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How to Wash Out a Trombone

Regardless of its player̵7;s ability, a poorly maintained trombone will inevitably sound worse than one that has been cared for. Washing a trombone is a simple process and one that is worth getting into the habit of, as it will greatly extend the instrument̵7;s life. While the mouthpiece needs a daily clean, the trombone as a whole only needs washing every few weeks to keep it in good playing condition.

Things You'll Need

Small bristly brush
Paper towel
Trombone cleaning snake
Mild detergent

Instructions

- 1
  Take the mouthpiece out of the trombone and give it a scrub using a bristly brush and some warm water. This will remove any material that has been expelled from the mouth and adhered to the surface of the metal. Dry the mouthpiece using a paper towel. Clean the mouthpiece every day or before playing.
- 2
  Remove the trombone̵7;s slide and rinse it through a few times using warm water. Insert the trombone cleaning snake into the slide to remove any well-established grime. If one wasn̵7;t supplied with the instrument, they can be bought from a local music store. Repeat this process at least once a week.
- 3
  Fill a bathtub with lukewarm water and a mild detergent. Put the trombone in the bathtub and leave it to soak for approximately 10 minutes. Use the trombone cleaning snake to scrub the inside of the trombone, making sure to get all the way around the slide̵7;s curves. Scrub the outer slide separately from the inner slide by removing it first. Rinse the trombone through with cold water and then dry using paper towels. Repeat this process once every few weeks.

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