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 Kito (39 points)
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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?
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 theflutist94 (44 points)
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Silver is a delicate metal, and it always scratches easily. The streak marks are because of powder infused into the treated polishing cloth, which sort of abrade at the silver plating on your flute. Or maybe there was dust/dirt caught in the cloth too and it did the same thing.
I'd recommend a microfiber cleaning cloth; it just lifts off all the oils and fingerprints! And even better, it has no chemicals in it, meaning there's no powders impregnated into it which should cause less streak marks.
My advice might not be right, but I'm sure there's other people on the forum that can help you too!
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 leighthesim (322 points)
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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.
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 theflutist94 (44 points)
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I wouldn't recommend using a treated chemical polishing cloth (one that comes with flute care kits) on a daily basis, the powders in them are bad for your pads! And they can be quite harsh at times. Only use those sparingly, when your flute really needs it.
I agree with Mbrowne1229, those cloths are great for cleaning your flute.
I'd also recommend a Silkweave Micro filament cleaning cloth, I have one of these and it's excellent!!! I use it daily, and haven't had a single problem with it. But do not iron these cloths.
http://www.flute4u.com/store/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16498&category_id=264
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 Micron (1480 points)
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Cotton cloths are good. So are microfibre. Poly-cotton is not too good.
But if your are getting scratches, there is abrasive material around - grit, sand metal polish etc... You need to find how that is getting on your flute or your cloth. Probably something to do with your environment. Or has it got into the case lining?
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