What can be used to clean a guitar?

Household furniture polish and all-purpose cleaners—such as Pine Sol, Windex, and 409—will also damage your finish. The only household product that’s safe to use to clean your guitar is white distilled vinegar. It will clean the finish, but do you really want a guitar that smells like a pickle?

Can I use rubbing alcohol to clean my guitar?

Rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol is a great cleaning product, but it is not recommended for cleaning guitar strings. While rubbing alcohol will do a great job at removing grime from your guitar strings, it can potentially damage your fretboard.

How do you clean fingerprints off a guitar?

Fingerprints, smudges, or dirtier spots may need a little bit of moisture, so “huff” warm breath on your guitar, just as you would if you were cleaning a window. Then, wipe with the damp cloth. If this still isn’t enough you can use a small amount of mild detergent with water.

Can you clean a guitar with wet wipes?

If they are water-based (not alcohol), they would probably be okay and not damage the finish. You can do just as well with a lightly damp soft cloth, though.

Can I use Dawn to clean my guitar?

Yes, a drop or two of dish soap in a small bowl of water is excellent for getting the dirt off, then go over again with warm water with no soap.

What kind of oil can I use on my guitar?

Most commercially available fretboard oils use mineral oil as their main ingredient. Mineral oil is inexpensive, will not go bad, and is readily available at most pharmacies. So if you want a cheap and virtually identical alternative to commercial fretboard oil, try using mineral oil instead of olive oil.

Can I clean my guitar with soap and water?

As you wipe down your guitar, particularly the top and back, you may notice some spots that don’t come perfectly clean. If you need a bit more cleaning power, try moistening the wiping cloth with a little mild detergent in water. Wet the cloth, not the guitar.

What is the best way to clean my guitar?

Keep a small towel around to dry sweaty hands mid-show. Before playing: use a microfiber cloth to remove any moisture from the strings, pickups, and neck. After playing: wipe down the instrument: strings, fretboard, pickups, tuning machines, body, etc.

What happens if you don’t clean your guitar strings?

Without wiping it off, the product will dry and add a layer of residue to the string. The strings will now sustain for a shorter period and overall sound duller. Changing the guitar strings is an easy way to bring the tone back, but you can likely get the same result from cleaning the guitar strings.

Can you Polish a guitar neck too hard?

Do not rub too hard as it will only polish the neck and make it even glossier. If you are cleaning a guitar neck with an old distressed finish, do not rub it too aggressively. Rubbing too aggressively might rub it off, forcing you to refinish the entire neck.

How do you lubricate guitar strings?

If you have an acoustic or a flamenco guitar, which is used to either play classical or folk music, these guitars usually use nylon strings; electric and bass guitar play in blues, rock, country, and pop genres typically have steel strings. Next, you’re going to want to spread lubricant onto a rag or a cloth.