Practice daily maintenance. Cleaning of the bugle should be conducted on a daily basis as it can help reduce the chances of oxidation and rust. Take off the bugle's mouthpiece. Drain out any water that has accumulated within the horn. Make sure to thoroughly wipe down the instrument after playing.
Use gentle soap to clean out the bugle. Place the instrument over a surface that is soft -- such as over a towel on a bed -- in order to not damage any elements of the horn. Take apart the different pieces of the horn and eliminate any of the slides and valves. Clean all of the parts with mild, warm and soapy water. For care of tight spots that are hard to get into, water picks are beneficial. For the casing of the valves, use a cloth strip to polish it down.
Dry the bugle down. After cleaning the brass instrument, look for a cloth to wipe it down. For the internal parts of the bugle, blow inside to dry out any water that could be remaining. Valve oil is helpful for the valves, and the outer portions of the instrument can be cleaned with lacquer polish.
Put the instrument in a plastic bag. If the bugle is not intended for daily use and is going to be placed into storage for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to put it inside of a plastic bag, such as one from the grocery store. Make sure the bugle is entirely dry in order to avoid accumulation of tarnish from occurring.
Try to avoid stuck mouthpieces. One situation that is particularly problematic for bugle players is the stuck mouthpiece. The problem can generally be remedied by using rubber mallets to pull on the mouthpiece and for patting over the receiver. In order to avoid the problem in the first place, it is helpful to make sure to never forget to take out the mouthpiece before storing the bugle.