As many above, I rarely perform a "cleaning" to my mandolin. After years of playing 3-4 nights a week in smoke-filled bars, in all different temperatures and humidities, I developed the habit of "wiping it down" after each set. Wiping the strings, to remove finger dirt; wiping the face (particularly the upper bout where my arm rests); and any other area where moisture may have accumulated. I guess preventing any build-up of dirt has helped. Although my mandolin is excessively distressed, from it's 80 years of life (47 in my care), I still use a clean, soft cloth to wipe it down after I play. Seems clean, although, like me, distressed by years!
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