Oh my goodness gracious! Being nice to your instruments includes cleaning them every month or two! I saw something in a trumpet today that could probably be considered a biohazard - YUCK!
Brass players - You can take out your slides and valves and put your instruments in a tub of lukewarm water. (Hot water will strip the lacquer off of your isntrument. I like to give my trombone a bath in dishwashing liquid because it will take out the grease and oil. After bathing the instrument, you should lubricate the tuning slides with petroleum jelly (vaseline) and then oil your valves or trombone slides.
Woodwinds - DO NOT BOIL YOUR INSTRUMENTS! This is good advice for any instrument but you should not put your instrument in water. You can clean off mouthpieces with a cloth or toothbrush and some mouthwash. Do use your cleaning cloths to remove moisture after practicing. The only way to really disinfect is to take it to a repair shop and get it chemically cleaned.
Percussion - There is really nothing that you need to do but you should dust off your instruments and practice!
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