Almond Oil For Wooden Flutes

A wooden flute can be cleaned externally using almond oil and then wiping it dry.

Almond oil for wooden flutes.

Playing in a new wooden flute. The best repair shops in the world and artists trust a simple natural almond oil for their instruments. Almond oil is by far the most frequently used although i know of players who use walnut oil people with nut allergies beware and even olive oil smells a bit. The residue left on your flute after oiling isn t toxic and it s safe to use.

About wooden flute care. I happen to be a chemist and an occasional woodworker though definitly not a hallowed flute make. It is also good to remove any built up cork grease from tenons and sockets occasionally. A wooden flute should be oiled to protect it from cracking and to improve the tone and repsonsiveness of the flute.

Beyond that there were various suggestions to use almond oil raw linseed oil and olive oil. Some flutes are designed to have oil applied to the bore at regular intervals. When not in use disassemble the flute to take pressure off the tenon s. Almond oil is the preferred oil for oiling the bore of wood clarinets oboes piccolos.

I picked up some argan oil from a cooperative in morroco this summer with the possible intention of using it in place of almond oil to keep wooden flutes lubricated. If you use it be very careful to use raw linseed oil not boiled. Natural unscented. These oils are not harmful if used as often as every time you play as the residue is mopped out when you dry your flute.

Linseed oil is commonly used on wooden flutes. It seems to have quite a similar composition of unsaturated oils to that of almond oil. For flutes where the bore is oiled the trick is finding the right oil. Some like almond oil which must be applied with great frequency others like cold pressed raw linseed oil which is applied sparingly and much less often.

Another flute player peter heinlein recommends buying cosmetic grade almond oil rather than food grade which tends to oxidize faster and may gum up the bore of the flute. This is so the flute doesn t go dry because your tone won t be so great if it does. Boiled linseed oil will gum up the bore of your flute and may permanently ruin its tone. The oil protects the wood from rapid changes in humidity that could stress or crack the flute.

Other bore oils on the market can contain petroleum distillates and or dyes none of which is necessary nor desired for oiling the wood of your premium instrument. Linseed oil is made from flax. Don t put oil on the cloth everytime. It is generally recommended that wooden flutes be played in gently when new.

The one loud concensus is not to use boiled linseed oil. There is some controversy as to what kind of oil is best. Cotton wool buds q tips are excellent for cleaning embouchure and tone holes. These are typically flutes where the maker has not applied a finish to the inside of the flute.