How to Care for a Guitar

• A guitar
• A soft cloth
• Guitar polish
• A guitar stand/case

Steps

1

Step One

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Get a guitar stand. This is actually part of cleaning. If the guitar is laying on the floor or somewhere else it can get damaged or collect dust.

2

Step Two

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Keep the guitar in a non-humid room (around 50% humidity) and room temperaturea??the attic or the basement isna??t your best bet. An overly dry environment isna??t good either, you may need a humidifier. A guitar is made of wood, which can swell or crack depending on the environment.

3

Step Three

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Clean the guitar with a damp micro-fiber clotha??not your standard dishrag, but a soft cloth. Guitar stores sell cloths specifically for guitars.

4

Step Four

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After cleaning the guitar, use a guitar polish. This isna??t recommended all the time as some guitar polishes can strip the finish over time. Absolutely stay away from 409 and other household cleaners. Mild furniture polish can work, but guitar polish is recommended.

• Keep the guitar in its case, if not on a guitar stand. Some people just like to have the guitar on display.
• When you change strings, clean the fretboarda??an argument for changing strings frequently so there isna??t too much buildup from oil and dirt on the fingers. Dona??t scrub the fretboard, even if ita??s dirtya??this can damage the fretboarda??s natural finish.
• Check your guitara??s manufacturing guidelinesa??each guitar, acoustic or electric, may have different requirements or warnings about cleaning.