Why Almond Oil

• Some oils are not good for wood treatment because they can be drying. If you have a musical instrument, particularly one with a wood finish, the last thing you want to do is treat it with something that will dry it out. Almond oil is a non-drying oil, so using it is not a problem. Almond oil can also be spread very thin -- making it good for instruments -- because it will not oversaturate, which can damage the integrity of the instrument.
  
  

Wood Treatment

• Wood is a very porous material. This means that it must be treated with special substances to not only help protect it from soaking in damaging elements like moisture, but also to help keep it looking good. Almond oil gives a sheer layer of protection, helping prevent moisture from seeping into the wood, which can crack or splinter it. It also gives it a nice sheen, which makes the instrument aesthetically pleasing.
  
  

Woodwind Instruments

• Woodwind instruments play music when blown into, such as an oboe. These instruments need to be treated at varying levels of frequency, depending on the type of wood and how much moisture the wood is exposed to. The amount of moisture depends on the environment the instrument is kept in and whether moisture from the mouth is a factor. The flute is a good example. Saliva from the mouth can soak into the inside wood, waterlogging it. If the outside of the instrument is dry and the inside is waterlogged, this creates an imbalance that causes cracking in the wood. Almond oil will not only care for the outer wood, but help create more of a balance in moisture so that cracks in the wood do not occur.
  
  

Types and Where to Buy

• The best type of almond oil to buy is food grade almond oil, because these are not treated with a lot of chemicals that can be dangerous to your instrument. Even though almond oil is not a drying oil, it can quickly become one depending on what else is added. Any almond oil you apply to your instrument should be 100 percent pure. Almond oil can sometimes be found in your local grocery store, though in some areas a trip to a gourmet or specialty store may be needed to find it. Almond oil can also be found in many vitamin and natural health stores. You can buy almond oil for your instrument at any of these locations, just check the label to make sure it is 100 percent almond oil.