A clean instrument plays better, sounds better, and is HEALTHIER! All instruments should have a regular cleaning routine:

Woodwinds: swab the inside after playing to remove moisture. Wipe off fingerprints with a clean, dry cloth.   Once per month use a small brush or pipe cleaner to carefully remove fuzz from under the keys.

Brass: empty all water in the horn and wipe off fingerprints with a clean, dry cloth.   The most important part of brass maintenance is to keep the valves oiled and slides greased!! This is the equivalent of keeping oil in your car engine!!

Brass instruments need a tub bath at least once per quarter. Place a towel in the bottom of the bathtub; fill tub with warm (not hot) water to cover the horn; add a tablespoon of baking soda or a few drops of dish washing soap (like Dawn). Soak disassembled instrument in warm water for about 10 minutes; use cleaning brushes to clean all surfaces keeping instrument under water while brushing. Rinse, dry, reapply oil / grease and reassemble.

All woodwinds and brass  mouthpieces need to be cleaned at least once per week!!  This is especially important during the cold and flu season!  Students can re-infect themselves from their mouthpiece after they have been sick!! Simply wash in the sink with warm water and soap.

DO NOT PUT ANY PART OF AN INSTRUMENT IN THE DISHWASHER!

NEVER USE HOT WATER!!!
It might melt a woodwind mouthpiece or ruin the plating on a brass mouthpiece.  It can also ruin the finish on a brass instrument.

Reed players should throw away the reed they used when they were sick to avoid the risk of re-infection.

Percussion: simply turn off snares when you are finished each time. Wipe off dust with a clean damp cloth once per month.