To properly care for the surface of the instrument, use a polishing cloth or other soft cloth to wipe away any human oils (such as fingerprints) and other dirt to the extent that you can reach.

There are three types of oil that are used for the various parts of the rotary valves in horns, tubas, and other instruments: rotor oil, rotor spindle oil, and lever oil.
The slides use yet another type of lubricant, slide grease (not to be confused with slide cream).
Oil can improve the lubrication of moving parts, reduce noise, and prevent friction and rust. The appropriate oil to use in order to allow for the necessary clearances between moving parts on the instrument is different for different sections. In the moment, it may seem that applying any kind of oil might be fine and not lead to any problems, but over the long term, using the wrong oils in the wrong places is not good for the instrument.

The functions of the three oils

1. Rotor oil is used for lubrication between rotor surfaces and their casings. Because these components are relatively large and their clearances are small in relation to their size, a light oil is used.
2. Rotor spindle oil is for the rotor spindles. This oil is fairly heavy because it is used in a place with a small diameter where there is little contact with air from inside or outside, and also because it must aid the rotation of the rotor spindles.
3. Lever oil is used for the lever rod and joints. Because these are areas where force is applied in one direction, it is easy for them to wear unevenly, so a rather heavy oil is used.

Rotor oil is light and dries quickly, meaning that it is not very effective when applied to rotor spindles or levers. If heavier oil like lever oil is used in a rotor, the rotor will not move as freely (or quickly).
Do your best to understand the nature of these oils and the components they are applied to and be intentional about which ones you apply where. Only apply specific oils where they belong. By doing so, you will avoid unnecessary trouble, and you can expect your instrument to have a longer life.

Other tools and supplies for care

In addition to these three types of oil, it is also good to have a mouthpiece brush for cleaning the inside of the mouthpiece, flexible cleaners or specialized swaps for cleaning the inside of the leadpipe, and a cleaning rod for the slide.

For polishing horns and other metal wind instruments, including the saxophone, polish that is appropriate for the specific material and finish of the instrument should be used. Lacquer polish should be used for instruments with a lacquer finish, silver plated instruments should be polished with silver polish, and metal polish should be used for instruments that have neither lacquer nor plating. Apply a small amount of the appropriate type of polish to a polishing cloth.
Since lacquer finishes are not very hard, they can be scratched up even just by wiping relatively gently with a polishing cloth. If there are any abrasive particles in the dust in the air, and those adhere to the surface of the instrument or get caught on the cloth before wiping, they can create scratches as well. The best way to wipe is to be gentle, applying only a modicum of pressure, and polish over a large area with a good amount of patience.

When using a swab to clean a horn, the process goes more smoothly if the swab is inserted from the wider end of the mouthpipe (the tube that the mouthpiece is inserted into). For both the first and second slides, the swab can be inserted from either end. Insert the swab weight-end first, and turn the instrument to help guide it through the pipe.
Once the weight comes out of the end opposite the end it was inserted into, the swab itself can be pulled through the length of the instrument's pipe by slowly pulling on the spindle end of the cord.
For the slides as well, insert the weight into the tube to send the string through until the place where the pipe turns, and then turn the slide upside down so that the other opening points downward, shaking the slide to bring the spindle downward and out the opening. Once the weight comes out of that end (the end opposite to where it was inserted), pull the cord to bring the swab through the tube.

There are two different types of swabs: S1 and S2. S1 swabs can be used on the first and second slides. They can be used on both F and B flat instruments. S2 swabs are for the mouthpipe.

Cleaning the slides

1. Press the lever to release pressure so that removing the slides does not cause a popping sound.
2. Wrap a polishing gauze around the cleaning rod so that the metal is not exposed, and insert it into the slide to remove dirt from inside.
3. Wipe the outside of the slide to remove any dirt and then apply a small amount of slide grease. Move the slide back and forth to make sure that grease reaches all parts of the tube.

Care and maintenance of the rotors

1. Remove the rotary valve cap, and apply a small amount of rotor spindle oil to the center of the rotor and the place that supports the spindle.
2. Apply a small amount of rotor spindle oil to the rotor spindle and the rotor bearing. After applying the oil, replace the cap, and move the levers to work the oil into the rotor.
3. Apply a small amount of lever oil to the bearing in the lever base.

*Note: Wipe off any excess oil.

Wash the mouthpiece

Make up a solution of brass soap, consisting of 10-15 parts warm water (30°C-40°C) to one part brass soap. Put some brass soap solution on the mouthpiece brush and put it into the throat to wash, and then rinse with clean water.

Cleaning the narrow parts

Twist a piece of gauze into a thin strip and run it through the narrow parts to clean them.

Care and Maintenance of a Horn
Monthly care and maintenance

Wash the inside the tubes

Make up a solution of brass soap, consisting of 10-15 parts warm water (30°C-40°C) to one part brass soap.

1. Apply some brass soap solution to the brush of a flexible cleaner, and then wash inside the tube.
2. Once the dirt is removed, wash out the brass soap with clean water.
   After removing the excess moisture with a piece of gauze, apply oil and grease.