You can clean a sax with water by using warm water, a pull-through swab, and even a small toothbrush or pad cleaning sheet. There are various methods for each of the saxophone parts, but you can clean them with water. A saxophone is one of the most complex and fine-tuned instruments in the woodwind family.
You can substitute a bottle brush or even a small toothbrush. Run cold or lukewarm water through the mouthpiece, then pull a clean, lint-free cloth through the mouthpiece to dry and remove any particles missed by the brush. Soaking in antiseptic mouthwash or detergent is helpful for particularly dirty mouthpieces.
Mold is highly toxic. Throw the case out immediately. Have the sax completely disassembled, rip all pads, felts and corks off off. Bathe the body,neck and keys in antiseptic-chemical solution to kill the mold.
If you have an unlacquered horn then it's best to not use any products to clean it except a cloth or some cold soapy water for a proper clean. Remember part of the charm with older horns (and the sound – more on that later) comes from the aged look of the brass.
Your best bet is to soak in warm soapy water, use Ivory Dish washing soap, let it sit for 5 minutes, then use a toothbrush to loosen the white chalk like powder. English distilled turpentine [affil. link to info/product on Amazon] also works wonderful in cleaning crevices.
In these instances, you'll need brass polish (rub some onto a soft cloth, wipe in an upwards motion, rinse with water, and dry) to keep your faucetry looking its best. Depending on how much of a patina you want, unlacquered brass kitchen faucets can be polished twice a year or as often as once a month.
Mix together 1/2 cup of vinegar, a teaspoon of salt, and a sprinkling of flour until it forms a paste. Spread the mixture on the brass and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Rinse with cool water and dry. (This method also works on corroded brass.)
For basic maintenance and to make unlacquered brass shine without stripping away the patina, Anthony Cassano of Greenwich Metal, in Stamford, Connecticut, recommends using polish-soaked cloths, such as Cape Cod Metal-polishing Cloths ($20 for 12, capecodpolish.com).
To prevent tarnishing, a thin coating of linseed oil or mineral oil can be applied to clean brass with a soft terry towel. Many brass objects are protected with a lacquer finish and should only be cleaned with hot, soapy water.
Brass/bronze oxidizes (the surface gets a greenish hue) if it isn't plated, PU-coated or varnished.
Generally, brass corrodes when the zinc, copper and tin components of brass alloy are exposed to water. In addition to the impact of water, exposure to mercury and ammonia can also cause brass corrosion.
Mix baking soda and white vinegar together to create a paste. It'll fizz for a minute, but will quickly settle down. Then, rub the paste into the copper or brass object that you wish to clean, using your hands or an old toothbrush. Let it sit for 30 minutes or so.
If you do decide to polish your saxophone, wipe it down first with a cloth that's lightly dampened with rubbing alcohol. This will remove any oil or dirt that's accumulated on the outside of the instrument.
Metal polish and brass soap work well to remove rust and clean the inside of the bell. However, there is a key on the bell, so be very careful not to get any polish or soap on the pad. Any music store should carry all of these items, so please visit your local music store if you need them.
Should you use Brasso to clean your saxophone? Since the sax is made from brass, you may be wondering if you can use Brasso on it. Brasso can also remove the lacquer from your horn so best to steer clear of this metal cleaner. Use furniture polish, Pledge, or even carnuba wax for some extra shine instead.
Make a lukewarm soap solution. Wrap the cork section of neck with adhesive tape to protect it from the water. Apply some soap solution to the saxophone neck brush and scrub the inside of the neck. Run some clean water through the neck to rinse.
12. How long will a saxophone last my child? A decent instrument that is well cared for and regularly maintained should last for several years. Many students progress right through their grades on a decent student instrument some progressing to university level.
Silver saxophones should be cleaned with a silver polishing cloth as long as they aren't lacquered. Lacquered silver saxophones should be cleaned with a musician's lacquer polish. It's crucial not to use brass cleaner on silver saxophones since it is much more abrasive and can cause damage.
well, saxophones are made of non ferrous materials (generally brass) so they cannot rust but they can oxidise. Most saxophones are, like yours, lacquered and you can have some metal oxidation under the lacquer.
