Deep Cleaning a String Instrument at Home

This video will show you how to maintain and clean your string instrument. You should be taking your instrument to a luthier regularly, but wiping your instrument off every time you practice and doing an occasional deep clean from home can help lengthen the life of your strings and keep your instrument in good playing condition.

You will need:
1) Several clean microfiber cloths
2) White vinegar
3) Distilled water
4) Some spray bottles

Step 1: Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down your instrument. Be sure to get the rosin and dust build-up by the bridge and under the fingerboard and tailpiece.
Step 2: Make a cleaning solution that is equal parts white vinegar and distilled water. Apply a small amount to a microfiber cloth and use it to wipe the rest of the rosin build-up from your strings and fingerboard. Also use it to wipe away the dead skin cell build-up on your chin rest if you have one. DO NOT get this solution on the wood of your instrument as it will eat your varnish.
Step 3: Apply a small amount of distilled water to a different microfiber cloth and wipe away the rest of the dirt from the body of your instrument. Also use this to wipe off the last of the vinegar solution from your strings, fingerboard, and chin-rest.
Step 4: Use a clean DRY microfiber cloth to wipe up the body of the instrument and rub away the fingerprints.

Some things to keep in mind:
Water and wood DO NOT mix, so always apply the cleaning solution or the distilled water to your cloth FIRST. Apply small amounts at a time - your cloth should never be dripping wet.
Even though the cleaning solutions are liquid, your instrument should never really be wet. The water and cleaning solution is a gentle way to remove rosin, dirt, and fingerprints from your instrument, but it should never look like your instrument took a bath! Keep the liquids on the cloth, and only apply a small amount at a time.
Regularly visit a luthier for a true instrument check-up and deep clean.

Happy practicing!