The capital E was a typo. My `shift` finger often lingers for too long after a capital. So I hope nobody misconstrues the meaning here. Thanks.

I just put up with some people....

(Joke!)

Ur not supposed to polish the inside of your flute? wow never knew that... how come?? It`s not just my case that smells, its the inside of my flute too, will spraying the case affect the smell of the flute??

Sometimes old cases take on odd smells that isn`t immediately apparent, but you could have a rotting pad... get a good look.

I would recommend keeping your flute outside of your case for a few days while playing and caring for it as usual. Keep it in a safe place and bundled in the same cloths and see if the smell goes away.

If the smell goes away take the opportunity to go case shopping!

The UV in sunlight, along with circulation of fresh air, greatly reduces many smells. Its amazing what a day outside on a washing line does to get rid of tobacco smells in clothing.

seems many of the cheap chinese flutes smell like something from under the hood of a car

If none of the suggestions mentioned above work, then you could always invest in a new case.

Is it a funky, moldy, mildewy smell? Or just musty?
If its just musty or an old case smell you can sprinkle in baking soda. Let it sit over night or a few hours. Vaccuum out and repeat a few times. Then make sure all powder and smell is gone put in the sun for a fresh sunny day smell.


If it is an extra moldy, mildewy, or rotten smell I would suggest a new case. Or you could use one VERY quick spray on fine mist setting, a few feet above case of Spray-9. Wipe totally dry after a minute, dont wait longer. The bottle sprays fast and alot, while you just need enough to get lining of case a little damp. Spray-9 kills whatever is growing, disinfects whatever is decaying. Then go back and do the baking soda trick.

And make sure your instrument is cleaned before you put back in case.

And totally dry means to let it sit probably over night after it feels dry. Spray-9 is not healthy when it has not evaporated.

It`s a kinda sour smell, hard to explain... I dont think my case is to blame, I have a pretty good quality yamaha case, Im pretty sure my cleaning cloth is to blame. It`s pretty darned old which is gross.