 The Fingering Forum
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Author: pnut
Date: 2004-07-02 21:34
Can anyone tell me how to sterilize a flute?
Thanks. 
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Author: Marielle
Date: 2004-07-02 22:24
What do you mean by "sterilize"? Like, as in make it clean for someone else to play on? For the lip plate, a SMALL drop of denatured alcohol on a cloth will do fine... just be careful, since it's toxic and can stain. My flute teacher says it's okay to play on right afterward, but I like to wait a bit, because of the whole toxic thing. I clean my entire flute with it, by the way. Just remember to use small amounts.
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Author: pnut
Date: 2004-07-03 02:54
Yes, I mean cleaning it after someone else has played it. I play clarinet and I use a mouthpiece cleanser that I can spray on the mouthpiece to sterilize it. I have purchased a flute and wasn't sure how to make sure it is sterilized to play on. The cleanser I have is just 70% alcohol. What is denatured alcohol?
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Author: Amanda
Date: 2004-07-03 05:07
That cleanser should be just fine. Otherwise you can use regular rubbing alcohol.
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Author: pnut
Date: 2004-07-03 18:47
Regular rubbing alcohol won't hurt/discolor the lip plate? Just checking.....I don't know a thing about flute yet! Thanks
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Author: Amanda
Date: 2004-07-03 19:08
Nope, it should be fine. Just keep any liquids away from the pads, especially anything with alcohol in it. It can misshape them and cause them to warp.
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Author: amanda
Date: 2004-07-04 02:25
you can use the mouthpiece cleaner on the flute mouthplate. use can also by germicide at the music store
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Author: Marielle
Date: 2004-07-04 20:59
pnut: I'm not really sure. I know you can use it to thin paint and clean silver, lol. You could probably find it at a hardware store.
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Author: dboe
Date: 2004-07-05 03:05
I wouldn't recommend putting alcohols or cleaning agents on your flute, as this can cause severe damage. for one things it's not like the instrument becomes slathered with "cooties" from someone else, unless they are spitting into the flute. It's only a small portion of the mouthplate. To clean, Use a soft cloth with a little bit of antibacterial soap (i.e. Softsoap) and some warm tap water. Since you're putting your mouth on it, I wouldn't suggest alcohol, unless you're trying to get tipsy! :P
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Author: Amanda
Date: 2004-07-06 04:02
Rubbing alcohol is a diluted alcohol that can be used to STERILIZE. Using a small amount on a tissue or cotton ball WILL NOT hurt your flute. You can use it to sterilize your lip plate or even to clean the body of the flute. The only way it could damage the flute is if you use excessive amounts or getting it near any pads or corks.
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