How to Clean a Clarinet
Updated Nov 11, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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To clean a clarinet, take it apart, run a cleaning cloth through each section to remove moisture, wipe the outside with a soft dry cloth, and wash the mouthpiece with water and mild soap. Let every part dry before you put it back in the case, grease the cork joints when they feel dry, and remove the reed.
Take the clarinet apart
Remove the reed from the mouthpiece and store it flat. Pull the mouthpiece, barrel, upper joint, lower joint and bell apart with a straight pull, without twisting the keys. Lay the parts on a clean towel so nothing rolls off the table.
Dry the bore with a cloth
Thread a cleaning cloth through each section and pull it through slowly so it picks up the moisture inside. Repeat with a dry part of the cloth until the inside feels dry. Moisture left inside can mark the pads and the bore.
Wash the mouthpiece
Rinse the mouthpiece under water with a little mild soap, then rinse it again with clean water. Dry it with a soft cloth and leave it out until it is fully dry. Keep water off the cork and the reed, and never put the mouthpiece in hot water.
Wipe the keys and body
Wipe the outside of each section with a soft dry cloth to remove fingerprints and moisture. Wipe around the keys with care and keep the cloth away from the pads. If a key feels stiff or a pad looks worn, ask a repair shop to look at it.
Grease the corks and store the clarinet
Rub a little cork grease on the joint corks when they feel dry or the joints are hard to put together. Put the sections back in the case in their places, with the reed stored flat and the mouthpiece cap on. Store the case somewhere dry, away from heat and direct sun.
What you need
VANPHY Bb Clarinet 17 Keys Flat B Clarinet
A Bb clarinet with 17 nickel-plated keys and a cleaning cloth in the kit, plus a case, a stand, 2 barrels and 8 mouthpiece cushions.
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included
- Key: Bb
- Body material: ABS
- Keys (on the body): 17
- 60-day warranty stated
Glory GLY-CLAPK Professional Ebonite Bb Clarinet
An ebonite Bb clarinet with a cleaning cloth, a mouthpiece brush, a pad brush and cork grease in the kit, plus 10 reeds, a stand and a hard case.
- Case or gig bag included
- Key: Bb
- Body material: Ebonite
- Reeds included: 10
- 30-day warranty stated
EASTROCK Bb Clarinet 17Nickel Keys ABS Material
A Bb clarinet with 17 nickel-plated keys and 2 barrels that includes a cleaning cloth, a soft polishing cloth, joint grease and a hard case with backpack straps.
- Case or gig bag included
- Key: Bb
- Body material: ABS
- Keys (on the body): 17
SONICAKE B Flat Clarinet for Beginner
A Bb ebonite clarinet with nickel-plated keys and 2 barrels that includes a cleaning kit, reeds, white gloves and a hard case.
- Case or gig bag included
- Key: Bb
- Body material: Ebonite
- 90-day warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best Clarinet, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my clarinet?
Clean it after each playing session, and look for moisture in the bore, a reed that feels rough or looks discolored, and keys that feel stiff. When any of those signs show up, clean the instrument and check the reed.
Can I wash the whole clarinet with water?
No. Wipe the body and keys with a soft dry cloth, and keep water away from the pads, the cork and the reed.
What do I do if a pad looks worn?
Leave the pad alone and ask a repair shop to look at it. Do not try to adjust or replace a pad yourself.
Ranked clarinets lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.