Nothing’s worse than a trumpet that smells bad, has stuck valves, or tuning slides that won’t budge. Cleaning your trumpet can feel intimidating with so many parts to disassemble and reassemble, and doing it wrong might cause damage. This guide will show you exactly how to clean your trumpet safely and easily, step by step
How to Clean a Trumpet for Beginners
To clean a trumpet, disassemble all parts and submerge them in lukewarm water to avoid damaging the lacquer. Use a flexible snake brush to scrub the tubing, a tube brush for slides, and a mouthpiece brush for the mouthpiece. Dry all parts with a microfiber cloth, apply valve oil and slide grease, and reassemble carefully for smooth performance. Here's how to clean a trumpet for beginners in 8 steps:
1. What Do You Use To Clean a Trumpet?
To clean a trumpet properly you will need a complete trumpet cleaning kit, such as the one from Music Nomad which has:
Valve Oil for smooth valve action.
Slide Grease for easy tuning slide movement.
Mouthpiece Brush to properly clean the mouthpiece.
Flexible Snake for hard-to-reach tubing.
Microfiber Cloth to polish and restore shine.
Tube Brush for precise slide cleaning.
2. How To Disassemble A Trumpet
Carefully take apart your trumpet by removing the mouthpiece, all 3 valves, and all 4 tuning slides. Keep track of all pieces and lay them out on a clean, soft surface to prevent scratches.
Here are all the parts of a trumpet for future reference when putting it all back together.
3. Fill a Tub With Warm Water
How to clean a trumpet with water is easy. Do not use hot water. Use tepid water—lukewarm enough to keep your hands comfortable. Avoid hot water as it can damage the lacquer and make the metal expand which can cause issues when reassembling. Submerge the trumpet body, valves, and slides together in the tub.
4. Clean the Trumpet With Brushes
Use the flexible cleaning snake to scrub inside the trumpet tubing and slides, removing residue or buildup.
For the valves, gently use the tube cleaning brush to clean off grime.
Use the tube cleaning brush on the main body of the trumpet as well.
5. How To Clean A Trumpet Mouthpiece
Use the mouthpiece brush with warm water and a drop of mild soap (optional). Scrub the interior thoroughly, rinse, and dry with a microfiber cloth.
6. How To Dry A Trumpet After Cleaning
Pat all parts dry with a lint-free microfiber cloth. Make sure each piece is completely dry before reassembling to prevent moisture from causing damage. Do not use a hairdryer.
7. How To Apply Trumpet Valve Oil & Slide Grease
Apply a few drops of valve oil to the silver part of each of the 3 valves. Then insert valve 1 into it's casing (closest to the mouthpiece) and make sure that the number on the valve (near the spring) is facing the mouthpiece end. Twist it until it clicks into place and cannot freely spin.
Put slide grease on all of the gold parts of the slides to ensure that they are properly lubricated. The most important slide is the 3rd valve slide which is constantly used whilst playing a low D pitch. This should be as easy to move as a trombone slide.
7: Use Silver Wipes for Extra Shine (For Silver Trumpets)
If your trumpet is silver-plated, you can use silver polishing wipes to make it truly shine. Gently rub the wipes over the exterior surface to remove tarnish and restore the brilliant finish. This step is optional but makes silver plates trumpets looks absolutely incredible.
How Often Should You Give Your Trumpet a Bath?
You should clean your trumpet with a full bath every 1-2 months if you play regularly. Frequent cleaning prevents buildup, keeps valves and slides functioning smoothly, and improves sound quality. If it starts to smell you've waited to long!
How to sanitize a trumpet?
Use a sanitizer safe for items that come into contact with the mouth. Products like Sterisol Germicide Solution are designed for musical instrument mouthpieces and effectively eliminate bacteria.
Is Dawn dish soap safe for trumpets?
Some trumpeters use dawn dish soap when washing the mouthpiece or the body of the trumpet without any issues. Just rinse thoroughly and do not use any soap on the valves which may damage the felt pads.
How Long Should I Let My Trumpet Soak In Water?
There is no concern over leaving your trumpet submerged in water for too long as the materials used, such as brass and lacquer, are designed to withstand moisture.
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