You can't play an instrument without your guitar strings.The quality of music you can produce can be negatively impacted by the fact that strings can become easily dirty.It is possible to keep your guitar's strings in optimal condition by knowing when to clean and lubricate them.
Step 1: You should position your guitar.
You can free up your hands by resting your guitar on its back.You can use a table, box, guitar case, or even your own lap.Turn the guitar face up if your guitar has a neck strap.Make sure the guitar's head is not touching anything, and place it on a block to make sure tuning pegs don't get messed with.
Step 2: Pick a rag and cleaning solution.
Some people prefer to use a paper towel, microfiber cloth, or dry dish towel that they fold into eighths, while others prefer a clean cotton diaper.You just want to make sure that the cloth or paper product is clean, dry, and soft.If you want to prevent your guitar from being sprayed, spray the solution onto your rag first.Excess cleaning solution can be difficult to remove.A towel with some water in it will suffice for a guitar with nylon strings.Fast-Fret String Cleaner is one of the guitar string cleaners that can be used for guitars with steel strings.If you cannot afford them, you don't have to use them.Pre-shaving gel and rubbing alcohol can be effective.
Step 3: The rag needs to be positioned.
With your rag wet and ready to clean your strings, slide half of the sheet underneath the guitar strings near the bridge or bottommost portion.The entire cloth should be folded over so that it covers both sides of the strings.
Step 4: The rag should be moved along the strings.
You want to go all the way from the bridge to the nut of your guitar.If you finger pick your instrument, the portions over the soundhole should be on your mind.Pull upward to make sure you get the underside of the top portion.Cleaning both sides of your teeth is just as important as cleaning the strings.Even if the tuning pegs get messed up, you can always re tune your guitar.You will probably notice that your guitar strings change color, or that the cloth comes away with grey streaks.This is a sign that your efforts are working.
Step 5: Determine what strings you have.
lubricating your strings is not necessary for nylon guitars.The nylon strings are resistant tocorrosion.If you have a guitar that has steel strings, you'll want to use some lubricant to keep them from getting sticky, dirty, and corroded.If you want to find out what the strings are made of, you can check the packaging.If you don't have the product packaging anymore, a good rule of thumb is to consider the kind of guitar you have and the genres it's made to play.Steel strings are more likely to be used in electric and bass guitars associated with blues, country, and rock and pop music.
Step 6: Spread something on a rag.
You can use the same rag that you used to clean the dirt from before by flipping it over and using the clean side.You can use a new rag for this part of the cleaning process if you feel like it's too dirty.If you choose a lubricant that doesn't contain a petroleum base, it can cause damage to your guitar over time.You can buy commercial oiling products that are specifically made for guitars.Olive oil, baby oil and Vaseline are all cheap and readily available.You don't want to apply the lubricant directly to the strings as there's a chance you'll get grease on the fretboard which will be hard to clean up.
Step 7: The rag should be run across the strings.
The way to fold the rag is the same as when you ran the cloth or towel from the bridge and saddle area to the nut.Use your fingers to apply pressure to the strings.The strings should end up looking better.They should be smooth to the touch.