What is a good substitute for guitar cleaner?

Author: Prof. Jesus Greenfelder  |  Last update: Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Dab vinegar onto a cotton ball. I use rice vinegar, but any neutral vinegar will do (don't use balsamic) because it is a wonderful cleaning agent. Rub the vinegar over the fret board carefully as you replace each string.

What to use instead of guitar cleaner?

Mix equal parts vinegar and oil, apply with a cloth, then wipe it off. This mixture will help remove dirt and grime and restore your guitar's natural shine.

What household product can you use to clean guitar strings?

A dab of rubbing alcohol on a clean rag (99% always) will get the oil off the strings no problem.

Can I use Windex to clean my guitar?

Windex is fine -- I would spray a dampened soft rag to clean with, and not directly onto the body of the guitar -- just to avoid it getting down inside the body, messing up your label, spotting the ebony bridge, etc.

What is safe to clean a guitar?

To properly sanitize, you can use 70% isopropyl alcohol/rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, or disinfecting wipes to wipe down the guitar. Apply the solution to a rag and wipe down the guitar. Then immediately wipe dry with another cloth. Don't saturate or scrub an area or you will damage the finish. If wiping down the fr.

Guitar Cleaning Myths

What household items can I use to clean my guitar?

Dab vinegar onto a cotton ball.

I use rice vinegar, but any neutral vinegar will do (don't use balsamic) because it is a wonderful cleaning agent. Rub the vinegar over the fret board carefully as you replace each string.

Can I use rubbing alcohol to clean my guitar?

You can but you might mess up the finish. Rubbing alcohol is supposed to be OK to use on lacquer and polyurethane finishes, but there plenty of reports online of people damaging these finishes with alcohol. So you shouldn't do it, especially since there's no need to.

Can I use vinegar to clean my guitar?

This and many other guitar-cleaning and polishing products will be available at your local music store and online. Avoid waxes with petroleum-based chemicals and other harsh materials. If there are some heavily soiled spots on your guitar, keep a little white distilled vinegar close at hand too.

Is it OK to clean guitar with wet wipes?

Is it OK to clean a guitar with wet wipes? It is not safe to use wet wipes to clean your guitar. Depending on the type of wet wipe, it might have harsh chemicals that can cause damage to the guitar.

Is oil good for cleaning guitar?

No, mustard oil - and vegetable oils, in general - are not recommended for use on a guitar. Lemon oil (not lemon juice) is good for fretboards, such as this one specially made for guitars.

What is the best guitar cleaner?

Dunlop 6500 Cleaning System

This is a full and comprehensive collection of polishes and solutions to help keep your guitar looking and feeling fresh. From the body to the fingerboard, to the strings, the Dunlop 6500 System really is one of the best guitar cleaning products out there.

Can I use olive oil to clean my guitar?

I don't think I'd use olive oil, linseed oil, waxy furniture polish, and WD-40 contains some solvents that could interact with some glues and finishes. Before going any further, why put anything on a fretboard? Several reasons; bring out the beauty of the wood, darken the wood, and to preserve the wood.

What is the best cleaner for guitar strings?

Use name brand guitar string cleaner and microfiber towels to get the most reliable results. Yes, it's true: you can clean bass guitar strings by boiling them. However, they'll usually sound just shy of new. and this can only be done so many times per set.

What is a substitute for Naptha?

Turpentine is a slower drying solvent, usually distilled from wood. It is very different chemically than naphtha, paint thinner or mineral spirits, but it performs similar jobs, so many folks put it in the same category of solvents.

What product to clean guitar fretboard?

  • Dunlop Ultimate Lemon Oil. $14.95. ...
  • Music Nomad Frine Fret Polishing Kit. $34.95. ...
  • Gibson Polish & Cloth. $17.99. ...
  • Music Nomad String Fuel - String Cleaner & Lubricant. $19.50. ...
  • D'Addario XLR8 String Cleaner & Lubricant. $14.99. ...
  • Music Nomad Unfinished Fretboard Care Kit. $36.95. ...
  • Music Nomad Frine Fret Polish. ...
  • Gibson Polishing Cloth.

What do I clean my guitar with?

Cleaning Your Guitar's Body

A clean, lightly damp microfiber cloth used in a light swirling motion is usually enough if you're just dealing with fingerprints and maybe a little forearm sweat. This is generally all you should ever use if your guitar sports a satin finish.

Is Windex safe for guitar?

In general, you want to stay away from household cleaners, things like PineSol or Windex or furniture polish, these things generally don't do well on a guitar finish.

Is it OK to clean guitar with water?

Yes , you can use water to clean your fretboard. I use a DAMP cloth , dampened with warm water. Don't wet the fretboard , and dry thoroughly with a dry soft cloth. I have been doing it for years to get rid of the dead skin that gets into where the fret meets the fretboard.

What household cleaners are safe to use on guitars?

Household furniture polish and all-purpose cleaners—such as Pine Sol, Windex, and 409—will also damage your finish. The only household product that's safe to use to clean your guitar is white distilled vinegar.

Is rubbing alcohol good for cleaning a guitar?

Not just no, but hell no. Isopropyl alcohol is a solvent. You will lose the strength of the strings.

Can I clean my guitar with wet wipes?

No, wet wipes can leave residue and a fragrance on your instrument. Some wet wipes contain strong chemicals that can leave marks or discoloration. Using a damp, clean cloth to wipe down your guitar is best. For difficult smudges, you can use a gentle guitar cleaning agent.

How do you make homemade guitar string cleaner?

Apply cleaning solution: There are many commercial cleaning solutions available for guitar strings, or you can make your own using a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol. Apply the solution to a clean cloth, and then rub it onto the strings. Be sure to get every part of each string.

How to clean a guitar fretboard with household items?

Use a soft cloth dampened - not wet, just damp - with water and rub the fretboard. A little elbow grease is all that's needed. After you've cleaned it, apply a little bit of mineral oil (available at any drug store) to another cloth and rub it all over the fingerboard.

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