Learn proper guitar care and maintenance techniques to keep your instrument playing and sounding its best for years to come. Essential guide for protecting your investment.
Regular maintenance keeps your guitar playing smoothly, sounding great, and preserving its value. Proper care prevents costly repairs, extends the life of your instrument, and ensures consistent playability. A well-maintained guitar is more enjoyable to play and will inspire you to practice more.
• Microfiber cloths: Lint-free, won't scratch finish (3-4 cloths)
• Guitar polish: Instrument-specific cleaner (avoid household cleaners)
• Fretboard conditioner: For rosewood/ebony fretboards
• String cleaner: Extends string life between changes
• Soft-bristled brush: For cleaning hard-to-reach areas
• 0000 steel wool: For stubborn fret grime (use sparingly)
• Fret polishing compounds for deep cleaning
• Neck rest or guitar cradle for stable cleaning
• Humidifier for acoustic guitars
• Electronic contact cleaner for electric guitars
• Lemon oil for unfinished fretboards
1. Wipe down strings: Use clean, dry cloth to remove oil and sweat
2. Clean under strings: Slide cloth under strings to clean fretboard
3. Wipe guitar body: Remove fingerprints and moisture from finish
4. Check tuning: Note any tuning instability issues
5. Store properly: Case or stand in stable environment
• String wipe (both sides): 30 seconds
• Body and neck cleaning: 45 seconds
• Hardware check: 30 seconds
• Proper storage: 15 seconds
• Clean, flat surface: Use towel to protect guitar
• Good lighting: LED or natural light to see dirt clearly
• Loosen strings: Reduce tension for fretboard access
• Gather supplies: Have all cleaning materials ready
• Take photos: Document before state for comparison
For Rosewood/Ebony (unfinished):
• Apply small amount of lemon oil to cloth
• Work oil into fretboard with circular motions
• Let oil penetrate for 5-10 minutes
• Wipe excess with clean, dry cloth
For Maple (finished):
• Use slightly damp cloth only
• Avoid oils or conditioners
• Dry immediately with clean cloth
• Use 0000 steel wool: Gently rub lengthwise along frets
• Mask fretboard: Use tape to protect wood from steel wool
• Light pressure only: Let steel wool do the work
• Clean each fret: Work systematically from 1st to last fret
• Polish if needed: Use fret polish for extra shine
• Apply guitar polish: Spray on cloth, not directly on guitar
• Clean in sections: Work on small areas at a time
• Circular motions: Then buff with grain direction
• Back of neck: Pay special attention to worn areas
• Avoid electronics: Keep moisture away from pickups and jacks
• Clean regularly: Wipe down tuning pegs and posts
• Lubricate sparingly: Tiny drop of light machine oil annually
• Check tightness: Ensure screws are secure but not over-tight
• Test operation: Tuners should turn smoothly without slipping
• Clean bridge and bridge pins regularly
• Check for lifting or cracks in bridge
• Ensure saddle sits properly in slot
• Clean bridge posts and saddles
• Check intonation screw operation
• Lubricate tremolo systems annually
• Clean pots and switches: Use contact cleaner spray
• Exercise controls: Turn knobs and flip switches regularly
• Check connections: Ensure jacks are tight and clean
• Pickup height: Verify pickups haven't shifted
• Humidity: 45-55% relative humidity
• Temperature: 68-77°F (20-25°C)
• Avoid extremes: Rapid changes damage wood and finish
• Monitor conditions: Use hygrometer in music room
• Use humidifiers: Especially important in winter
Inspect for winter damage, adjust humidity, check neck relief
Monitor high humidity, check for swelling, clean frequently
Prepare for heating season, deep clean, check tuning stability
Use humidifier, avoid heating vents, monitor for cracking
• Guitar stand: Secure, stable stand away from traffic
• Wall hanger: Proper mounting, padded contact points
• Avoid leaning: Never lean guitar against walls or furniture
• Away from hazards: Heat sources, direct sunlight, high traffic
• Stable environment: Consistent temperature and humidity
• Hard case required: Protection from environment and impacts
• Loosen strings: Reduce tension by 2-3 semitones
• Clean thoroughly: Remove all oils and dirt before storage
• Humidity control: Use case humidifier if needed
• Check periodically: Inspect every 2-3 months
Causes: Low action, worn frets, neck relief issues
Solutions: Adjust neck relief, file frets, setup adjustment
Causes: Old strings, nut issues, tuning machine wear
Solutions: Change strings, lubricate nut, replace tuners
Causes: Dirty pots, loose connections, corrosion
Solutions: Contact cleaner, exercise controls, professional wiring check
Causes: Impacts, chemical damage, UV exposure
Solutions: Touch-up pens, professional refinishing, prevention
• Action adjustment: String height modifications
• Neck relief: Truss rod adjustments
• Intonation: Bridge/saddle positioning
• Electrical issues: Pickup problems, rewiring
• Structural problems: Cracks, neck issues
• Fret work: Leveling, crowning, replacement
After each session: Wipe strings and body (2 minutes)
Weekly: Deep clean fretboard and hardware (30 minutes)
Monthly: Check tuning machines, electronics, case condition
Seasonally: Professional setup, humidity check, deep inspection
Annually: Complete maintenance, replace worn parts, string change
• Make your own string cleaner with isopropyl alcohol and water (50/50)
• Use old t-shirts cut into squares as cleaning cloths
• Buy supplies in bulk and share with other guitarists
• Learn basic setup procedures to avoid frequent tech visits
• Invest in quality tools that last vs. cheap replacements