How to Clean the Trumpet

How to Clean the Trumpet (pictures coming soon!)

Daily Wipe Down

You should wipe off your trumpet at the end of each day using the Ultra-Pure microfiber polishing cloth. Gently wipe all the surfaces, especially where you hold the horn. Wipe off any water spots. The microfiber cloth will soak up oils and grease and should be washed once a month. If you have a silver plated trumpet, you can use a silver polishing cloth to remove tarnish about once a week. This cloth is available at your music store. Use it to wipe the outside of the instrument only.

Bath Time

You should give your trumpet a bath about every month or two to keep it in the best condition. It only takes about 30 minutes to do a good job.

Carefully pull out the main tuning slide and the three valve slides. Wipe off any grease on slides with a paper towel. Remove the bottom valve caps. If they are stuck, try using a rubber jar opener, not pliers. Also wipe off the bottom valve caps with the paper towel. Then remove the three valves. They are numbered 1, 2, and 3. When you pull out the valves, check which way the number faces, the mouthpiece or bell end. When you put the valves back, they will face the same way.

Put a rubber mat or a towel in a tub or large sink and fill it with lukewarm water. Add some lemon-scented dishwashing liquid detergent (about a tablespoon is enough). Gently immerse the trumpet, the slides, the bottom valve caps, and your mouthpiece. Put some of the soapy water in a glass and immerse the valves, keeping the felts dry. Let everything soak for 10 minutes or more.

Run the snake through the leadpipe and all the trumpet body tubing several times. Run it down the bell and around the back bend. Use the snake to clean the insides of the tuning slide and the valve slides. Don't force the snake if it does not bend around the tubing easily.

Scrub the valve casings from the top and from the bottom with the valve casing brush. Clean the bottom valve caps carefully to remove all the residues. Finally, clean the mouthpiece with the mouthpiece brush. Drain the tub or sink and rinse all the parts completely. Let them dry on a towel. 

Clean the valves

Gently clean the valve ports with soapy water using the snake brush or the valve casing brush. Scrub the valve surface with soapy water using the valve casing brush or an old toothbrush. Be careful not to scratch the valve surface. Wash the valves with plenty of clean water and let them dry on a towel.

Lubricate the slides

Put a small amount of Ultra-Pure Regular Tuning Slide Lube on your finger and rub it onto the slide. Insert the slide all the way and wipe off any excess lube with a paper towel. If you are used to moving the first and third valve slides quickly for more accurate tuning, you should use Ultra-Pure Light Tuning Slide Lube on these slides. Also, rub a little slide lube on the top and bottom valve casing threads. Slides should be lubed about once a week or two.  See these tips on How To Oil or Grease Tuning Slides.

Oil the valves

Hold the valve over a sink, cloth or newspaper and coat it with plenty of Ultra-Pure Professional Valve Oil.  Carefully put it back into the casing and make sure the valve "clicks" into place, facing the right direction. When putting the valve back in its casing, do not rotate it since this can cause excessive wear. Screw the bottom valve caps back on.

Now that the trumpet is back together, you should be able to blow air gently through the leadpipe while pressing each valve down one at a time. If air stops, you have one or more valves mixed up or facing the wrong direction.

Reapply valve oil every day or two

You should oil your valves every day or two. Just unscrew the valve and pull it up and out of the casing. Coat the valve with oil and carefully put it back in the casing.  See these tips on How to Oil Trumpet Valves.

Treat your instrument gently

Be gentle with your instrument. It is dented easily and dents make the instrument harder to play or can cause valves or slides to stick. Keep the horn in your hands, on your lap, or in the case. Not on the bed, a chair, or on the floor. If the instrument gets a dent, or if your mouthpiece gets stuck, take it to a music store to be repaired professionally.