How to Clean an Electric Guitar Body
Updated Nov 13, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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Clean an electric guitar body with the strings on and the guitar unplugged, using a soft dry cloth over the body, neck and headstock. Wipe grime with a cloth only slightly damp with water and a little mild soap, then dry it with a soft dry cloth. Let the body dry before the guitar goes back in its case.
Unplug the guitar and lay it down
Unplug the cable from the guitar and set the guitar on its back on a soft towel or its case so the body faces up. Keep the guitar steady while you clean so it cannot slide off the table. Work on the body only, and leave any work inside the guitar to a repair shop.
Dust the body with a dry cloth
Run a soft dry cloth over the body, the neck and the headstock, using light strokes that lift the dust away. Pay attention to the edges where the body meets the neck and around the bridge, where dust gathers. A soft brush reaches the seams and the edges of the pickups where a cloth cannot reach.
Wipe grime off with a damp cloth
Dampen a soft cloth with water and a little mild soap, then wring it out until it is only slightly damp. Wipe the body in small circles, working from the center toward the edges, and wipe the neck the same way. Follow with a dry cloth so no moisture stays on the body.
Clean around the knobs and switch
Wipe around each knob and the pickup switch with a dry cloth, turning each knob as you wipe around it. Clear dust from the jack opening with a soft brush, and wipe the jack plate dry. If a knob crackles or the switch cuts out, ask a repair shop to look at it.
Dry it and check the finish
Leave the guitar out until every surface you wiped feels dry to the touch. Look over the body in the light for streaks or spots you missed, and wipe them with a dry cloth. If the finish is chipped or cracked, ask a repair shop before you clean that spot again.
What you need
Donner DST-152R Electric Guitar Kit for Adults
A full-size solid-body electric guitar with HSS pickups, a coil split, 22 frets, an amp and a tuner, with a 365-day warranty.
- Amp included
- Frets: 22
- Tuner included
- Pickup layout: HSS
- 365-day warranty stated
Pyle Heavy Metal EG Fire Electric Guitar
An electric guitar with dual humbuckers, a 21-fret neck, a white glossy finish and a gig bag, with a 10W amp included.
- Amp included
- Frets: 21
- Case or gig bag included
- Pickup layout: Humbuckers
- 1 year warranty stated
CAHAYA Electric Guitar Set Beginner
A 39 in electric guitar with HSS pickups and a solid okoume body, supplied with a 5W amp, a gig bag, a strap and picks, with a 2-year warranty.
- Amp included
- Case or gig bag included
- Pickup layout: HSS
- 2-year warranty stated
Donner DSC-128 Electric Guitar Beginner Kit 39"
A 39 in solid-body electric guitar with dual humbuckers and a C-shape neck, supplied with a gig bag.
- Case or gig bag included
- Pickup layout: Humbuckers
These come from our ranked list Best Student Electric Guitar, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use water to clean my electric guitar?
Use only a cloth that is slightly damp with water and a little mild soap on the outside of the body, and follow with a dry cloth. Never pour water on the guitar, and keep water away from the jack, the pickups and the neck joint.
How do I clean the neck of an electric guitar?
Wipe the back of the neck with a soft dry cloth, and use a cloth slightly damp with water and mild soap for grime. Dry the neck right away, and keep moisture away from the fretboard edges and the headstock.
What should I do if I miss a spot while cleaning?
Look over the body in the light and wipe any spot you missed with a dry cloth. If grime stays after a damp wipe, ask a repair shop, and do not use polish or solvents on the finish.
Ranked electric guitars lists
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