How to Clean a Cymbal

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 13, 2021

If your cymbals are looking grimy and gross, it’s probably time to give them a wash! Start by soaking them in a tub of lukewarm, soapy water. Dry them off, then apply cymbal polish with a soft, clean cloth. Work section by section until you’ve covered the whole surface. Rinse off the polish, dry the cymbals thoroughly, and you’re all set!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Washing off Grime

1
Fill a tub with lukewarm water and 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of mild dish soap. You can use a plastic tub or a bathtub, depending on how big your cymbals are. Mix the mild dish soap into the water until the 2 are combined.
2
Take the cymbals off their stands and soak them for one to two minutes. Unscrew the cymbals and set the small pieces aside. Slide your cymbal gently into the tub until it’s fully submerged, then let it soak. The soapy water will help loosen the built-up grime and oils. Repeat this process, one cymbal at a time, to avoid scratching.

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3
Scrub the cymbal with a heavy nylon brush if it’s really dirty. For cymbals with extra buildup, you may need a little more elbow grease! While the cymbal is still soaking in the soapy water, use a heavy nylon scrub brush to scrub at the grooves. Remove the bulk of the grime with the brush, then rinse it off.
- Always scrub in the direction of the grooves.
- Don’t use a metallic or wire brush, which can damage the surface of the cymbal.
4
Take the cymbals out and wipe them dry. Lay out a soft towel on the floor, then place the cymbal on it. Use a soft, clean cloth to wipe away the water until the cymbals are completely dry.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Polishing and Drying the Cymbal

1
Put a small amount of cymbal polish on a cloth. Use a soft, clean cloth to work the cymbal polish into the cymbal. It’s best to use the polish that came with your cymbals if you still have it. The manufacturer’s polish is formulated to suit the alloy your cymbal is made of, so it’s your best option.
- If your cymbals didn’t come polish or cleaner, you can order some online or purchase some in a music store.
2
Apply the cleaner to the cymbal with a clean cloth in small sections. Rub gently, following the grooves of the cymbal. Since the polish dries out quickly, try to work in small sections rather than try to polish the entire surface at once. Use a new, clean part of the cloth each time you apply polish to a new section of the cymbal, and keep polishing until you’ve covered the entire cymbal.
3
Rinse the polish off with clean water and wipe it dry. In the tub, give the cymbal a quick rinse, making sure to wipe away all of the polish. Use soft, clean, dry cloth to wipe away the moisture before storing or setting up the cymbal.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Cymbals Clean

1
Keep a cover sheet over your drum set when you aren’t using it. The sheet will protect the cymbals from dust and moisture in the air. This will help cut down on the need for cleaning and polishing sessions!
2
Handle your cymbals by the outside edges only. The oil from your skin breaks down the thin protective layer on new cymbals, causing them to tarnish and oxidize. Always avoid hand-to-cymbal contact as much as possible. For example, instead of gripping the sides of the cymbals to carry them, hold them by edges.
3
Invest in some hard cases to protect your cymbals. Moving and handling cymbals can lead to bending, denting, or excessive contact. To protect your instrument, buy some cases to hold the cymbals when you transport them. Soft cases will protect the cymbals from contact, but hard cases are even better for preserving the cymbal’s shape.