25-08-2025
How to Clean & Maintain Your Oboe
In this guide, oboist Anna Betuzzi talks about how to use items such as a swab and cork grease to clean and maintain your oboe to keep it in tip-top shape.
Properly cleaning your oboe every time you play has a number of benefits. Reducing dirt and grime in the instrument ensures it will function reliably, and will also help it to play more in tune and maintain the quality of sound. The better you care for your instrument, the less often you will need to take it to a repair shop for maintenance, and the less work the repair person will need to do during each visit (which will save you $$$ in the long run). And if you have a wooden instrument, removing excess moisture is paramount for preventing cracks in the wood.
The basic tools to clean and maintain your oboe are all available in one handy collection from Reed Supplies Canada, follow the link here to learn more!
Table of Contents
- How to Swab your Oboe
- Cork Grease for Oboists
- Cleaning with a Polishing Cloth
- Using Cigarette Paper for your Oboe
- General Oboe Maintenance and Cleaning Tips
- Special Notes for Wooden Oboes
How to Swab your Oboe
A swab is a piece of cloth used to remove moisture from the inside of an oboe. Some oboists put the swab into the top of the oboe and pull it out the bell, however I recommend the opposite, as it has less risk of getting the swab stuck.
1. Insert the string/metal end of the swab into the bell. Flip your instrument upside down, and pull gently on the string, without tugging, until you feel resistance. It will look like this:
2. If you have a tiny swab that can be easily pulled through the whole instrument, pull it out through the top of the instrument. A swab this size can be pulled out the top of the oboe:
3. If your swab has more fabric, remove the swab via the bell end rather than pulling it through completely. Trying to force a larger swab all the way through the narrow top joint will warp the inside of the instrument over time, causing intonation issues. A swab of this size should not be pulled through the top of the oboe.Pull large swabs like this one just until the fabric is visible from the top ofthe instrument, then pull it back out the bottom. It’s very important to avoid getting the swab stuck in the instrument. Always check it for knots or tangles before using. You can neatly wrap up the swab between uses (see below). The best material for swabs is silk, as it does not snag easily and does not leave any lint inside the instrument.
If your swab ever gets stuck, don’t try to remove it yourself—take the oboe to a repair technician instead. They will have the tools to remove it without damaging the inside of your instrument. Swabs should be washed about once a month, depending on how often you play. Simply hand-wash in cold water with a bit of unscented dish or hand soap, rinse well, and hang to dry to avoid wrinkles. Some oboists use specially cleaned pheasant feathers to remove moisture, as they are naturally water-repellent. These are an option, but one must be careful to avoid breaking a piece of the feather off inside the instrument!
Cork Grease for Oboists
Cork Grease is used to ensure the different sections of an oboe fit together properly. Having correctly greased tenon joints will ensure your instrument seals well and avoids potential damage from trying to force the instrument together. The joints of the instrument should fit together smoothly, without forcing. If the cork is damaged or chipped in any way, take it to a repair technician to be replaced.
If your oboe joints feel a bit tight while putting the instrument together, apply a small amount of cork grease to the cork and rub it around with a finger or paper towel. For chapstick-style cork grease, I use the amount in the first picture below, and circle the cork once before wiping the cork around with a finger. For cork grease from a tub, use the amount in the second picture below, and wipe it around the cork. If you notice any extra grime around or above the cork, wipe that with a paper towel as well, as that may be part of the problem.
A little goes a long way! The most common cork grease mistake is actually using too much. Excess grease results in grime buildup over time, which will make it harder to put the pieces of your instrument together. You can also use tenon caps (pictured below) to prevent your cork from drying out, which means you will not need to use cork grease as frequently.
Cleaning with a Polishing Cloth
A polishing cloth is a specific type of cloth designed to care for the silver keys on your oboe. Keeping your keys shiny will go a long way toward increasing the lifespan of your instrument. Some people have naturally acidic fingers, which can wear away the silver plating of an oboe over time. Using a polishing cloth will make your instrument look good and feel good. I actually polish my oboe as a little ritual to calm my nerves before concerts as well!
There are several types of polishing cloths available. Simple microfiber cloths are good for removing dust and fingerprints. For long-term care, there are polishing cloths available with a special coating to target tarnish on silver. Be sure to get a cloth with a coating that is made for oboes! Some flute cloths work well for the type of metal found on flutes, but can actually be damaging to the type of silver plating that is found on oboes. Sunshine polishing cloths are coated and safe to use on all instruments, including oboes :)
Using Cigarette Paper for your Oboe
Cigarette Paper is a specific type of very thin and smooth paper. These papers are essential for removing moisture from the sensitive pads of the oboe. You may have noticed a gurgling sound when playing a specific note, especially between Ab and C. Or, you may have tried to play a note with the first or second octave key, only to have the note crack or come out one octave lower than intended. This is the time to use cigarette paper!
The first step is to find the offending moisture. If a note cracked when playing with an octave key, check under that octave key first. If you heard the gurgling noise, try to figure out which note specifically is making the strange sound. Then, look for the highest open key when you press your fingers to create that specific note. The moisture will likely be visible under that key.
To remove moisture, place the cigarette paper under the correct key, then gently close the pad over the paper. This would be a good time to swab your oboe as well, as this will hopefully prevent it from recurring during the same playing session.
For stubborn cases, remove the reed, swab, take the top joint apart from the rest of the instrument, place the paper underneath the pad, and use your fingers to cover all tone holes and the hole on the bottom of the top joint. Finally, blow strongly into the top of the top joint while opening only the offending tone hole.
There are as many methods to avoid water as there are methods to get rid of the hiccups, but here are a few that have worked for me:
- Always warm the top joint under your arm before playing, especially in a cold space.
- Warm up in the low register for the first 5-10 minutes of playing. I don’t use any octave keys during this time (playing from half hole Eb and below only).
- Swab if you are taking a break, even for 5 minutes.
- Keep your instrument upright or angled with the keys facing upwards at all times until you swab. The moisture should form a straight path down the bore inside the instrument. If the moisture track goes sideways towards the tone holes, this will cause water in the keys.
Cigarette paper inserted under the second octave key (also known as the side octave key).
Cigarette paper inserted under the octave key.
Cigarette paper inserted under the B key.
General Oboe Maintenance and Cleaning Tips:
- Brush your teeth before you play, every time!
- Swab after you play, every time!!
- You can buy a soft paintbrush or makeup brush to clean dust from around the keywork of your instrument. Just make sure to close the key pads while you are dusting, to prevent the dust from getting inside your instrument
- Bring your oboe to a repair shop at least once a year for a maintenance checkup. Just like maintenance for a car, prevention is better than a cure. The oboe repair technician will be able to identify any little problems before they become big problems, and they will return your oboe to you in better condition than it was before!
And finally, some special notes for wooden oboes:
As wooden oboes are susceptible to cracking, they require some extra special attention and care. Cracks occur when the wood is subjected to a rapid change in temperature and/or humidity levels. The air we blow into the oboe is warm and humid, so the greatest risk is whenever weather conditions are cold and/or dry. Here are some easy steps to take to reduce the risk of cracks:
- Keep a humidifier in your instrument case in the winter. There are many options available on the market, but dampening a dense sponge or even putting orange peels in the case will work in a pinch.
- Warm up the top joint of the oboe with your hands or under your arm for a few minutes before playing.
- Swab more frequently in winter, especially if you have long rests during an ensemble rehearsal.
- Avoid playing immediately after entering a building, and wait a few minutes after playing before taking your instrument outside again, especially in winter.
- Avoid playing wooden instruments outdoors—rent a plastic one instead for outdoor gigs.
- Keep your instrument case away from heaters and air conditioner vents.
- Don’t leave your instrument in the car, no matter the season!
I hope this article empowers you to use a swab, cork grease, polishing cloth, and cigarette paper, in order to take excellent care of your oboe. Have any unique tips for oboe maintenance you’d like to share? Let us know below!