Good god!
Do you have any idea what is in them? Alo Vera? Lanoline? ....

I would not use anything unles I KNEW what it was and what it would do, both short term and long term.

Just because something is suitable for baby does not mean it is suitable for flute. The surfaces are rather different! Next thing we`ll be shampooing our flutes with baby shampoo, or washing the case in Nappy San. Just joking, but urea is quite good for reducing tarnish! LOL!

Baby wipes are great for a lot of things, but you`ll notice that they leave film on a surface. I know they they a film on glass, so I`m pretty sure it`ll be the same with a flute. As far as Arak`s "suggestion"....I think I`ll stick to a water dampen cotton cloth!! But let me know if that works for you!?!

As to KC`s suggestion, I think that I will use the alcohol wipes.

I don`t know about you guys, but I don`t like the sound of smearing isopropyl alcohol all over my instrument (I play sax). There is a much better solution, and it gets the finger oil off of the metal relatively easy, and it doesn`t damage the metal at all.

Selmer makes a whole line of accessories designed specifically for their instruments, many of which come with the instrument when it is purchased. When I got my Serie II alto saxophone, one particular accessory that was included was a special cloth designed specifically to clean the finish of finger oils. It works wonders! Every time I practice, I just give my sax a light wipe with this cloth, and all the oil comes off.

Any instrument retailer that sells Selmer instruments will most likely have this. It doesn`t just have to be used for saxophones, either. Any metal wind instrument is compatible.

If any of you guys don`t already have something like this, I recommend you get one immediately. The salt in your sweat will corrode the finish of your instrument over time, and no matter how many times you wash your hands before you play, you cannot avoid getting some on the instrument. Your body constantly produces sweat to keep your body temperature constant, and keep your skin hydrated. It is very important to take care of the finish by cleaning it every time you play. It is sometimes okay to leave it for a day, but if you are not planning on playing it for a while, then cleaning the finish with said cloth is absolutely necessary.

Thomas

I think any decent cotton cloth of the appropriate texture should work well to clean the flute.

The Yamaha Flute cleaning kit is a good bundle with a nice outside and inside cleaning cloths as well as tone hole and pad cleaners.

The Selmer kit is okay. It comes with the inside and outside cleaning cloth, but also a brush and key oil. I don`t think you should be oiling your flute yourself and that brush can easily scratch the finish of your flute if you try to dust with it. I do find the unscented key oil works wonders for squeaky door and cabinet hinges!

If you`re not too hot on bundles the Flute World treated (better) or untreated (good) cleaning cloths work great for the outside of the flute and the Sweet Heart Gauze cloth is ***WONDERFUL*** for swabbing the inside of your flute.

I currently use the Wirkala micro-fiber cloths on the outside of the flute, but I don`t think they work as well as the un-treated Flute world cleaning cloths. Though the Wirkala coths look really nice in and of themselves and are really big (can envelop the flute body). I prefer the Wirkala only because they look so darn nice.

I don`t see what is wrong with using alcohol. It does not hurt the body of your flute at all. It lift up oil and cleans the body at the same time. Unlike just smearing it around with a cloth. Whatever ones likes, I guess...

Actually, this particular cloth doesn`t "smear" it around. It actually picks it up and holds in in the cloth. That`s why it was developed specifically for its intended purpose.

I guess there`s nothing wrong with wiping the finish with isopropyl alcohol. I wouldn`t do it, because I already have this special cloth (which I have already praised way too much), and because cleaning my sax with an alcohol swab is just way too much work.

Thomas

There`s nothing wrong with the alcohol method at all. I just don`t like to deal with wet stuff when cleaning my flute at all if I don`t have to.

The flute cleaning cloths available work wonders (especially treated) compared to using a shirt cloth, even if they are both just cotton.

I use a Selvyt® SR Universal Polishing Cloth.
http://www.selvyt.com/default.htm

Perhaps a bit traditional, but these have proved themselves over many decades in the silversmithing and jewellery trades. They consist of a lint-free, velvet-like cotton fabric with an extremely fine cut pile. They last for a VERY long time, and when they no longer clean finger marks off very successfully, they need a wash in the washing machine.

Note that impregnated cloths may be fine for jewellery, but jewellery does not have high-precision mechanism with lubricants present. Impregnated cloths usually contain material that is either corrosive to steel parts, or slightly abrasive powder. Ideally, neither should not be allowed anywhere near this precision mechanism.

That is why I use the impregnated cloths only on special occasions, when I want to remove tarnish. I keep their use to a minimum.

or more information on silver care, take a look at: http://www.silversmithing.com/care.htm
But remember, that the info here does not take flute mechanism into account.

I wonder if these cloths are available in the US? I didn`t notice a price list, so I have no idea if there is something comparable in the US, or how much they`d cost. Any ideas?

You could try any place that supplies equipment to the jewelry & silversmithing trades, or ask a local manufacturing jeweller.

Thanks, I will.