Posted with permission
When the embouchure hole needs to be cleaned, start with a q-tip dipped in water and see if that removes the buildup in the embouchure hole. The moisture may be enough to remove excess material. If the buildup inside the embouchure hole is more crusty, apply Almond oil on the q-tip to soften the material, then wipe it out with a clean q-tip. If that does not do the trick, you can clean the wood with denatured alcohol. You have to be VERY careful not to use the liquid itself, but only the dampness on a q-tip. Any kind of a solvent can remove the resin from the grain. So once you have dipped the q-tip in the alcohol, you have to blot the excess out so it is just damp. Then you can wipe out the embouchure hole with the q-tip. I do recommend that this cleaning process be following by re-oiling with almond oil, just to keep the wood happy.
NEVER use rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol on the wood . . .. It will destroy the grain immediately and if contact is prolonged enough will turn the wood white. When we are at conventions, we are vigilant in watching for people walking around with the little alcohol swabs that they use on flute head joints because they are so caustic to the wood. Once the wood is bleached in that way, it cannot be turned back to its lustrous black self with oiling. And, as I said, even denatured alcohol must be used sparingly. Thus, I stick with my original advice to start the cleaning process of the embouchure hole with water or almond oil.
