A well-maintained flute not only looks great but also helps you sound your best and extends the life of your instrument. Here’s a quick guide on keeping your flute in tip-top shape!
Daily Cleaning:
Every time you play, moisture builds up inside your flute. If not cleaned properly, this moisture can cause damage the key pads, making them sticky and unable to close properly. Mildew and odor can can also build up inside the headjoint.
After each practice session:
Swab the inside with a cleaning rod and soft cloth to remove moisture. Always disassemble your flute first and clean each piece individually.
Wipe the exterior with a microfiber cloth to remove fingerprints and oils.
Occasionally:
Disinfect the head-joint by using a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip. You might want to do this if lip plate has any crusty build-up or perhaps after you have been sick.
When to Take Your Flute In for Maintenance
Did you know that flutes are kind of like cars? In addition to good day-to-day care, they still require yearly maintenance visits at a professional repair shop. It is recommended to take your flute to the shop every 1-2 years for a professional tune-up. In the flute world, we call this a “COA” or “Clean, Oil, and Adjust.”
At a COA appointment, the technician will…
Clean and polish the body and mechanism, removing any tarnish or discoloration
Inspect and replace any worn pads
Ensure the flute is free from leaks and has smooth key action (which makes it easier to play!)
Where to take your flute for a COA?
If you have a local music store in your area, call to make an appointment or sometimes you can even walk right in with the flute. They should be able to give you either a flat rate price for a COA or at least an estimate ahead of time. A full COA for a student flute is generally around $80-$150. Intermediate flutes and professional flutes would be more expensive.
If you don’t have anywhere to take your flute locally, you can ship it to one of these places:
The Flute Pro Shop:
(Wilmington, DE ):
https://www.fluteproshop.com/pages/contact-form
Music & Arts
(Locations across the country):
https://www.musicarts.com/repairs/flute?srsltid=AfmBOooyaim3DFyBCQqozAAvfwFezgJNGh8fbxkJgXkUjObna4R61GEZ
Flute Authority
(Ship your flute in for repair)
https://fluteauthority.com/services/
Flute Specialists
(Ship your flute in for repair)
https://www.flutespecialists.com/repair-service/
Flute Center
(ship your flute in for repair)
https://flutecenter.com/pages/repairs-page-new?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22102732052&gbraid=0AAAAADnrodkiIiLGG0c_EIuY1QjlzBf64&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_ZTUvKKAjQMVZZ5aBR2yfxf9EAAYASAAEgJUhvD_BwE