How To Clean A Guitar

Guitars are beautiful instruments and they deserve to be kept in the best condition possible. This article will provide you with instructions on how to clean a guitar.

Get a soft cloth

Get a soft cloth and a bowl of soapy water. Dip the cloth in the water and wring it out. Wipe down your guitar, using circular motions. Rinse the cloth in the bowl of clean water and wring it out again. Wipe down the guitar again using circular motions to remove soap residue. Dry off your guitar with another clean part of the cloth.

Get guitar polish, soapy water, and clean water

Get a soft cloth and some guitar polish. Apply the polish to the cloth, but do not overdo it. Dab off any extra on the side of the bowl. Wipe down your guitar, using circular motions. Rinse the cloth in clean water and wring it out again before wiping down your guitar. Dry off your guitar with another clean part of the cloth.

Dip the cloth in the soapy water and wring it out

Wipe down the entire guitar, using circular motions. Rinse the cloth in the bowl of clean water and wring it out. Wipe down the guitar again, using circular motions. Dry off the guitar with the cloth. Apply guitar polish to a soft cloth and wipe down the entire guitar.

Wipe down the entire guitar with circular motions

Wipe down the entire guitar with circular motions, using the soapy cloth. Rinse the soapy cloth in clean water and wring it out before wiping down your guitar again with circular motions, to remove soap residue. Dry off your guitar by dabbing another clean part of the cloth on it.

Apply some more polishing compound to a soft, dry cloth and wipe down your entire guitar with circular motions. Apply some final polishing compound to the cloth, and wipe down your guitar once more, this time with light pressure.

Rinse the cloth in clean water and wring it out again

Dry off your guitar with another clean part of the cloth. Apply some more polishing compound to a soft, dry cloth and wipe down your entire guitar with circular motions. Apply some final polishing compound to the cloth, and wipe down your guitar once more, this time with light pressure.

Dry off the guitar with a dry part of the towel

Apply guitar polish to a soft cloth and wipe down all parts of your guitar that you want to shine up

Let the guitar sit for 30 minutes so it can dry completely

Let your guitar sit for at least 30 minutes so it can dry completely. The guitar’s lacquer coating will protect the guitar from dust and moisture, but to be completely safe you should take a soft cloth and buff out fingerprints and smudges left by your hands. Apply a thin layer of polish all over the body of the guitar. Buff it evenly with a clean part of the cloth.

Apply some more polishing compound to the soft, dry cloth and rub out any areas that seem too dark. Wipe your guitar down one last time with light pressure, ensuring any excess polish is off of your instrument.

FAQ

What is the purpose of cleaning a guitar?

The purpose of cleaning a guitar is to remove any dust, oils, and dirt from it.

How often should I clean my guitar?

You should clean your guitar after every use.

Is using a washing machine a good way to clean a guitar?

No, this is not a good way to clean a guitar because you cannot reach some parts of the guitar, and washing machines can damage strings.

Should I use soap on my guitar?

No, using soap is very bad for your guitar’s finish and may cause it to deteriorate faster than usual. Using soapy water will also remove any dust or oil that has seeped into the wood.

How should I dry my guitar after I clean it? You should let your guitar air-dry for at least an hour before you play it to prevent any string squeak that might come from using a towel on the strings. If you are in a rush, gently dabbing another part of the cloth against the strings will work fine.

What kind of cloth should I use to clean my guitar? You can use a soft cotton or microfiber cloth to wipe down your guitar’s body and polish it up. It is not recommended that you use paper towels, as they can leave behind fibers and lint which you do not want on your instrument.

Conclusion

Guitarists should clean their guitars after every use to prevent them from accumulating dust, dirt and oil. Cleaning the guitar with soapy water is a good way of removing any oils or other substances from it without damaging its finish. We hope this article has provided you with insight into how to clean your guitar.