Cleaning your trumpet can increase the lifespan of your instrument.Give your trumpet a bath every now and then, and make sure it's clean and in good shape between washes.If you notice something isn't right with your trumpet, it's a good idea to take it to a professional so they can fix it.
Step 1: Take your materials.
To clean your trumpet, you will need a large bin, bucket, or bath tub.To lay the horn on, you will need two long towels, a wash cloth, and a polishing cloth.A snake brush and pipe cleaner will be used to clean your trumpet.When you reassemble your trumpet, you will need valve oil and slide grease.Oil and grease can be found at an instrument or music store.Ask one of the workers what they would use for their instrument if you don't know what grease and oil to buy.There are kits online that are specifically created to clean trumpets and bass instruments.You can use an old cotton t-shirt or microfiber cloth if you don't have a polishing cloth.If using a shirt, make sure it is one that has been washed a lot and doesn't have any text on it.You don't want to ruin your instrument.Don't use a regular towel to dry your instrument.
Step 2: Remove the trumpet.
Remove the valves by removing the top valve caps.Take note of how they come out.If you see numbers 1-2 on them and they are facing towards the mouth, that's how you want to put them back.They should be placed on a towel how they came out.
Step 3:
As you take apart your trumpet, make sure you keep a record of how the pieces fit together.When you remove the valves, take a picture of how they are oriented.Each should have a number for the valve.The one closest to the mouth is valve one.Set aside the springs and valve felts.If the valve felts are soaked in water, it can affect their shape and performance.The springs can get wet.If your valves are not oiled, they can get stuck.If it is difficult to remove the parts and the slides, they may be stuck.This can damage your trumpet, so don't force them out.It's a good idea to take your trumpet to a professional so that they don't damage it.
Step 4: The bathtub needs to be filled.
Take some water and put it in your bathtub.The water in the tub should be filled with a few drops of dish soap.Plug the drain in the bath tub so the water doesn't run out.The trumpets finish can be damaged if the water is hot.Cold water can damage your trumpet, but it won't give you the most effective soaking.You can fill a bucket with water if you don't have a tub.If you want to play your trumpet in the water, make sure the bucket is long and deep.
Step 5: Place a towel in the tub.
If you put your trumpet in the tub, you don't want it to hit the hard surface.If you want to prevent it from getting banged up while you are cleaning it, place a towel down.Put one of your long towels at the bottom of the tub and spread it out so it covers the entire tub.
Step 6: The trumpet parts should be put down to soak.
The water flow should be stopped when the tub is halfway full.Put the trumpet and its parts in the water on the towel.Space them out so that they don't collide in the water.Allow them to soak for 20 minutes and then use the dish soap to clean them.It should be in hot water to clean better.
Step 7: The trumpet should be cleaned out.
You can begin to clean your trumpet after it has soaked.The insides of your slides should be cleaned using your snake brush and pipe cleaners.You can run your brushes through the valves.It's a good idea to spend some time cleaning out the tubing.You'll want to clean it out thoroughly because it gets a lot of build up.It will be better to keep it cleaner after playing.
Step 8: The exterior should be cleaned with a cloth.
Take your trumpet out of the water.If you want to get it soaking wet, you have to dip it in the tub.Rub the exterior of your trumpet with a cloth to clean it of dirt and dust.Make sure you don't brush too much as this can make marks.
Step 9: Don't wash the pieces.
Remove the drain from the tub after you have cleaned and scrubbed your pieces.When the water starts to drain, turn the faucet back on and rinse your pieces under water.There is a towel on the floor.Place the piece on the towel after you have washed it.
Step 10: You can lightly dry your pieces by using the polishing cloth.
If you want to avoid creating scuff marks on your trumpet, make sure you use a cloth that won't scratch it.Take the cloth and wipe down your instruments.Allow them to air dry the rest of the way by putting them back down on the towel.Air drying them creates less risk of damaging your instrument.If you want them to dry inside, you can either place them in a sunny area or give them a few more hours.Make sure your valves are completely dried out.You don't want the valves to get wet as this will cause them to lose their shock-Absorbing ability.Allow the vales to air dry even more by wiping the inside and outside of them down.
Step 11: Put your instrument in the oil.
After your trumpet has dried completely, you can put it back together as long as it's not too wet.Before the valves, put the slides in.Some slide grease will benefit the main tuning and 2nd slides.You can use a slide oil if you have a 1st and/or third slide.If you want to install the valves, oil them liberally.Place them gently.orient them how they came outThe metal or plastic guide will "click" into place.If you hear the valve guide go into place, you can gently rotate the valves.Grease can be put on the threads of the valve caps to make it easier to remove.Make sure you don't cake the oil and grease on as this can cause build up and hinder the performance of your instrument.The slides and valves can be put back together.If you want to avoid excessive wear, try not to rotate the valve when you put it back in.Wait until you hear a "click" to insert it.
Step 12: Be respectful with it.
When brass instruments are damaged they are more difficult to play.When you can, put your instrument back in its case or on your lap.The valves or slides can stick if you Dent your instrument.If this happens to your instrument, you should take it to a repair store.
Step 13: Apply oil to the valve.
It should be done every day or two.Paying attention to how the valves fit will allow you to properly insert them back in.Put three to five drops of oil on each valve.When your valves are sticking, place it back in its case and repeat a few times a week.
Step 14: It needs to be wiped down regularly.
If you want to keep your trumpet clean, try to wipe it down daily with a microfiber cloth.The areas where you hold the trumpet should be wiped down.Between washes, this will help keep the trumpet clean.It's best to wash the cloth once a month.It needs to be cleaned along with your trumpet because it will absorb oils and grease.It won't get the job done if you use a dirty cloth.
Step 15: You need to empty the spit from your tuning slide after playing.
Remove the third valve tubing if you don't have a third spit valve.While holding down all three valves, blow a few times to remove as much water as possible.If you have a lead pipe, you should wash it.
Step 16: Every month, wash your instrument.
While you want to wipe your instrument down frequently, it will still need a deep cleaning every month or so.Depending on how often you use your trumpet, give it a "bath" once a month or every other month.This will allow the trumpet to perform at its best and keep it in the best condition.