The extent of the cleaning process will depend on the organ, its position, frequency of use, and other contributing factors.
There is no strict time frame when this is required, but cleaning is usually carried out every 20 to 25 years. Advice would be given about this on your inspection or visit. Full cleaning requires the removal of all pipes, which are transported to the workshop to be cleaned – and repaired if needed. Action components are removed and cleaned. The soundboards will be thoroughly checked and the tip boards, slides and tables will be removed to identify any possible damage. They will then be cleaned and re-treated with black lead. At this time, any remedial work can be carried out.
The instrument, once clean, is re-assembled with the greatest of care with particular attention to the speech, regulation and tuning of each individual pipe.