How to Care for a Flute: Basic Tips You Should Know

Your flute will last longer and delight you with a perfect sound if you care for it properly. In this article, we will share the basic care tips to extend the life of your instrument and get more joy from practice. 

Why Cleaning Your Flute Regularly is Important 

Even if you play just for five minutes, condensation already builds up inside your instrument. If you leave your flute uncleaned, the accumulated condensation can soon become the environment for mold. 

The moisture that gets underneath key pads can lead to their deterioration and make them wear out faster. Therefore, you should clean your flute after every playing session to prevent bacterial growth and condensation accumulation. 

By caring for your flute properly, you keep it in the best playing condition and if one day you decide to sell it, you can get a much better price for a well-maintained instrument. 

Essential Cleaning Accessories for Your Flute

Here is what you need to keep your flute in the best condition both from the inside and outside: 

• a wooden cleaning rod (the wooden tools don’t scratch the instrument);
• a cleaning cloth;
• a microfiber towel or polishing cloth (if you have a silver-finished flute, ensure you use the cloth for this particular finish to avoid scratches);
• cleaning paper for removing moisture from the keys (for those who play very frequently).

How to Clean Flute from the Inside? 

1. Disassemble your flute and clean every part of it.
2. Take a pull through cloth. Drop its string into the middle joint of your instrument and let it come out of the bottom. Pull the string with the cloth through. Do this gently without too much force.
3. Look inside the instrument and check if any dirt or condensation is left. If there is still some residue, pull the cloth through one more time.
4. Repeat the same steps with the foot joint. Ensure you carefully handle the keys to avoid damaging them.
5. To clean the headjoint, use the cleaning rod. Take a corner of the cloth, string it through the cleaning rod and insert it into the headjoint. Twist the rod with the cloth inside this flute part. Avoid twisting the cleaning rod quickly to avoid damage to the cork. Do it gently and then pull out. Check that no dirt remains.
6. Pay attention to pads. Avoid leaving moisture and dirt on the keys. Especially keep them clean from sugar-containing food. If a key feels sticky, clean it with a special blotting paper.

How to Clean Flute from the Outside

After each practice session, you can notice many fingerprints on the flute surface in all areas where you have touched it. To remove those finger smudges, use a soft microfiber cloth. Wipe the instrument down until the surface is clean. 

Also, ensure you service your flute once a year. The specialists can clean your keys, replace the pads and check all the mechanisms if necessary. If you ignore regular servicing, many issues may arise unexpectedly and prevent you from playing the instrument properly. Moreover, such ignorance can pay off with costly repairs when you need it the least. 

Tips on Storing Your Flute

Let’s talk about how you can store your instrument to avoid serious damage. 

• Select a climate-controlled environment. It can be any room with stable temperatures.
• However, avoid storing your instrument in the attics or basements.
• Store your flute in a case with a good insulation from temperature changes. The best option is using a hard case with a padded interior or a padded gig bag.
• Do not leave your instrument exposed to direct sunlight for a long period as UV rays heat the instrument and negatively impact its finish.
• Monitor humidity level in your storage area. It should stay at 40-60%. 

How to Travel with a Flute 

No matter whether you travel a short distance in your town or around the country, in both ways you need a reliable case to protect your instrument from drops, shocks, and moisture. At the market, you can find a few options: 

• Flute Hard Cases. They are specially designed containers providing the instrument and its accessories with high-level protection on the road and during travel on short distances. Literally, it’s the first line of defense for a flute's delicate mechanism. Their primary function is to safeguard your flute from shocks, humidity, moisture, and temperature changes. 
• Flute Bags. Although a hard case is your must-have, carrying it by hand isn't always comfortable. Flute bags complemented with steady handles and shoulder straps can easily resolve this issue. These soft cases featuring canvas, nylon, or genuine leather exteriors, serve as additional barriers against environmental impacts. They provide essential thermal insulation and shock absorption. 
• Flute Backpacks. It’s an alternative to bags for flutists with an active lifestyle. A flute backpack typically features a main compartment where you can carry a C or B flute and a piccolo flute, and pockets for accessories, including a large one for sheet music or laptop. 

It depends on your needs, lifestyle, and taste, which option to choose. However when exploring various flute cases and bags, ensure the preferred option has a high-quality weatherproof layer that will protect your instrument from temperature changes when you move from the outside into the room and vice versa. It's especially significant for musicians travelling around the world as temperature fluctuations affect the tuning of your instrument. It’s also important to check if a bag provides enough pockets for accessories such as a tuner, music stand, sheet music, and other gear. 

Final Thoughts 

The playability and aesthetic of your flute depends mostly on how properly you care for it. Your instrument requires thorough cleaning from inside to remove moisture and prevent mold growth. Also, regular polishing is important to remove fingerprints from the surface and maintain it in the best condition. With a well-designed flute bag you can provide security for your flute during travel, protecting it from temperature changes, drops, and other negative impacts. 

Explore a full range of flute accessories designed by our company to improve your travel experience. 

Recently we have told our readers about the Best Flute Accessories for Protection and Comfort. Feel free to check this article and take note of useful essentials to enhance your comfort and practice.