Cleaning and maintenance of woodwind instruments is of great importance few musicians are aware of.A common woodwind instrument can be decreased to a quarter of its lifetime if not receive necessary treatment.Here is a general overview over simple maintenance for the most common instruments.

Mouthpieces

Because of condens,food,candy etc. every mouthpiece is exposed for rust and other less attractive coating on the inside.Therefore , it is important to clean regularly.The mouthpieces is decisive for the sound in the instrument and if this is bad the sound get bad.Watch out for notches or other small errors on the mouthpiece,while this can harm lips or destroy the pitch.
Mouthpieces of brass instruments should be put in lukewarm soap water and cleaned with a small bottle brush or pipe-cleaner.The best option is of course to get a mouthpiece brush.
Mouthpiece of woodwind instruments shall not be cleaned,but only be dried with a cloth.Make sure the chamber under the chip is clean,and dont damage/scratch.Musicians should themselves provide new chips.

Flute

Flute for sale is also a woodwind instrument, even if most flutes today consists of metal.The flutes have matching flaps as saxophone and clarinet and demands proportionate caution and maintenance.Its stricktly prohibited try and repair something by yourself if you are not an expert.

Clarinet

A clarinets selmer for instance demands the same measures as for saxophone, but are maybe even more exposed for damages if you do not make sure to dry out the instrument entirely,especially in the winter time.Remember ,a clarinet is made of wood which is influated of dry and moist air.A clarinets selmer must never be put in a bath.All adjustment,lubrication and repair must be done by a workshop or an expert.

Saxophone

Alto sax yamaha for instance consist of a significant number of moving parts and they are very exposed for damages.It is important the instrument is dried through after every session.On all the flaps there is small pillows.These dries out over time and must be replaced.It is important you do not give the instrument a bath,because the pillows might loosen or be destroyed.All adjustment,lubrication and repair ,must be done by an expert or a workshop.

Buying woodwind instruments online demands extra maintenance as you do not know how the previous owner has treated his/hers instrument.