For any brass or woodwind player, keeping your instrument clean is essential for both sound quality and health. Instruments naturally collect food particles, bacteria, fungi, mould and general grime simply because you blow into them. This is especially important if the instrument has been hired or hasn’t been played for a while. While basic cleaning can be done at home with water, brushes and mild solutions, ultrasonic cleaning delivers far superior results.

Traditional cleaning methods often relied on acid‑based or harsh chemical treatments to break down limescale and deposits left behind as moisture evaporates. Over time, this build‑up restricts airflow, affects valve and key performance, and the acids and sugars in saliva can contribute to corrosion. The chemicals used to remove these deposits can also be harmful to the musician, the instrument and the environment.

Our ultrasonic cleaning machines are medical‑grade and suitable for all types of instruments, including clarinets, flutes, cornets, flugelhorns and trumpets, as well as mouthpieces, tuning slides and valves. The instrument is fully disassembled and placed into the ultrasonic tank, where high‑frequency sound waves (40,000 per second) create microscopic bubbles in the water — a process known as cavitation. These bubbles reach into the smallest crevices, removing dirt, limescale and residue without damaging the metal.

Using a mixture of tap water and environmentally friendly water‑soluble detergents, the ultrasonic cleaner reaches every curve, nook and hidden area of the instrument. This is the same technology used to clean medical, optical and dental tools. Once the cleaning cycle is complete, all parts are rinsed thoroughly to remove any loosened contaminants. The results are remarkable — components come out looking almost new, helping to prolong the life and value of the instrument.
The final stage is to lubricate, reassemble and hand‑polish the instrument, returning it to you in excellent playing condition.
The ultrasonic clean can be added to any repair job or booked as a stand‑alone service — please enquire.