The Hodge Premium Flute Swab is made from 100% silk for removing moisture from woodwind instruments after each use. Hodge uses silk because it is absorbent, lint free and compressible. The swabs are large enough to wick the moisture out of the larger part of the bore, but compressible enough to pull through the neck. They pull through the fully assembled instrument. They do not leave lint in the keys. They are not stored inside the instrument so the moisture does not remain. Hodge swabs are regularly recommended by repairmen for optimum care of your instrument. The silk alto clarinet swabs are made with a large plastic coated weight allowing the swab to drop through the instrument without hanging up in the large key holes. They are capable of cleaning the entire instrument including the neck and mouthpiece without taking the instrument apart.