Every time I have tried to wipe down my instrument, the material I use -- from tee shirts, rags, to the specialised cloths for cleaning flutes -- leaves little scratches. They look like streaks, but they don't come off, and I don't usually use solution with it; if I do, it's water. (And not just on my flute, but my cell phone, also, but that's a different story.) Why is this? Is it because silver is soft? Is it the way I clean it?

http://www.littlepiper.com/Merchant/index_wc.htm
http://www.fluteworld.com/index.php?action=prod&wart=13700&ppk=cacs

I recommend these cloths. I have used both and own both!! Various other ones I feel are inferior and do a shotty job.

i have beeen using a blue polishing cloth hat i got whit a care kit and its good buti have found that just a new yellow dusting cloth works just as good if not better (the ones you get from any supermarket) it has clean both my flute and clarinet a treat.