Maintain a Polished Performance—Clean That Brass

April 1, 2026

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Brass and woodwind players create versatile, dynamic music. Generating that sound gives their lungs a serious respiratory workout so it’s critical that players maintain a clean instrument. It’s not the glamorous part of the job—think of a trumpeter’s spit valve and the excessive moisture that collects in a clarinet mouthpiece—but consider the cleaning as part of flawless execution.

Blowing into the instrument creates a warm, moist environment where bacteria and pathogens easily breed. It’s something players are told in junior high school—clean your instrument! But, from time to time, even the most seasoned players may neglect this practice. 

“Saxophone lung” is a condition caused by mold spores that can multiply and colonize the sax. If a player is allergic to the bacteria, they will most likely experience unhealthy reactions over time, such as a persistent cough where there may not be an obvious cause. If impurities accumulate extensively on the mouthpiece and the neck it will ultimately affect playing and tone, owing to the roughness created on the instrument’s surfaces.

Beyond that, and most important, there is the potential long-term risk an unclean saxophone poses to the player’s health. Built-up yeast and mold will cause the immune system to revolt causing inflammation of the lung tissue, and eventually, hypersensitivity pneumonitis which, although treatable, over time, can cause irreversible lung damage. Another example is “trombone lung” or “bagpipe lung.”

Respiratory tract conditions are the obvious effect of pathogens lingering in the instrument, but hundreds of types of bacteria can proliferate—many of which are capable of producing local infections in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, or skin, as well as allergic reactions.

Swab, Don’t Swipe

All wind instruments should be swabbed on the inside after each use. In most cases, mouthpieces can be safely washed in warm water and dish soap. Brass instruments should be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned and washed according to manufacturer suggestions. This removes the moisture from the inside, which can help prevent mold. For a deeper clean, dab alcohol—either rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol—on the cloth before threading it inside the instrument. Isopropyl alcohol wipes are safe for most materials. They are not recommended for use on hard rubber mouthpieces or wood. Damp reeds should be dried out thoroughly before being stored. 

Woodwind instruments can be tricky to clean. It’s a good idea to use a soft rag to wipe down the keys and body of the instrument after every use, and to pull the silk cleaning cloth through the main body of the instrument to clear away moisture. Moving parts require lubrication to function properly. Apply a small amount of cork grease to the cork joints or bore oil to the appropriate areas, following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Use of excessive amounts can lead to unwanted residue buildup.

The part of a woodwind instrument that collects the most germs is the mouthpiece. Clarinet and sax mouthpieces can be cleaned with soap and water after the reed and ligature have been removed. The reed can be sanitized by soaking in hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes. Avoid using cleaning chemicals on a woodwind instrument, and never get it wet. Flute mouthpieces can be cleaned with brass mouthpiece spray.

Piece by Piece

Brass instruments can be cleaned piece by piece with soap and warm water. Take the instrument apart and set the valve caps and felt pieces aside. Submerge each slide in soapy water and gently run a bottle brush or cleaning snake through each tube. Dry with a soft cloth.

Repeat with each valve. After drying, apply slide grease, making sure that each slide is thoroughly lubricated before putting the horn back together. There are a variety of alcohol brass mouthpiece sprays available to keep your mouthpiece sanitary and smelling fresh.

Flutes and saxophones have pads that require extra care during cleaning. To clean these pads, insert a piece of pad cleaning paper between each pad and gently close it. Carefully pull the paper out, removing any moisture or debris. Repeat this process for all pads.  

Use a microfiber cloth to gently polish the exterior surfaces. Avoid using abrasive or chemical-based polishes. A gentle rub with a dry microfiber cloth should suffice to restore its luster.

Prevent the Spread of Viruses

What’s the difference between sterilization and disinfection of musical instruments? Once an instrument is exposed to air or handled, it is no longer sterile. Disinfecting an instrument to make it safe to handle will last longer and is easier to achieve. Most viruses, like COVID-19, have a limited lifespan on hard surfaces.

Material	Recommended Disinfectant	What to Avoid
Lacquer/Silver (Brass)	Mild soap and water, 70% Isopropyl alcohol	Bleach, abrasive cleaners
Finished Wood	Specialized wood cleaner, damp (not wet) microfiber	High-concentration alcohol (dries out wood)
Unfinished Wood (Fretboards)	Lemon oil or mineral oil	Water, alcohol, soaps
Plastic/Resin	70% Isopropyl alcohol, soap and water	High-heat sterilization (warps plastic)
Mouthpieces	Mouthpiece spray, soap and lukewarm water	Boiling water (can discolor/warp hard rubber)

 

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