How to Care your flute
*A flute on the floor is a flute no more.
*No hot dash boards in the summer,
*No ski trips in the winter.
*No walking in the snow playing it;
*Never lay it on a heater when you come in
from the cold.
*If you need a winter coat it needs to be in it's flute bag.
*If you don't have a flute bag, make one or order one.
*I oil with walnut oil. linseed. Others use Mineral Oil,
*Oil on the outside when you want it to shine.
*As often as you wish, dry with napkin.
*You can oil inside too. Make a hole in a dowel. Tie a tiny piece of cloth in a knot through it. If you are in dry places you can oil every 3-6 months

Playing a bamboo instrument outdoor on a cold day is not recommended. The hot breath passing through the bamboo will make too drastic a drop in temperature in too short of a time resulting in sudden contraction of the bamboo - instant crack!

The condensation inside the instrument should be wiped dry after playing. The inside bore, the embouchure wall, the finger holes and the end grains should be oiled every few months depends on frequency of use and climate.

Some tips from The Early Flute"by John Solum

Always warm the instrument before playing. A cold instrument will condense your warm breath faster than a warm one. A cold instrument being warmed by playing will also be unstable in pitch while warming. Warm the instrument slowly by holding it in your hands or under your arm. Electrical heating rolls are a recent development which are designed to warm flutes or recorders prior to using them.

Avoid extremes of temperature and humidity, or sudden changes. Because wood and ivory react noticeably to such things, it is common sense to minimize variations in humidity and temperature. If you live in a climate with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters, it is especially advisable to stabilize the humidity and temperature as much as possible. Steam heating is particularly stressful on wooden or ivory instruments unless the air is humidified. Ideal conditions are 68°F (20°C) and 50 per cent relative humidity. Above all, avoid placing the instrument on or near direct sources of heat, such as radiators or vents. When not in use (especially in winter), a traverso should be kept in an airtight plastic bag to help stabilize the moisture content, if you are in a geographic location of relatively low humidity. In a damp climate, a cloth or sheepskin roll-up bag provides the best protection, allowing moisture to flow to and fro.