Guitars are still delicate instruments despite taking a lot of wear and tear.To prevent potentially costly maintenance issues, buy your guitar from a dealer or fellow musician and make sure it's set up properly and plays well before you take it home.Cleaning and storing your guitar properly will maintain that sweet sound.
Step 1: Dust can be blown away with a spray of compressed air.
You can buy compressed air at any store.These are sold to clean computer keyboards, but also work well for cleaning between the strings and the body of the guitar.Before you clean your guitar, use compressed air to get rid of loose particles.This will reduce the amount of work you have to do with other cleaning supplies.
Step 2: You can wipe your guitar with a cloth.
The dirt and chemicals on your guitar can be removed with a damp cloth.It's a bad idea to spray liquid on your guitar.The guitar's finish can be damaged by the chemicals in the cleaner.Before touching your instrument, wring the cloth out.You don't want to see any liquid on the guitar as you wipe it.It's a good idea to wipe your guitar down after you finish playing it.Keep a soft cloth in your guitar case.A cloth diaper or clean T-shirt can work.
Step 3: You can use an old toothbrush to clean your bridge.
If your toothbrush is no longer suitable to clean your teeth, you can give it a second life by brushing the grooves in your fretboard.There is a lot of dead skin cells around the frets you play the most often.You can get to the frets with this method if you have the strings off your guitar.You don't want to brush your strings with a toothbrush.If you want to clean your fretboard with an old toothbrush, make sure you don't get the toothbrush too wet or spray any liquid on the surface.
Step 4: Make sure your fretboard is in good shape.
It is more difficult to play when there is build up on the fretboard.To protect your fretboard from future damage, wipe it with lemon oil after you've cleaned it.Don't use the same polishes for furniture and guitar.The wood on the neck of your guitar needs to be treated differently.
Step 5: Glass cleaner can be used to clean metal parts.
If you have an electric guitar, you probably have metal parts on it.You can use plain commercial glass cleaner to get rid of gunk.Before cleaning the parts, spray your cleaner on a cloth.Don't spray the cleaner on the guitar.
Step 6: If necessary, use guitar polish.
If you want to polish the guitar's body, use a polish specifically designed for guitars.Ordinary furniture polish can destroy your guitar's finish, so it may be a little pricier than other polishes.Do not spray polish or any other wet substance on your guitar, just wipe it down with a rag.You can use a different cloth to clean your guitar body.It is important to avoid cross-contamination of both cleaners and dirt.Pick a polish that matches the finish of the guitar.Different types of polish are required for guitars with different finishes.
Step 7: The guitar's nut needs to be removed.
Your guitar's sound and playability are affected by the build-up of dead skin cells and dust on the nut.Before you set the new string, make sure you clean your nut.Don't use solvent or chemical cleaners.Dental floss can be used to get the gunk out of the nut.
Step 8: Remove any loose screws.
There are screws and bolts in your guitar.These can affect the sound of your guitar over time.Before storing your instrument, check for loose screws.If you need to tighten any loose screws, keep the appropriate tools in your guitar case.
Step 9: You should keep your guitar in its case.
The best way to protect your guitar from the elements is to store it in a hard case or gig bag at all times when you're not playing it.It could be damaged if it is hanging on the wall.
Step 10: It's a good idea to avoid precipitation.
Any kind of moist or humid conditions are not good for your guitar because it is made of thin wood that can be warped or damaged easily.If you live in a humid climate, you should store your guitar in an area with a dehumidifier.Ideally, you want to store your guitar in a place where the relative humidity is between 45 and 55 percent.
Step 11: Light and temperature can be seen.
Light and temperature can damage your instrument.The finish of your guitar could fade over time if you leave it in direct sunlight.It's best to keep your guitar in a space between 72 and 77 F.A rapid change in temperature or humidity can cause your finish to crack.The sound of your instrument won't be affected by this, but it can weaken the wood and make it more vulnerable to damage.
Step 12: Purchase a set of strap locks.
If you frequently play your guitar hanging from a guitar strap, a set of strap locks is essential to maintain and keep it looking its best.If you want your guitar to stay on the strap, lock it in place.Without straplocks, your guitar could come loose from the strap while you're playing, and you could drop it as a result.It can damage your guitar's finish or crack it.You can pick up strap locks at any guitar or music store.If you know you're going to play your guitar on a strap, it's a good idea to get a set.
Step 13: Before playing, wash your hands.
Your hands make up a lot of the dirt on your guitar strings.Before you play your guitar, make sure your hands are clean.It's a good idea to use hand sanitizer before you play, it will kill any germs on your hands as well as the oils on them which can damage your guitar over time.
Step 14: After playing, wipe your strings.
Your guitar strings will get dirty even if you keep your hands clean.The best way to keep them in their best condition is to wipe them down with a soft cloth.A dish towel of a cotton diaper can be used.You can clean the string by wrapping the cloth around it.
Step 15: Use a string cleaner.
If you haven't been wiping down your strings regularly or if they have a lot of gunk on them, you can purchase a string cleaner and lubricant at your local guitar store or music shop.There aren't strictly necessary string cleaners.You should be fine if you wipe down your guitar strings.Commercial cleaners should never be used on guitar strings.If your strings have a lot of build up, you may be better off just replacing them.
Step 16: You should replace your strings every now and then.
Over time, strings build up dust.Depending on how frequently you play your guitar, how often you need to change your strings.You should be changing them at least once a couple of months.If you take all your strings off at the same time, you can cause your guitar to loose tension, which will affect its sound.Move to the next pair after removing and replacing the lowest two strings.Take the time to clean the frets and oil the fretboard when you replace the strings.