how do you clean your instrument?

[fern.m]

Never really given much thought to intensive cleaning until I was in the sunlight and saw how dirty the body was. I'm sure there's some sort of miracle product out there I ought to find. Any suggestions on keeping my mandolin shiny and new looking??

[Bertram Henze]

Wiping down with a dry cloth every day after playing ist a good start and indeed completely sufficient.

To bring a grimey instrument back to clean via the fast lane, I recommend Dr Duck's AxWax.

[bbcee]

I used to use Fast Fret on my guitar strings, but haven't found it necessary with mandolin strings. It's a mineral oil-based product, silicone-free, so safe to use. Like Bertram, I wipe my instruments with a dry cloth (old t-shirts are great) after playing.

[yankees1]

For polishing after cleaning, I use David Harvey's polish !

[Denny Gies]

I've had good luck using Martin guitar polish on my mandolins and guitar. Never heard of Dr. Duck's AxWax; will check it out.

[Bertram Henze]

Never heard of Dr. Duck's AxWax; will check it out.

Make sure you apply only small quantities and rub it out well with a dry cloth afterwards. Once the instrument is clean, the dry cloth alone will suffice. Then the remaining 99% of the stuff double as a string cleaner (that's what I use it for in most cases).

Needless to say I would not use it on matte finishes...

[UsuallyPickin]

Keep it simple. Use a damp cloth to clean all the "varnished" surfaces then buff with a dry cloth. Once or twice a year clean the fingerboard with https://www.musiciansfriend.com/acce...SABEgK8pvD_BwE
Then oil, using very little oil then wipe off any excess with a dry rag … https://www.amazon.com/Jim-Dunlop-65...ingerboard+oil R/

[Paul Busman]

There was a guitar shop just down the block from my office which carried guitars ranging from inexpensive Asian imports to $10,000+custom made instruments. They had some mandolins too, ranging from imports to better ones in the original Breedlove category.I once asked the owner what he cleaned the instruments with and he told me he used a clean cloth with a little bit of Windex. I've used that ever since (although I rarely clean my instruments) with great results, no problems.

[mandroid]

I don't find I get them that dirty (don't get many gigs)

[Dave Greenspoon]

After playing:
1. Lambs wool over the strings and fretboard
2. Lint free dry cloth over the body

I have heard at least one well-know builder say "In the shop we use a smidge of general "fine wood cleaner" (commercial product name here) spray on a clean cloth.

[JeffD]

A thoughtful friend found gifted me this, after looking at a website about 10 gifts for guitar players under 10 dollars. Clever, but obvious, the thing really works.

Watch the video.

[seankeegan]

Ali Stephens taught me a great trick. Cut a thin strip of chamois cloth and run it under the strings; the pairs and also all 8. Removes loads of dirt and grim. When it gets v dirty, just cut another strip. A typical piece of chamois you'd find at a car store would last you decades.

For wiping down the instrument I use one of those microfiber clothes you can get at any home store for about €1.

[Phil Vinyard]

I also really like David Harvey's Jubilee Polish. Use it on all my mandolins. Works well, and I figure Dave knows what he's doing.

[Gary Leonard]

My mandolins get cleaned every 6 to 9 months or so, whether they need it or not! Generally when I change the strings (Thomastiks, so not often) or when I take them in for a setup or some work.