Best woodwind instrument care products according to redditors

GEM silk swabs. Cheap, work well, won't get stuck.

Here's something similar to what I use, though you could get a similar thing through any music supply store.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014H7XZA8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.pkRDb7RWWP19

I prefer to use Yamaha powder paper. It's got a fine dust that covers the stickiness: https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YAC-1112P_144068-YAC-1094P-Powder-Paper/dp/B0002F58SM

Backun MoBa Grenadilla Clarinet Bell - $675

Silverstein Works Cryo4 Gold Ligature Small Clarinet - $200

Ridenour Clarinet Thumb Saddle - $15 X 2 clarinets = $30

Vandoren V.12 3 1/2 Reeds - $30 X 3 = $90

Hodge Clarinet Silk Swab - $10

675 + 200 = $875

30 + 90 + 10 = $130

875 + 130 = $1005

=)

Brush your teeth before playing. Don't eat or drink anything other than water. Get one of THESE and use as recommended. DO NOT USE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE any sort of powder product as they will only make things worse. Leave you horn on a stand to dry rather than putting it back in the case.

My flute teacher gave me some of these and they really help, I’d definitely recommend them! They really help and get all of the moisture and junk out from the pads. Hope this helps!!

BG A65 U Pad Dryer, FL/CL/BS/OB, Microfiber https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003GZFTP2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_QbH1DbKG9JDM7

You should swab out the u-tube of the sax after every play. The amount of disgusting gunk that can build up in there is atrocious. These work pretty well for this application.

http://www.amazon.com/Hodge-Silk-Baritone-Saxophone-Swab/dp/B001M5I266/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1411784416&sr=1-3&keywords=baritone+saxophone+swab

This mouthpiece brush or any other will work fine to swab out the inside after every play. If you take the reed off and brush it off consistently, it will stay plenty clean.

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YAC-1085P-Woodwind-Mouthpiece/dp/B000LPUT6Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1411784658&sr=1-1&keywords=sax+mouthpiece+brush

Bari saxes will get knocked out of adjustment easily. Be careful not to bump things, in or out off the case.

I use this swab for cleaning the loop. I also keep it on a stand when I'm not playing so it air dries.

Other than that, a rag or towel to wipe the outside.

I'll point out that the little bit of condensation left in the headjoint is harmless. A general swab with your silk cloth is fine. However! If it bothers you, there are swabs specifically designed for headjoints.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000RVZ3QS?pc_redir=1411726623&robot_redir=1

There are this things called powder paper. It's a thin pice of paper with a layer of powder on it. You put it between the key and the Sax, close the key and pull it out. It really helps and is cheap.


https://www.amazon.de/Yamaha-YAC-1112P_144068-yac-1094p-Puder-Papier/dp/B0002F58SM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=powder+paper+yamaha&qid=1573452407&sprefix=Powder+pa&sr=8-1

clean the tonehole with naptha, change the pad. buy some yamaha powder paper and use it when you need to- shouldn't be much. if you are still having problems, take it to a different shop and try again.

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YAC-1094P-Powder-Paper/dp/B0002F58SM

Spring tension can sometimes overcome sticky pads, but pads shouldn't stick.

Non-mobile link: http://www.amazon.com/BG-A32HP-Flute-Head-Joint/dp/B000RVZ3QS/

How does amazon still not include this link on their mobile pages?

Taking an instrument outside is never a good thing. Heat, moisture, humidity, dryness are all the enemies of leather. I read about various methods for keeping the pads in good shape I like using Mink Oil, or a protectant like this one. The truth in you have to take your instrument in at least once a year for a "clean-oil-adjust". It will be completely disassembled, cleaned, and regulated. Any bad pads will be replaced. Instruments that are used outside where it may be dusty need this done more so than others. They make a swab that goes in the bend of the horn. It's not meant to be left inside. Regular professional maintenance is the best thing.

Here's an example. I'm not saying to get that one specifically, but just wanted to show how it's the polish cloth on the inside, so you don't get that powdery feeling on your hands. =)

I use this one, but most swabs are priced similarly.

I've found these swabs are the only thing that can get moisture out of the top curve of a bari:

https://www.amazon.com/Hodge-BSB1-Baritone-Saxophone-Black/dp/B001M5CZO6/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1475099113&sr=1-1&keywords=hodge+bari+sax+swab

This is great. But I don't understand why the video is so long.

1. Don't eat sugary foods before you play. If you do, wash your mouth out. Or wait 1-2 hours.
   
   
2. Fix sticky keys with ONLY with powder paper or cigarette paper. like this Yamaha brand here
   
   
3. When using the paper. DON'T PRESS AND PULL with the paper between the hole and the key. You'll destroy your pads super fast.
   
   And I'll add, use your cleaning swab after every practice and don't leave it in the flute while stored in the case. I've seen younger flutists do this.

What kind of cleaning tool do you use in the neck? Does it look like this? If so, never use it again-- it will deform the inside of the neck over time to have it shoved through. Just use a silk swab like this through the instrument. The tenor swab will fit through an alto neck fine.

EDIT: and as others have said, don't worry about what you show in the picture. Brass will not rust and you're not exposing it to enough water for long enough to corrode it in a meaningful way. And don't "scrape" in the neck.

https://www.amazon.com/Key-Leaves-saxophone-props-Melody/dp/B07B4KV5F3

These are great for keeping G sharp, C sharp, and E flat keys open to allow air to dry the pad completely. Read directions fully.

There is also an invention called vent vines that does the same thing for the palm keys, but I suggest you just blow air across the open palm keys individually at the end of your playing session instead of buying them. I picked that technique up from clarinet players in college. You blow across the open pad to disperse the saliva. It will save your palm keys from deteriorating faster. The swab just didn't clean the palm keys well enough.

Don't use papers, get a hold of the green Yamaha powdered paper.

A little goes a long way and I've never had issues with dust, but meanwhile it keeps my pads very clean. I especially value them for my saxophone which has some very large, very sticky proned pads that this paper fixes in 5 seconds flat.

I use the paper along with a silver polish cloth, as part of my bi-monthly maintenance.