Daily Care
After you are finished playing remove excess moisture from the inside of the flute by attaching an absorbent cloth (cotton or silk is best) to a cleaning rod and passing it through the instrument.
Carefully wipe off the outside of the flute, including the lip plate, tenons and keys (be careful to not apply too much pressure and bend them) with a polishing cloth to to remove oils from your hands.
Store your flute in its case when you are finished playing to prevent tarnish and damage. Never place anything on top of the flute in its case, this can bend the keys and require a technicians help to fix.
If your are experiencing sticky pads, you can purchase “pad papers” to absorb some of the excess moisture. We do not recommend treated pad papers as they can be harmful to the pads.
Monthly / Yearly Care
Check screws and pivots to see if they are coming loose. You can also check the placement of the lead cork with the end of the cleaning rod (the line inscribed at the bottom should be visible in the center of the hole. If anything is out of alignment, it is recommended you see a technician for repairs.
At least once a year, we recommend bringing your instrument to a technician for adjustments to keep your flute in prime condition.
Do Not:
- Run water through the flute or submerse it in water.
- Turn the screws found on the top of some of the keys – these are adjustment screws and should not be tightened or loosened by the player.
- Use materials, oils, or other products not specifically designed for use in flute maintenance.
- Consume sugary food/drink before playing. These are harmful to your flute pads and food particles can accumulate inside the instrument, causing sticky pads and promoting bacteria growth. It is always a good idea to rinse your mouth thoroughly before playing.
- Expose your instrument to extreme temperatures as it can cause damage.
- Attempt cleaning flute pads by removing “pad papers” while maintaining pressure on the keys, this can cause pads to tear.