How to Clean a Recorder

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

The recorder is an instrument that has been around for centuries and is a popular first instrument due to its relative simplicity. Whether you own a plastic or wooden recorder, it’s important to clean the instrument regularly to prevent the airways from becoming blocked with dust and dirt, which will ruin the sound of the recorder. With some regular maintenance and the occasional deep-cleaning, your recorder will give you years of beautiful music!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Soaking and Scrubbing a Plastic Recorder

PDF download Download Article
  1. Always wash your hands with soap and warm water before you handle your recorder. This will help prevent dirt particles from building up inside of it. [1]
  2. Twist and pull the head joint gently until it loosens. Pull it off of the body of the recorder so that you have two separate pieces to clean. [2]
    • Plastic recorders can become blocked after some time because of the dirt that gets lodged inside as you play them. It’s important to maintain your recorder to keep it sounding nice. [3]
    • Always wash your hands and brush your teeth before playing your recorder. This will limit the amount of dirt that gets inside, so you will have to clean it less often.
    Advertisement
  3. Use mild dish detergent and a container large enough to fit the pieces of your recorder inside. The diluted detergent mixture with clean out the recorder as well as condition it to prevent dirt from building up as fast. [4]
    • You should never soak a wooden recorder.
  4. Put the pieces of your plastic recorder gently into the water and detergent solution. Remove it after 15 minutes and place the pieces onto a clean dry towel. [5]
    • If your recorder is not extremely dirty, you can soak it in one piece instead of taking it apart. [6]
  5. Push the bottle brush gently inside the bores of the pieces of your record and move it back and forth to remove any remaining dirt. [7]
    • If you don’t have a bottle brush you can use a soft cloth wrapped around a thin rod or needle. Many recorders come with a metal or plastic rod for cleaning, or you can use a long sewing or knitting needle.
  6. Rinse the pieces of the recorder out thoroughly over the sink then let the parts of your plastic recorder air dry completely on a clean towel. Twist the head joint gently back on to reattach it. [8]
    • Dry the recorder more quickly with a clean cloth wrapped around the cleaning rod to dry the inside, and rub the outside dry with a clean towel.
  7. The case will also protect your recorder from damage. Never store it in areas with high humidity or heat. [9]
    • Make sure the recorder is completely dry before you store it away in its case.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Cleaning a Wooden Recorder and Drying with a Rod

PDF download Download Article
  1. Clean out your recorder with a diluted detergent solution when dirt builds up. Rinse it out immediately with plain warm water.
    • Do not soak a wooden recorder as you would a plastic one.
  2. Wipe the outside of the recorder completely dry, then push a lint-free cloth inside with a cleaning rod to dry the inside. Leave it to air dry on a clean towel before you put it back in its case. [10]
    • Never let a wooden recorder stay wet for more than 15 minutes. If you let the recorder stay wet for too long you can damage the wood and finish.
  3. Make sure it is completely dry and then place it back in its case. Always store the case in a low-humidity area and away from high-heat areas. [11]
    • Don’t store the case in direct sunlight or near heat sources such as stoves. Try to store the case in a clean, dust-free area as well.
  4. Use the plastic or metal rod that came with your recorder or a long needle to push the cloth gently inside the recorder. Leave the recorder to air dry completely after you do this. [12]
    • Be careful not to jam the rod too hard against the block end with the mouthpiece of your recorder to avoid denting it.
    • Don’t use a fuzzy swab of any kind because this will leave lint inside of your recorder.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    You said to put the recorder back in its case after cleaning. What if the case that you store it in is dirty?
    Ruby
    Top Answerer
    If the case you store it in is dirty, it is time to clean it or buy a new one. In the meantime, you can wrap it in a pillowcase, or something else soft and keep it somewhere safe, preferably high up on a shelf (and not anywhere near a heat source or anywhere where it can be misplaced).
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 19
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Brush your teeth and wash your hands before you play the recorder.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Don’t eat blue cheese or other moldy cheeses before you play your recorder, or you can spread mold spores inside of your recorder.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Wooden recorders are harder to clean than plastic ones, so it is important to clean them after each use.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      The Best Way to Clean and Disinfect Your Harmonica
      The Best Way to Clean a Trumpet
      How to
      Clean a Trombone
      How to
      Clean a Guitar
      How to
      Clean and Maintain Your Flute
      How to
      Clean Guitar Strings
      How to
      Clean an Acoustic Guitar
      How to
      Clean a Piano
      How to
      Clean Your Clarinet's Mouthpiece
      How to
      Clean and Maintain a Clarinet
      How to
      Polish a Guitar
      How to
      Clean a Saxophone Mouthpiece
      How to
      Clean Ivory Piano Keys
      How to
      Clean a Violin
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.yamaha.com/en/musical_instrument_guide/recorder/maintenance/
      2. ↑ https://ourpastimes.com/how-to-clean-a-recorder-instrument-12248667.html
      3. ↑ https://ourpastimes.com/how-to-clean-a-recorder-instrument-12248667.html
      4. ↑ https://ourpastimes.com/how-to-clean-a-recorder-instrument-12248667.html
      5. ↑ https://ourpastimes.com/how-to-clean-a-recorder-instrument-12248667.html
      6. ↑ https://www.yamaha.com/en/musical_instrument_guide/recorder/maintenance/
      7. ↑ https://ourpastimes.com/how-to-clean-a-recorder-instrument-12248667.html
      8. ↑ https://ourpastimes.com/how-to-clean-a-recorder-instrument-12248667.html
      9. ↑ https://www.yamaha.com/en/musical_instrument_guide/recorder/maintenance/
      1. ↑ https://americanrecorder.org/care_of_your_wooden_recorder.php
      2. ↑ https://www.yamaha.com/en/musical_instrument_guide/recorder/maintenance/
      3. ↑ https://americanrecorder.org/care_of_your_wooden_recorder.php

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 66,827 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Ibolya

        May 2, 2022

        "I recently received my first wooden soprano recorder and want to take good care of it. Before I only played ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement