"Oh, that's just the cloth that comes with the instrument," or "It's just for wiping down the instrument"— this silicone cloth is often dismissed as nothing special. But wait! Don't underestimate it just because it's "just a cloth"! This cloth is specifically designed to polish your precious instrument, and at THE Used Instrument Shop, we take it very seriously. Precisely because we're a used instrument specialist that polishes instruments more than anyone else, we're going to show you just how much we care about our cleaning cloths!
● What exactly is a silicone cloth?
Here’s a question: What are silicone cloths made of?
If you answered “silicone,” unfortunately, you’re wrong. A silicone cloth is a cloth—such as cotton—that has been impregnated with silicone. So, what is silicone? While you might hear this material mentioned often in cosmetic surgery these days, here we can say it’s the substance that gives your instrument a polished, glossy finish. In other words, a silicone cloth is simply a cloth with a gloss-enhancing effect.
● Good Silicone Cloths vs. Bad Silicone Cloths
If you’re thinking, “Oh, so a silicone cloth is just like a rag dampened with polish,” you’re pretty sharp, but you’re a bit off. Well, the nuance might be quite similar, but the major difference lies in the manufacturing process. Each individual silicon crystal contained in the cloth is extremely small—on the scale of an electron microscope, measuring just a few ten-thousandths the size of a grain of sand.Each of these tiny crystals is woven deep into the fibers. Therefore, for an instrument, a good silicone cloth must first and foremost be made from high-quality base fabric. It’s also crucial that only high-quality silicone is woven in, without any impurities mixed in. Poorly made products may have uneven distribution of silicone or contain impurities that are harmful to instruments or the human body.
● Ask the Pros!
The Real Reason "You Shouldn’t Use Silicone Cloth on Lacquered Instruments"
This is a common piece of advice that’s been around for a long time. But I think few people can give a definitive answer to the question, “Why?”
There are various theories, such as whether the silicone reacts with the lacquer to cause discoloration. However, even looking through our inventory of over several thousand instruments, we rarely encounter any that have been damaged by silicone cloth. It’s likely difficult to verify this because there simply aren’t any concrete examples.
So, we visited the factory that manufactures our shop’s signature silicone cloth—aptly named “THE Used Instrument Shop Cloth”—and asked the specialists there. Here’s the answer you’ve been waiting for!
A: “Well, it’s not that there’s absolutely no effect, but if it’s a high-quality silicone cloth, you can practically say there’s no problem. The amount of silicone contained in the cloth is very minimal, so it’s safe to say it doesn’t have enough impact to bond with the lacquer and cause it to degrade. Of course, it’s a different story if you were to soak the instrument in undiluted silicone solution.”
I see. So, it seems there’s no adverse effect from the tiny amount of silicone particles in a single cloth. But if there’s even a slight effect, what if you polished the instrument with a silicone cloth millions of times—enough to be equivalent to soaking it in undiluted solution? I was curious, so I asked.
A: "The cloth would wear out long before that happened. Anyway, if you were to apply undiluted solution, there would likely be some effect. In that case, the biggest problem arises during refinishing. If the lacquer bonds with a large amount of silicon, the bond with the wood becomes stronger, and its resistance to other chemicals increases, making it a bit more difficult to strip the finish. The refinishing craftsman might have a bit of a hard time with it."
I see. In that case, if you don’t plan on stripping the finish, it might actually be a good thing. So, if I polish with a silicone cloth, will the finish become stronger?
A: "Even so, only very slightly. Ultimately, the amount of silicone in the cloth is just enough to bring out a sheen—it probably won’t have much more of an effect, for better or worse. But actually… there’s something else…"
I was curious about what came after “Actually…” so I asked, “Actually… what is it?”
A: “I think the impurities in the silicone cloth have a much greater impact. Of course, there are absolutely none in the ones we make here, but if organic solvents or the like are used when adding the silicone, residues can remain, and that’s obviously not good for the lacquer.”
I see. So it’s not that silicone cloth is bad in general; the truth is that low-quality silicone cloth is the problem. Isn’t it unfortunate that this gives silicone cloth a bad reputation overall?
A: “Exactly. In any case, I’d like you to use high-quality silicone cloth.”
That was the gist of it. So, how are “good silicone cloths” actually made? Let’s take a look at the manufacturing process of our shop’s pride and joy, “THE Used Instrument Shop Cloth,” as a reference.
● First and foremost: the material
As mentioned earlier, a silicone cloth is a fabric woven with silicone. That’s why the base fabric is crucial. “THE Used Instrument Shop Cloth” is made from 100% pure cotton and is carefully woven in a domestic factory.
Let’s bring back our manufacturing plant specialist.
A: “We could lower costs by using synthetic fibers, but then we can’t ensure the silicone is evenly distributed. It might come off after just a little use. And of course, if you wash it, it’s ruined right away.”
So, does that mean pure cotton can be washed and reused?
A: “It won’t last forever, but since the treatment penetrates deep into the fibers, it won’t wear out after just a few washes. You can use it repeatedly. Plus, if there are synthetic fibers like nylon mixed in, they can actually damage the instrument. That’s why we’ve always been committed to using pure cotton.”
I see. That’s reassuring to hear. The material comes first. I’m convinced.
● Committed to 100% pure silicone.
100% pure silicone... I can't quite picture it, but conversely, is there such a thing as impure silicone that isn't 100%?
A: “It’s not exactly ‘impure’ silicone, but… By the way, do you know what the most expensive part of making a silicone cloth is?”
I’ve been turned around with a question of my own… Is it the pure cotton used as the base material, after all?
A: “No. The most expensive part is actually the silicone we add. Even though it’s in such tiny amounts that you can’t even see it. That’s why, if manufacturers want to cut costs, it’s common to see them adding other substances to the cloth besides silicone.”
I see. So, in addition to silicone, other substances are mixed in as well. For example, what kind?
A: “Since the purpose of a silicone cloth is to bring out the shine of the polished surface, some products also contain oils or waxes to make that effect more noticeable.”
I see. That does make it easier to see. But isn’t that actually a good thing?
A: "That’s certainly one way to look at it. But oils and such evaporate quickly, so the effect lasts only for that first moment. We want to make products that can be used for a long time, so we don’t really use those kinds of things… Plus, low-cost waxes and the like can sometimes contain harmful substances."
That’s a bit concerning.
A: "That’s why we’re committed to creating products you can use with peace of mind for a long time, rather than ones that just look effective. Silicone itself has minimal impact on the human body—it’s even used in cosmetic surgery. So, for example, you can use it with confidence on parts that come into contact with your mouth, like the mouthpiece of a wind instrument. After all, it’s not just the instrument that matters—the person using it is the most important thing."
So you’ve been making them with that much thought in mind. We’ve been using these cloths casually every day, but I never realized that much care was put into them.
● We’re also particular about how the silicone is applied!
They’re particular about using pure cotton, and they’re particular about using pure silicone. And apparently, there’s a secret method for how that pure silicone is infused into the pure cotton. I asked about that production process as well.
A: “The most important part is how we apply the silicone to the fabric, and we use water.”
Water?
A: “We dissolve the silicone particles in water to let them soak in, then let it dry. It’s a bit of a hassle, but I think this is the best method.”
That sounds rather primitive… I’m sorry to say, but that’s what a layperson like me would think.
A: “If we’re just talking about efficiency, there’s also a method where we dissolve the silicone in a volatile solvent and spray it on. That does eliminate the need for drying equipment and processes, so it’s faster and keeps costs down. However, solvent residues remain on the fabric. Some organic solvents contain carcinogens, so we can’t use those. That’s why we use plain water. With plain water, nothing remains once it dries. It’s a simple, labor-intensive process, but it’s the safest option.”
You can see their consideration for the user even in details like this. It really made me realize once again that what this factory is producing isn’t just a “product”—it’s “thoughtfulness.”
A: “That’s why we use only pure cotton, pure silicone, and tap water. This is our commitment—and our pride.”
I see. That’s good to know. Dissolve it in water and let it dry. Somehow, that makes me feel like I could make it myself.
A: “I don’t think it’s that simple. Just drying it alone requires quite substantial equipment. And to get the silicone dissolved in water to penetrate efficiently, it takes a lot of skill.”
I see. So, since the materials are simple, it’s a world where skill really makes the difference. What kind of techniques are we talking about specifically?
A: “Let’s just call it a secret technique passed down through generations (laughs). I could teach you, but it’ll take you ten years just to master the basics. Once you’ve got that down, you move on to the advanced techniques. And only those who’ve mastered the advanced techniques can open the secret scroll and get their hands on the forbidden silicone cloth.”
Yeah, yeah... I get it. I’m not sure how much of that was a joke, but I definitely understand just how deep this field is. Wow—I’d been a bit too casual about it, thinking it was just a simple silicone cloth. I had no idea it ran this deep. It’s only because of such solid technical expertise that you can create a product so full of thoughtfulness, isn’t it?
● The Significance of the Silicone Cloth and Hyper Micro Cloth
Having seen the manufacturing process up to this point, I could really feel their dedication and strong passion. But after all that, a basic question arose: Why use silicone in the first place? So I decided to ask them outright.
A: “Well, if it didn’t contain silicone, it wouldn’t be a silicone cloth, would it?”
That makes perfect sense. To use an analogy, it’s like coffee without cream? No, even worse than that. Coffee without coffee? That’s just hot water…
A: “Fundamentally, silicone creates an ultra-thin film on the surface it’s polished against, giving it a lustrous finish. It’s a crucial element for achieving that beautiful sheen.”
I see. It took me this long to finally understand. So a silicone cloth isn’t meant for removing dirt—it’s meant to create a beautiful sheen. But I asked him another question: “If the goal is just to remove dirt and clean things up, wouldn’t plain cotton work just fine without any silicone?”
A: “That’s true… But if you want to remove dirt, there’s something even better than pure cotton. This is it.”
Saying that, the specialist proudly pulled out another cloth. It was… THE Used Instrument Shop Hyper Micro Cloth, which we actually sell in our store. I thought this was just a premium version of the silicone cloth, but is that not the case?
A: “The concept is completely different. If you want to add shine, use a silicone cloth; if you want to remove dirt, the Micro Cloth is unbeatable.”
Saying this, the specialist flashes a confident smile. Now, let’s uncover the secret of the Micro Cloth.
A: “Microcro is made from fibers much finer than cotton—in fact, they’re thinner than one-hundredth of a human hair.”
The specialist spoke proudly. I get that they’re fine. But so what?
A: “For example, let’s say there’s a grain of sand on the surface of a musical instrument. Could you remove it with chopsticks?”
No, I can’t. After all, the tip of the chopstick is much bigger.
A: “Exactly. If you tried to pick it up with chopsticks, you might end up pressing the grain down or scratching the surface. But if you use something much thinner—like the tip of a fine brush—you can safely remove the grain. That’s the principle behind Microcloth.”
That’s a great analogy. ↓Image of this analogy
A: “Dirt like fingerprints that sticks to musical instruments actually consists mostly of particles smaller than the tips of cotton fibers. You can’t wipe those away with ordinary fibers. But since this Micro-Cloth is made of fibers so fine you could say there’s nothing finer, it can remove almost all of that dirt.”
Won’t rubbing with such fine tips cause scratches?
A: "That’s another amazing feature of Microcloth. Even though the fibers are this thin, they’re incredibly soft, so you can use it with confidence. Actually, the fibers have a more complex shape than shown in this illustration—they’re kind of like flower petals. Because they grip the dirt and don’t let go, they can truly clean the surface."
I totally get how amazing Microcloth is. Does this contain any silicone?
A: "It doesn't contain any silicone. This product is specifically designed to remove dirt, so it contains absolutely no ingredients meant to add shine. It's made entirely from fibers woven with ultra-fine special fibers."
So it sounds safe to use.
A: "That's right. We use only pure, domestically produced microfiber, so you can use it with confidence even on lacquered surfaces. Plus, since it's made of pure fibers with no additives, you can wash it and use it over and over again. It also has excellent absorbency, making it perfect for wiping away sweat."
I already fully appreciate this factory’s consideration for its users. In that case, it must be safe to use even on a baby’s diaper.
A: "Well, that might be a bit much... Plus, it’s expensive."
Right. That’s actually what I was thinking. The Hyper Micro Cloth we sell at our store is 1,000 yen—that’s 2.5 times the price of a silicone cloth. It is a bit pricey, isn’t it?
A: "You’re right, it is a bit pricey. But I truly believe it’s worth every penny. After all, it’s made with cutting-edge, ultra-fine fibers produced by a top-tier domestic textile manufacturer. It’s true that lately, you see cheaper products labeled as ‘microcro’ or ‘microfiber cloth.’ But the problem is, there’s no official definition specifying exactly how fine the fibers need to be to qualify as microfiber. So even if they aren’t this fine—just slightly thinner than average—they’re still sold under the name ‘microfiber cloth.’」
Are you saying there are counterfeits on the market?
A: “Well, I wouldn’t go so far as to call them counterfeits. But inexpensive microfiber products made overseas don’t have fibers this fine. The ones we use here are at the absolute limit—there are no finer fibers than these. In that sense, Japanese textile manufacturers’ technical expertise is truly the best in the world.”
I see. So it’s the pinnacle of Japanese technology. And since you can wash and reuse it, it’s definitely more cost-effective than buying several other cloths. Maybe I’ll buy one for myself. I’m starting to feel like doing just that.
●The Reality of the Cleaning Cloth Industry
I see. I’ve learned so much from this visit—including just how passionately this factory approaches cloth production. To be honest, I never expected people to get this fired up just talking about silicone cloth… Well, thank you so much. You shared some fascinating stories, and a few that were a bit unsettling too. But do impure cloths containing harmful substances really exist?
A: “Unfortunately, I can’t say they don’t exist at all. When you try to cut costs, that’s just how it ends up. If they’re made cheaply overseas, you have no way of knowing. And unfortunately, not everyone makes them with only the instrument in mind. For example, what if a manufacturer makes a cloth intended for shoe polishing, and someone imports it for use on instruments just because it’s cheap? So the problem isn’t just on the manufacturing side.”
Yuck! I wouldn’t want to play a wind instrument that’s been polished with something like that.
A: “That’s why it’s so important to manufacture domestically, and for us here at the factory to work directly with retailers. When we receive a request from a music store, we can craft our products with the musicians in mind.”
That’s right. Communication really is key. And if we can get products made with this much care and consideration, that’s the best outcome. By the way, are there any particular challenges involved in making these cloths?
A: “It’s not exactly a struggle, but it’s a product where our craftsmanship and attention to detail can be hard to convey. Its true quality only really comes out after years and years of use.”
Hmm, that’s true.
A: “With musical instruments, you can tell right away—just by playing them—that it’s a good instrument. With food, too, you take a bite and think, ‘This is delicious!’ You get to see that look of joy on the customer’s face. But in our case, it’s hard to tell just by holding it that it’s a good cloth.”
To be honest, even I can’t tell the difference between a good and a bad cloth just by looking at it…
A: “Do we ever have customers who ask, ‘Can I try polishing with this cloth?’”
No, we don’t get customers like that…
A: “Exactly. Their true value only becomes apparent once they’ve been used until they’re completely worn out. And then they get thrown away. We probably don’t get thanked very often. That’s why we make them while picturing the instruments being polished with our cloths and the smiles of the people playing them.”
I see... Even as a self-proclaimed music enthusiast, I’ve never actually thought to thank a polishing cloth. It’s the first time I’ve realized that the joy of playing an instrument exists because of people like this, working hard behind the scenes.
A: “It’s not exactly something to brag about, but I’ve never once received a complaint. I’ve never heard anyone say they ran into trouble after using this cloth. It seems that sort of thing doesn’t happen very often in this line of work. So I take it to mean that everyone is truly satisfied, and that makes me happy.”
I see. Thank you very much.
●After the Interview
To be honest, when I set out for this interview, I wondered if there was really enough to ask or write about for a feature on silicone cloths. I never imagined I’d be heading home with such a warm feeling. It was a surprising revelation to discover that so much care and
such deep care and affection—was a surprising revelation. I’m truly glad I had the chance to conduct this interview. The single cloth I received at the factory as I was leaving felt somehow heavy and warm, as if it were imbued with everyone’s feelings. It made me want to polish my instrument when I got home, filled with a sense of gratitude. And I hope that not just today, but many, many years from now—when this cloth has finally worn out—I’ll be able to express my thanks once again.
● That Silicone Cloth!
I’m sure you’ve come to realize by now that this is no ordinary silicone cloth.
Please cherish it for many years to come.
Please use it for a long time and experience its true quality for yourself.
How much do you know? Silicone Cloth © 2010 by TCGAKKI is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
