How to Clean a Guitar
Updated Nov 11, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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Clean a guitar by wiping the body, neck and strings with a soft, dry cloth, then wiping the fretboard and hardware with a cloth dampened with water and mild soap where the instrument allows it. Slacken or remove the strings first so you can reach the whole fretboard, and dry each part after wiping.
Wipe the body and neck with a dry cloth
Wipe the body and the back of the neck with a soft, dry cloth, working from the headstock down to the body. A dry cloth lifts dust and the marks left by hands without adding moisture to the finish. Turn the cloth to a clean fold as you go so you are not rubbing the same dust back over the wood. Do this after you play and before you put the guitar in its case or on a stand.
Slack the strings and wipe the fretboard
Slack the strings or take them off so you can reach the whole fretboard. Wipe the fretboard with a soft, dry cloth to lift dust from between the frets, then wipe it again with a cloth dampened with water and mild soap where the instrument allows it. Dry the fretboard with a clean cloth before you put new strings on or bring the old ones back up to tension.
Wipe the strings clean
Run a soft, dry cloth along each string from the nut to the bridge, pinching the cloth around the string as you go. This lifts the residue left by hands and keeps the strings from going rough. Wipe the strings after you play, and change them when they look discolored, feel rough under your fingers, or no longer hold tune.
Clean the hardware and tuning machines
Wipe the bridge, the tuning machines and any metal parts with a soft, dry cloth to lift dust and the marks left by hands. If a part is loose or a tuning machine turns roughly, ask a repair shop instead of forcing it.
Dry the guitar and put it away
Go over the whole guitar once more with a clean, dry cloth so no dampness stays on the wood or the metal. Check that the strings sit in the nut and the bridge as they should, then put the guitar in its case or on a stand away from damp and from heat. A quick wipe after each time you play keeps grime from building up between full cleans.
What you need
Washburn Comfort G-Mini 55 Koa Travel
A travel-size acoustic with a koa top, back and sides and an ebony fretboard, plus a gig bag included for storing it after a clean.
- Solid top
- Case or gig bag included
- Body shape: Travel
- Top wood: Koa
- Lifetime warranty stated
Guild Traveler Mini Dreadnought Mahogany w/Gigbag
A mini dreadnought with a mahogany top, back and sides, a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and a deluxe gig bag included for storing it after a clean.
- Case or gig bag included
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- Top wood: Mahogany Wood
- Lifetime warranty stated
Enya NEXG 2 Deluxe Carbon Fiber Smart
A carbon fiber acoustic-electric guitar with a custom-made gig bag included for storing it after a clean.
- Built-in pickup / EQ
- Case or gig bag included
- Top wood: Carbon Fiber
- 2-year warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best Travel Acoustic Guitar, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my guitar?
Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth after you play, and give it a full clean when dust and grime start to build up on the fretboard and the strings. Change the strings when they look discolored, feel rough, or no longer hold tune.
Can I use water on my guitar?
Keep water off the soundhole and the inside of the body, and use the maker's own cleaner on the finish.
What should I use to wipe a guitar?
A soft, dry cloth is the main tool for wiping the body, neck, strings and hardware.
Ranked acoustic guitars lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.