Household Remedies

​When I first began to study music I was shocked by all of the expenses involved! Instruments, mouthpieces, sheet music, repairs, recordings, travel…it can add up very quickly! Here are a few tips to save money along the way. When in doubt, always consult a professional.

• Baby bottle brushes are effective to scrub out valve casings and slides.
• For sticky piston valves try using toothpaste to lap the valves. Make sure the toothpaste contains baking soda. Baking soda contains smaller particles than those contained in the lapping compound used at most repair stores so it can be done with little risk. Take a pea sized amount of toothpaste and coat the piston valve with it. Then, work the valve into the valve casing. Make sure to do this before bathing the horn and to thoroughly clean out and rinse the toothpaste out of the horn afterwards.
• Brasso is a tarnish remover that can be helpful when cleaning brass instruments. Use a moderate amount to clean the inside of the valve casing or a rotor valve. Avoid placing Brasso on the outside of the instrument as it may harm the finish. Do not use it on objects that are nickel plated like piston valves and trombone slides. Be sure to do this before bathing the horn and to thoroughly clean and rinse afterwards.
• Keep spare cork and felts with you at all times. You never know where a stop may break, and since cork is soft it can easily be manipulated for a quick fix.
• Vacuum belts can be used for rubber stoppers on rotary valves. Purchase the belts that are circular rings and use a razor to trim it to the appropriate size.
• General all-purpose lithium based grease can serve as an inexpensive and effective slide grease. This type of lubricant is typically found in an automotive section at a Wal-Mart. Avoid greases with additives as it may damage your horn. Do not use Vaseline as a slide grease.
• Simple automotive motor oil can serve as an inexpensive and effective rotor oil. Again, avoid oils with additives, and remember that a couple of small drops often can be enough. A small bottle with a needle dropper is necessary for convenient transportation. If you should apply too much on the inside of the valve, use a piston valve oil to thin out the motor oil.
• For lacquered instruments, simple furniture polish can be useful when applied lightly with a paper towel.