If you’re a trombone player, you’ll know that maintaining the instrument is crucial. These things aren’t cheap, so you’ll want to ensure it lasts as long as possible and that you’re getting the best sound out of it. But while you may wipe down your trombone, particularly the mouthpiece, before and after every use, a thorough deep clean every now and again is necessary to keep it in tip-top condition for years to come.
In this guide, we’ll teach you how to clean a trombone, going from quick spruce-ups to the full-on bathtub method. We recommend following these steps carefully and reading our “cleaning products to avoid” section at the end to guarantee that you clean the instrument in the safest, most effective way.
The last thing you want is to ruin the finish or damage the instrument itself, so make sure you have some gentle solutions (no harsh chemicals) and lint-free cloths (listed below), and you’re ready to get started!
In a hurry?
If you need to clean the trombone thoroughly yet quickly, here are our steps:
- Disassemble the trombone
- Soak the parts in a bath of mild dish soap for 10 – 15 mins
- Clean the mouthpiece with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap
- Clean the inside of the tubes using a flexible snake brush or a cleaning rod wrapped in a soft cloth
- Wipe exterior surfaces using a microfibre cloth
- Air-dry the instrument and apply any slide oil or cream
Equipment checklist
| Product type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Misting bottle | Ultra-Pure Trombone Mini Mist |
| Slide grease | Superslick Tuning Slide Grease |
| Slide cream | Superslick Trombone Slide Cream |
| Maintenance kit | Ultra-Pure Trombone Care Kit |
| Inner slide swab | BG Trombone Inner Slide Swab |
| Silver polishing cloth | Ultra-Pure Small Silver Polishing Cloth |
| Mouthpiece spray | Bach Mouthpiece Disinfection Spray |
| Microfibre cloth | BG Instrument Care Cloth |
| Trombone snake | Champion Trombone Snake |
| Mouthpiece brush | Denis Wick Mouthpiece Brush, Small |
How to clean a trombone (before playing)
1. Clean the tubes
The first step to cleaning your trombone before playing is to remove the tuning slide and the main outer slide. This will allow you to clean each tube properly using a lint-free cloth and a cleaning rod or swab.
Wrap the cloth around the cleaning rod, making sure the entire rod is covered to minimise the risk of damaging the trombone. Insert the rod into each tube and rotate it. This helps the cloth pick up any moisture and grime. If you’re using a swab instead, run it through the tubes in the same way.
2. Prepare the slide
After cleaning, apply slide oil or cream to the stockings at the end of the inner slide. Slide oil is quick to apply and has a lighter, thinner consistency. Slide cream, on the other hand, provides a smoother glide but needs to be activated with a water spray. Only a small amount of cream is needed, just enough so the metal is still visible underneath.
After applying the lubricant, insert the slide and move it gently to distribute it evenly across the inner surface.
3. Oil the rotary valve
If your trombone has a rotary valve, it’s important to oil it regularly to keep it functioning smoothly. Apply rotor oil directly through the slide receiver (where the valve connects). Just a few drops are enough to maintain proper lubrication without overdoing it. Make sure the valve is in a resting position before applying the oil, then move it gently to help distribute the oil evenly.
How to clean a trombone (after playing)
1. Let out any moisture and clean the slides
After playing, drain any moisture using the water key. This helps prevent corrosion and moisture build-up inside the instrument. Next, disassemble the trombone for easy access to each part, allowing you to clean it thoroughly.
Once disassembled, use a cleaning rod fully wrapped in a soft cloth or gauze to wipe the inside of both slides. We also recommend using a cleaning swab to help remove any remaining moisture, such as the BG Exterior Slide Swab. If you feel like your trombone needs an extra clean, you can always use a flexible cleaning brush like the Champion Trombone Snake.
2. Wipe down the exterior
After each practice session or performance, you should also take a soft, microfibre cloth and wipe down all exterior surfaces of your trombone. This removes moisture, fingerprints, and oils that can tarnish or damage the finish over time.
3. Clean the mouthpiece
Cleaning the mouthpiece is quite simple; just rinse it under warm water using a mild soap. Use a mouthpiece brush – we recommend the Dennis Wick Mouthpiece Brush – to gently scrub the inside, focusing on any areas where residue might build up.
It’s also worth using specialised mouthpiece sprays and disinfectants, such as the Superslick Sterispray Mouthpiece Disinfectant Spray, for a quick clean.
You should then rinse the mouthpiece thoroughly and dry it with a soft cloth or leave it to air dry completely.
How to clean a trombone (the bathtub method)
1. Take apart the trombone
Bathing your brass instrument is a popular cleaning method (rubber ducks are optional!). First, carefully disassemble your trombone into its main parts: the bell section, inner and outer slides, tuning slide, and mouthpiece.
If you’re working with a trigger or bass trombone, you may have extra tuning slides or valve components to remove. Take your time and avoid forcing any connections apart.
2. Soak in warm water
Once your trombone is fully disassembled, fill a bathtub or large container with warm (but not hot) water and add a small amount of mild dish soap. Lay a towel on the bottom of the tub to protect the instrument from scratches while soaking.
Submerge the parts of the trombone (except the mouthpiece) in the water and leave them to soak for around ten minutes. This loosens dirt, oils, and dried slide lubricant, making it easier to clean internal and external surfaces.
3. Focus on the mouthpiece
While the instrument is soaking, it’s time to clean the mouthpiece. Use warm water, a small amount of mild dish soap, and a brush to scrub gently inside the mouthpiece and loosen any build-up or residue. Rinse and leave to dry. And remember, don’t use any harsh chemicals or bleach, as these can damage the instrument.
4. Clean the insides of the tubes
Now it’s time to clean the inside of the trombone tubes. To do this, you’ll need a flexible snake brush or a cleaning rod wrapped in a soft cloth. Carefully guide the brush through each tube to loosen and lift any residue that soaking has not removed. Work slowly to avoid scratching the interior.
Rinse each part thoroughly with clean water to remove soap and debris, then set everything on a soft towel to dry. It’s best to focus on straight sections and tuning slides, as this is where dried lubricant or mineral build-up is most likely to collect.
5. Wipe down exterior surface
After cleaning the inner sections, wipe down the exterior surfaces of your trombone using a microfibre cloth. Remove any watermarks, oils, and leftover soap residue. If there’s still a bit of build-up left, lightly dampen the cloth with mild soap and gently rub the affected areas.
6. Dry and apply oil/cream
After rinsing, allow all parts of the trombone to air dry for at least half an hour and ensure no moisture remains inside the tubes.
Once dry, apply slide oil or slide cream lightly to the stockings of the inner slide. If you use cream, you’ll need to activate it with a water spray before reassembling the slide. For tuning slides, use a small amount of slide grease.
7. Reassemble
When your instrument is dry, start carefully reassembling. Attach the inner and outer slides, ensuring they align smoothly without forcing them together, then fit the tuning slide and bell section back into place, checking that each joint sits securely.
Our most crucial advice is to take your time putting the parts back together. Never force anything that feels resistant!
Once everything is assembled, give it a once-over by moving the slides to ensure it’s all in working order.
How often should you clean your trombone?
We recommend lightly cleaning your trombone before and after every playing session. This minimises the moisture sitting in the instrument, preventing corrosion and maintaining the finish.
You should also deep clean your instrument using the bathtub method around every three months.
Depending on how often you play, this might need to happen more frequently
Regular thorough cleaning keeps the instrument free of residue that daily care may not reach, leaving your trombone sounding amazing and extending its lifespan.
Cleaning products to avoid
We can’t stress this enough: never use harsh chemicals. Alcohol-based cleaners, bleach, and abrasive household products can strip lacquer, corrode metal, and leave the instrument vulnerable to rust.
Instead, stick to mild dish soap and brass instrument-dedicated slide oils, creams, and greases for lubrication.
How to maintain the exterior
To keep the exterior of your trombone in good condition, it’s best to wipe it down after each use.
Use a soft microfibre or polishing cloth to gently remove fingerprints, dirt, and oils.
For silver-plated trombones, you’ll need silver polishing cloths. If you do have a silver-plated instrument, it’s important to know that the finish may wear away and tarnish – but this is only an aesthetic problem.
To make it look as good as new, a repairer should be able to replate or relacquer your instrument. Don’t try to fix any finishing issues, such as peeling, yourself; get advice from a professional.
FAQs
How do I clean a trombone without a snake?
To clean a trombone without a snake, just use household items like soft cloths, warm water, and mild soap. Focus on disassembling the trombone and gently wiping down each part. Use a flexible brush or water pressure to clean inside tubes if needed.
Can you bathe a trombone?
Bathing a trombone is a safe and effective way to clean it thoroughly at home. Submerge the disassembled instrument in lukewarm, soapy water for about 10 minutes. Rinse each part well and allow it to air dry before reassembling and oiling.
How often should you bathe your trombone?
We recommend using the bathtub cleaning method for your trombone every three months. If you play the trombone more frequently, however, you may need to thoroughly clean it more often.
Final thoughts
As with any instrument, cleaning and maintaining your trombone is crucial for its longevity, playability, and sound. We hope that you now know how to clean a trombone safely and effectively, armed with the best tips and tricks for keeping your instrument in great condition.
Remember, no harsh solutions, regular upkeep, and a focus on removing moisture. These are the top three things you need to know to prevent corrosion and keep the trombone in proper working order.
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