How To Clean Your Guitar
How to clean your guitar
Given the times we are living in, we need to make sure every surface is clean, that we are clean, and that our possessions are clean. Your guitar is no exception. Guitars can take a lot of wear and tear, but they are still delicate instruments. To prevent potentially costly maintenance issues, buy your guitar from a reputable dealer or fellow musician and make sure it’s set up properly and plays well before you take it home.
Wash your hands before playing
Much of the dirt and grime on your guitar strings come from your hands and who knows where your hands have been. You can keep your strings in their best condition by making sure your hands are clean before you play. Use hand sanitizer right before you play which will kill any bacteria on your hands as well as get rid of oils on your hands which can damage your strings and guitar over time.
Wipe your strings after playing
Even if you took care to keep your hands clean, your strings will get dirty as you play. Wiping them down with a dry, soft cloth will keep them in their best condition. If you don’t wipe your strings down regularly, you can purchase a string cleaner and lubricant at your local guitar store or music shop.
Blow away dust with a compressed air spray
You can buy a can of compressed air at any office supply store. These typically are sold to clean computer keyboards, but also work well for cleaning between your strings and the body of the guitar.
Wipe your guitar
A damp cloth will remove most of the dirt and chemicals that have collected on your guitar. Never spray liquid on your guitar, as it can damage the wood. The chemicals in cleaner also can damage your guitar’s finish.
Keep your guitar in its case
The best way to adequately protect your guitar from the elements is to store it in a hard case or gig bag at all times when you aren’t playing it. Even having it on a stand or hanging on the wall means it could be bumped or damaged or collect who knows what from the air.
Avoid moisture
Your guitar is made of thin wood that can be warped or damaged fairly easily, so any kind of moist or humid conditions are not your guitar’s friend. If you live in a humid climate, consider storing your guitar in an area with a dehumidifier.
Light and temperature
Light and temperature can also damage your instrument. Leaving your guitar in direct sunlight could cause the finish to fade over time. Try to keep your guitar in a space between 72 and 77°F.
Keeping your guitar in top shape will give it a longer life. Because of all the chaos of the world right now, it’s also important to keep in clean so that your guitar doesn’t become a breeding ground for unwanted viruses and disease.