton swab can also be used to clean the embouchure hole on the head-joint. Be very gentle and avoid touching the keypads.[8]
    10. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Storing Your Flute

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  1. Step 1 Place the individual pieces into the case. 1 Place the individual pieces into the case. Make sure to always store your flute in the case. If you leave the flute out of the case it is more likely to get damaged. Do not store the wet cleaning cloth inside the case with the flute. This moisture could tarnish the flute.
    • Instead, place the cloth in an outer pouch on the case.
  2. Step 2 Store in a safe place. 2 Store in a safe place. Place your flute case in a closet, under your bed, or in a low traffic area of the house. You do not want the case to get knocked over or banged around. This could damage the flute inside.
  3. Step 3 Avoid storing your flute in extreme temperatures. 3 Avoid storing your flute in extreme temperatures. Extreme hot and cold temperatures can affect the mechanics of the flute as well as the pads and the cork inside of the top of the headjoint. Heat can expand it, destroying the top of the headjoint and coldness can shrink the cork, resulting in bad tone and tuning issues. Make sure you store your flute away from radiators or windows with direct sunlight.[9]
    4. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Caring for Your Flute

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  1. Step 1 Wash your hands and face before playing. 1 Wash your hands and face before playing. Your hands and mouth may have grease and oils on them that can be transferred to your flute while playing[10] . In order to reduce the amount of grease that comes in contact with your flute, wash your hands and face before playing. This will also reduce the amount of fingerprints that transfer to your flute.[11]
  2. Step 2 Remove any jewelry prior to playing. 2 Remove any jewelry prior to playing. Jewelry, especially rings, can scratch or damage the exterior of your flute while you are playing. To reduce this potential damage, remove your rings before you play the flute.
  3. Step 3 Get your flute serviced at least once a year. 3 Get your flute serviced at least once a year. A professional will be able to clean and adjust the keypads without causing damage to the instrument. They can also take apart the smaller pieces of the flute for cleaning, tuning, and repair. To properly maintain your instrument, you should have it serviced at least once per year.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question A friend played my flute when she had a cold. How can I disinfect it? Community Answer Community Answer You need to get a spray to clean your mouthpiece. It's called Giardinelli Magic Mist Hygienic Mouthpiece Cleaner. Spray it on your mouthpiece, and wipe it off with a soft cloth. This will disinfect your mouthpiece. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 65
  • Question How do I remove rust from a flute? Community Answer Community Answer You could try using some toothpaste on a piece of cloth and rubbing it in gently, but it is not recommended if the rust is near any keys or pads, as toothpaste literally destroys pads. Otherwise, just get it professionally cleaned, it only costs about $15. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 15 Helpful 68
  • Question How do I remove stains on a flute caused by oils on my hands? Community Answer Community Answer Use a microfiber cleaning cloth to wipe the oil off your flute. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 33
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

  • Serious flute players should own two cleaning cloths. Clean handkerchiefs work great, too. Thanks Helpful 187 Not Helpful 63
  • If you have a wooden flute or piccolo, consult an experienced player or repair person for additional advice regarding appropriate wood care and cork grease. Thanks Helpful 153 Not Helpful 63
  • If your pads begin to stick, take your flute to a professional cleaner for repair. Thanks Helpful 13 Not Helpful 2
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • If your keys make a sticky sound when you press them, but are not stuck, put a dollar bill in between the pad and the hole of the key. Close the key, then pull out the bill. Do not use normal paper, as it may tear.
  • Not only is it inportant to clean the outside of your flute, but it is mandatory to keep the inside clean in order to keep a beautiful tone!
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Never clean the body of a flute with any product that contains bleach. You will destroy the finish on the flute. The entire finish will lose its luster and shine. Thanks Helpful 122 Not Helpful 9
  • Woodwind instruments can't get wet! If you let your flute gets wet, the pads will swell up, and the flute won't play. Thanks Helpful 25 Not Helpful 4
  • Be careful not to bend any keys when you are dismantling the flute. Be especially careful when removing the foot-joint because it has a very complicated and delicate key connection that is easy to bend and is expensive to replace. Thanks Helpful 17 Not Helpful 2
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Things You'll Need

  • Cleaning rod
  • Cloth to clean inside the flute
  • Polishing cloth

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about playing the flute, check out our in-depth interview with Jennifer Slaughter.

References

  1. ↑ Jennifer Slaughter. Flute Expert. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ Jennifer Slaughter. Flute Expert. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ http://www.shinemusic.com.au/musicresources/maintain-flute.aspx
  4. ↑ Jennifer Slaughter. Flute Expert. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ http://www.shinemusic.com.au/musicresources/maintain-flute.aspx
  6. ↑ Jennifer Slaughter. Flute Expert. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ Jennifer Slaughter. Flute Expert. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ http://www.shinemusic.com.au/musicresources/maintain-flute.aspx
  9. ↑ https://www.jennifercluff.com/care.htm
More References (2)
  1. ↑ Jennifer Slaughter. Flute Expert. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ http://www.shinemusic.com.au/musicresources/maintain-flute.aspx

About This Article

Jennifer Slaughter Co-authored by: Jennifer Slaughter Flute Expert This article was co-authored by Jennifer Slaughter. Jennifer Slaughter is a Professional Flutist and Flute Instructor based in Spokane, WA. With over 15 years of experience, she is dedicated to sharing and teaching music with aspiring flutists. Jennifer is the founder of Jennifer Slaughter Flute Studio and provides online and in-person lessons to all ages. She also plays flute in the Spokane Symphony. This article has been viewed 431,915 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 75 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 431,915 Categories: Flute | Cleaning Musical Instruments Article SummaryX

You should clean and maintain your flute after each use. To clean it, gently unscrew the head-joint and foot-joint from the body of the flute, then wrap a soft cotton or microfiber cloth around your cleaning rod. Gently pass the cloth through each section of the flute, twisting the rod to ensure any moisture inside of the flute has been absorbed. Carefully polish the outside of the flute, including the keys, with a clean microfiber cloth. Avoid touching the key pads while you are cleaning, since they are easy to damage. To learn more, like how to properly store your flute when you aren't playing it, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Rebecca Donaldson

    Rebecca Donaldson

    May 24, 2017

    "I am doing a project on how to care for your flute. This was very helpful as I am a beginner and don't know..." more Rated this article:
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Jennifer Slaughter Co-authored by: Jennifer Slaughter Flute Expert Co-authors: 75 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 431,915 100% of readers found this article helpful. 1 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Rebecca Donaldson

Rebecca Donaldson

May 24, 2017

"I am doing a project on how to care for your flute. This was very helpful as I am a beginner and don't know..." more Rated this article: Anonymous

Anonymous

Sep 12, 2017

"How to clean the flute was the info that I was after, and this whole article answered that beautifully." Barbara Prochaska

Barbara Prochaska

Mar 23, 2021

"Washing face and hands and how to store the flute were particularly helpful to know." Lanette Smith

Lanette Smith

Nov 2, 2017

"Good details in the instructions and clear pictures." Tiyashaa R.

Tiyashaa R.

Jun 26, 2024

"It helped me so much." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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