Instrument hire, care and purchasing

Instrument care

All instruments present a potential risk of contact transmission and should be kept clean and hygienic at all times. Please care for your instrument.

  • Brass instruments - it is extremely important to clean the mouthpiece using an appropriately-sized mouthpiece brush to remove all dirt and debris.
  • Recorders - can be cleaned in the top rack of a dishwasher.
  • Woodwind - do not immerse or soak woodwind instruments with cork joints or key work, as it may damage pads; this includes flute headjoints, as it will damage the headcork. After playing, woodwind instruments should be dried in and out with swabs or pull-throughs to limit microbial growth. 
  • String instruments - wipe the chin rests of violins or violas if preferred/desired. The neck and fingerboard and the lower end of the bow of all bowed strings can also be wiped.