“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 taken for granted. But wait! Don’t underestimate it just because it’s “just a cloth”! This cloth is specifically designed to polish your precious instrument, and THE Used Instrument Shop takes it very seriously. Precisely because we’re a used instrument specialty store that polishes instruments more than anyone else, we’re going to show you just how serious we are 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 piece of fabric—such as cotton—that has been impregnated with silicone. So, what is silicone? While you might hear this material mentioned often these days in the context of cosmetic surgery, here we can say it’s the substance that helps polish instruments to a high shine. In other words, a silicone cloth is simply a cloth with a shine-enhancing effect.
● Good Silicone Cloths vs. Bad Silicone Cloths
If you’re thinking, “Oh, so a silicone cloth is just the same as a rag dampened with polish,” you’re pretty sharp, but you’re a little off. Well, the nuances might be quite similar, but the major difference lies in the manufacturing process. Each individual silicone crystal contained in the cloth is extremely small—one ten-thousandth the size of a grain of sand, visible only under an electron microscope.Each of these tiny crystals is woven deep into the fibers. Therefore, for a silicone cloth to be good for musical instruments, the base fabric itself must be of high quality. 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. However, I think very few people can give a definitive answer to the question, “Why?”
There are various theories—such as whether the silicone bonds with the lacquer and causes discoloration—but even looking at our inventory of over several thousand instruments, we rarely encounter any that have been damaged by silicone cloth. Since there are no actual cases to begin with, it’s likely difficult to verify this claim.
So, we visited the factory that manufactures our store’s signature silicone cloth—aptly named “THE Used Instrument Store Cloth” (yes, that’s exactly what it’s called)—and asked a specialist. 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 would be a different story if you were to soak the instrument in undiluted silicone solution.”
I see. So it seems that the tiny amount of silicone particles in a single cloth shouldn’t cause any harm. But if there’s even a slight effect, what if you polished the instrument with a silicone cloth millions of times—enough to make it equivalent to soaking it in the undiluted solution? I was curious, so I asked.
A: “The cloth would wear out long before that happened. That aside, well, if you were to apply the undiluted solution directly, there would likely be some effect. In that case, the biggest problem arises when it’s time to refinish. If the lacquer bonds with a large amount of silicon, the bond with the wood becomes stronger, and its resistance to other chemicals increases as well, so stripping the finish becomes a bit of a challenge. The refinishing technician might have a bit of a hard time with it.”
Hmm. 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, given the amount of silicone in the cloth, it’s probably just enough to add a bit of shine—it won’t have much of an effect, for better or worse. But more importantly… actually…”
I was curious to hear the rest of that “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 those are obviously bad 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 as a whole a bad reputation?
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 behind our store’s pride and joy, “THE Used Instrument Shop Cloth.”
● First and Foremost: The Material
As mentioned earlier, a silicone cloth is a fabric with silicone woven into it. That’s why the base fabric is so important. “THE Used Musical Instrument Store Cloth” is made from 100% pure cotton and is carefully woven at a factory in Japan.
Let’s bring back our manufacturing plant specialist for this part.
A: “We could lower costs by using synthetic fibers, but then we wouldn’t be able to ensure the silicone is added uniformly. It might come off after just a little use. Of course, if that happens, one wash and it’s ruined.”
So does that mean if it’s pure cotton, you can wash it and use it again?
A: “It won’t last forever, but since the silicone penetrates deep into the fibers, it won’t fall apart after just a few washes. You can use it repeatedly. Plus, if nylon or other synthetic fibers are mixed in, they can actually damage your instrument. That’s why we’ve consistently stuck with pure cotton.”
I see. That’s reassuring to hear. The material comes first. I’m convinced.
● We’re 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 quite accurate to call it ‘impure silicone.’ By the way, what do you think is the most expensive part of making a silicone cloth?”
I’ve been asked a question in return… 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 it’s invisible to the naked eye. That’s why, if manufacturers want to cut costs, it’s common to see them adding substances other than silicone to the cloth.”
I see. So, in addition to silicone, other substances are mixed in as well. What kinds, for example?
A: “Since the purpose of a silicone cloth is ultimately to bring out the shine of whatever you’re polishing, some products also contain oil or wax to make that effect more noticeable.”
I see. That certainly makes 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 the like evaporate quickly, so they’re only effective for that first brief moment. We want to make products that our customers can use for a long time, so we don’t really use those kinds of ingredients… Besides, 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 safely and enjoy 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 they really put that much thought into making them. We’ve been using these cloths casually every day without a second thought. I never realized there was that much care and thought behind them.
● They’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 infusing that pure silicone into the pure cotton. We asked about that production process as well.
A: “The most important part is how we apply the silicone to the fabric—we use water.”
Water?
A: “We dissolve the silicone particles in water, let them soak in, and then dry it. It’s time-consuming, but I think this is the best method.”
That sounds rather primitive… I apologize for saying so, but that’s what comes to mind as a layperson.
A: “If we’re talking purely about efficiency, there’s also a method where we dissolve the silicone in a volatile solvent and spray it on. That approach certainly eliminates the need for drying equipment and processes, so it’s faster and more cost-effective. However, solvent residues remain on the fabric. Since some organic solvents contain carcinogens, 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 users even in details like this. It made me realize once again that what this factory is really producing isn’t just a “product”—it’s “thoughtfulness.”
A: “That’s why we use only pure cotton, pure silicone, and plain 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 quite that simple. Just the drying process alone requires some pretty robust equipment. And it takes a lot of skill to make the silicone dissolved in water penetrate the material truly efficiently.”
I see. Since the materials are so simple, it’s a world where skill really makes the difference, isn’t it? 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 get the hang of the basics. Once you’ve mastered that, 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 went this deep. It’s only with such solid technical expertise that they can create a product so full of thoughtfulness, isn’t it?
● The Significance of the Silicone Cloth and the Hyper Micro Cloth
Having seen the manufacturing process up to this point, I could really feel their dedication and strong passion. But a basic question arose: Why go to all that trouble to use silicone in the first place? So I took the plunge and asked.
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: “Basically, silicone creates an ultra-thin film on the surface it’s polished against, giving it a sheen. It’s a crucial element for achieving that beautiful luster.”
I see. It took me this long to finally understand. So a silicone cloth isn’t meant for removing dirt—it’s meant to give a beautiful sheen. But I also asked, “If the only purpose were 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 high-end version of the silicone cloth—is that not the case?
A: “The concept is completely different. If you want to add shine, use a silicone cloth; but if you want to remove dirt, the Micro Cloth is unbeatable.”
Saying this, the specialist flashes a confident smile. Now, let’s uncover the secrets of the Micro Cloth.
A: “Microclean cloths are 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 a pair of chopsticks?”
No, you can’t. After all, the tips of chopsticks are much thicker.
A: “Exactly. If you try to pick it up with chopsticks, you might end up pressing the grain of sand down or rubbing it against the surface and scratching it. But if you use something much thinner than chopsticks—like the tip of a fine paintbrush—you can safely remove the grain of sand. That’s the principle behind Microcross.”
That’s a great analogy. ↓ Visualization 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 this Microcloth is made of fibers so fine—you couldn’t get any finer—that it can remove almost all dirt.”
Won’t rubbing with such fine tips cause scratches?
A: “That’s another amazing feature of the Micro Cloth. Even though the fibers are this thin, they’re incredibly soft, so you can use it with confidence. Actually, their shape is even more complex than this illustration—it’s kind of like flower petals. Since 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. Since it’s specifically designed to remove dirt, it doesn’t contain any ingredients meant to add shine. It’s made entirely of fibers woven from ultra-fine, special fibers.”
So it sounds like I can use it with confidence.
A: “That’s right. We use only microfiber that’s 100% made in Japan, 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 reuse it as many times as you like. It also has excellent water absorption, making it perfect for wiping away sweat and the like.”
I already fully understand how much this factory cares about its users. In that case, I guess it’s safe to use even on a baby’s diaper.
A: “Well, that might be a bit much… Besides, it’s expensive.”
Right. That’s actually what I was thinking. The Hyper Micro Cloth we sell at our store costs 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 little pricey. But I truly believe it’s worth every penny.After all, it uses cutting-edge, ultra-fine fibers manufactured by a top-tier domestic textile manufacturer. It’s true that lately, you see cheaper products labeled as ‘micro-cloth’ or ‘microfiber cloth.’ But the problem is, there’s no official definition specifying exactly how many millimeters in diameter a fiber must be to be called ‘microfiber.’ So even if it’s not this fine—just slightly finer than average—it’s 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 fibers finer than this. In that sense, Japanese textile manufacturers’ technical expertise is the best in the world.”
I see. So it’s the pinnacle of Japanese technology. And since you can wash and reuse it over and over, it’s definitely a better deal 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 learned a lot from this visit—including just how passionately this factory is dedicated to making these cloths. To be honest, I didn’t expect people to get this excited just talking about silicone cloths… Well, thank you so much. You shared some interesting stories—and even a few that were a little scary. But do impure cloths containing harmful substances like that really exist?
A: “Unfortunately, I can’t say they don’t exist at all. When manufacturers try to cut costs, that’s inevitably what happens. It’s hard to tell if they’re being made cheaply overseas. Plus, sadly, not everyone makes them with musical instruments as their sole priority. For example, what if a manufacturer produces a cloth intended for shoe polishing, and someone imports it for use on instruments just because it’s cheap? So the problem isn’t limited to the manufacturing side alone.”
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 a music store places an order with us, we can craft our products with the musicians in mind.”
That’s right. Communication really is key. And it’s the best thing ever when we can have products made with so much care and consideration. By the way, are there any particular challenges you face when making these cloths?
A: “I wouldn’t call it a struggle, but it’s a product where our craftsmanship and attention to detail can be hard to convey. Its true value only really comes through 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, right? With food, too, you take a bite and think, ‘This is delicious!’—you get to see the customers’ happy faces. 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 you ever have customers who say, ‘Let me try polishing with this cloth’?”
No one that unusual comes along…
A: “Exactly. Their true value only becomes apparent once customers have used them until they’re completely worn out. And then they get thrown away. We probably don’t hear ‘thank you’ very often. That’s why, when we make these cloths, we imagine the instruments being polished with them and the smiles of the people playing them.”
I see… Even as a humble music enthusiast myself, I’ve certainly never thought to say “thank you” to a polishing cloth. It’s the first time I’ve realized that the joy of playing an instrument comes from the people working hard behind the scenes like this.
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 one of these cloths. It seems that kind 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 “silicone cloth” feature. I never imagined I’d head home feeling this warm inside. I’d always assumed they were all the same and used them as if they were just a given—but to discover that so much care and
passion—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 a bit heavy and warm, as if it were imbued with everyone’s feelings. It made me want to polish my instrument when I got home, as a way of expressing my gratitude. And I hope that not just today, but many, many years from now—when I’ve used this cloth until it’s worn out—I’ll be able to say “thank you” all over again.
●That Silicone Cloth!
I’m sure you’ve come to realize by now that this is no ordinary silicone cloth.
Please enjoy using it for many years to come.
Use it for a long time and experience its benefits for yourself.
How Much Do You Know About Silicone Cloths? © 2010 by TCGAKKI is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
