How do you clean a clarinet?

Question:I have a wooden clarinet and it is in desperate need of a cleaning. does anyone know how to clean it (and not just swab it out)?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have a wooden clarinet and it is in desperate need of a cleaning. does anyone know how to clean it (and not just swab it out)?

If your mouth piece needs a good cleaning (I know mine does...)
take the ligature and the reed off, and soak it in either warm soapy water, or take a cloth and rub it down with rubbing alcohol.

There isn't much else to clean the inside other than a swab, that I know of.

You need a pull-through.

Get a cotton handkerchief, big enough so that when bundled it is a tight fit in the bore, but not so big that it will jam. Tie a piece of string to one corner; the string needs to be longer than one of the sections of the clarinet. Tie a weight to the other end of the string.

After playing, dismantle the clarinet and drop the weight through one of the sections. Pull the handkerchief through. The condensation plus the gentle rubbing of the handkerchief will clean the bore. Repeat with the other section of the clarinet.

You need a clarinet swab which they sell in the music store.