If you’re a guitar player, you know that taking care of your instrument is essential to maintain its playability and sound quality. One crucial part of guitar maintenance is cleaning the fretboard. Learning how to clean a fretboard is essential for optimal playability and longevity.
The fretboard is where you press down on the strings to produce different notes; over time, it can accumulate dirt, sweat, and grime. Cleaning your fretboard not only improves its appearance but also ensures smooth playing and prolongs the life of your guitar.
In this article, we’ll guide you through cleaning your fretboard, including the necessary tools and materials. We’ll also provide tips on choosing the right cleaner for your particular type of wood. So grab your guitar, and let’s start keeping your fretboard in tip-top shape!
Why Is It Important to Clean the Guitar Fretboard?
Cleaning the guitar fretboard regularly is essential to maintain the instrument’s playability and longevity. It can –
1. Optimized Performance
A clean fretboard ensures optimal performance, even if dirt on the fretboard is not noticeable. When dirt, grime, and oils build up on the fretboard, the strings’ vibration is dampened, resulting in muffled or dull tones. Fretboard cleaning maintains the full responsiveness and clarity of each note on your guitar, allowing it to sound its best.
2. Improved Playability
Clean fretboards improve playability by allowing your fingers to glide smoothly across them. Dirt and residue can cause a sticky or rough texture, making it difficult to move between frets and execute techniques accurately. Regularly cleaning can eliminate these obstacles, ensuring a comfortable and effortless playing experience.
3. Protection and longevity
Regular fretboard cleaning helps prevent damage to the wood. Eventually, dirt and grime can seep into the wood grain, causing discoloration, warping, and even cracks. The removal of these contaminants extends your guitar’s lifespan, and it also preserves the fretboard’s structural integrity.
4. Maintenance and Life Expectancy of Strings
Your guitar strings will last longer if your fretboard is clean. String wear and breakage can be caused by dirt and debris moving up from the fretboard and frets to the strings. Cleaning the fretboard reduces strain on the strings, ensuring they last longer and perform better.
5. Aesthetic Appeal
Fretboard cleaning is essential to maintaining your guitar’s visual appeal. When your fretboard is clean, you can see the natural beauty of the wood, which makes your instrument more visually appealing. As a result, your playing experience is enhanced because of your pride in ownership and attention to detail.
Does The Type of Wood Matter?
There are different types of fretboards. There are three main types of wood on fretboards, and the kind of wood can affect how the fretboard is cleaned.
Rosewood
Most fingerboards are made from Rosewood. Usually, Indian Rosewood is used, which has a rich, dark brown colour. Guitars sound warmer with it.
Typically, Rosewood is left unfinished, which means it doesn’t have a layer of lacquer on top of it. Rosewood has natural oils, so it doesn’t need to be finished.
Ebony
Ebony is also a popular choice; like Rosewood, it can be left unfinished. The sound is clean, smooth, balanced, and darker than Rosewood.
Maple
Maple is a viral material among manufacturers these days. Besides being a sustainable choice, it is widely available and resilient. It’s lighter in colour than the other two and can almost be yellow.
Maple doesn’t have as much natural oil as Rosewood or Ebony, so it must be lacquered to prevent warping or damage. Maple fretboards produce a bright sound.
Do Different Fretboard Materials Require Different Cleaning Procedures?
Yes, it depends on the wood your fretboard is made of; you’ll have to clean and prepare it differently. Unfinished woods like laurel, Rosewood, or ebony require very different treatment than glossy maple.
Materials Needed for Cleaning The Fretboard
Cloth or Paper Towel:
Use a soft, lint-free cloth or paper towel to clean the fretboard.
Fretboard Conditioner or Oil:
To moisturize and protect the wood, choose a fretboard conditioner or oil. You can use lemon oil for this purpose (but not for maple fretboards).
Solvent(optional):
You can clean the fretboard by using a solvent, such as naphtha. When using solvents, ensure proper ventilation and exercise caution.
Fine Steel Wool or Old Toothbrush (depends on the wood and finish & optional):
Scrub the fretboard gently with fine-grade steel wool or a toothbrush to remove tough buildup. Don’t scratch the wood.
Fretboard Guard or Masking Tape (optional):
During cleaning, you can use fretboard guards or masking tape around the fretboard edges to protect the guitar body, neck, and frets.
Guitar Polish (optional):
Use a guitar polish specifically formulated on guitar surfaces to give your guitar an extra shine. Polish your guitar’s finish and food with a safe polish.
Microfiber Cloth (optional):
For gentle cleaning and polishing of the fretboard, use a microfiber cloth. No lint is left behind after it removes fingerprints and smudges.
Soft Bristle Brush (optional):
The fretboard and hard-to-reach areas around the frets can be cleaned with a soft bristle brush, such as a small paintbrush or a guitar cleaning brush.
Toothpicks or Dental Floss Picks (optional):
You can use these to clean fret slots or other small crevices clogged with dirt or grime. To avoid damaging the wood, use them gently.
Cotton Swabs (optional):
To apply oil or conditioner to the fretboard, cotton swabs are useful. Their precision and ability to reach narrow areas make them ideal for precise application.
Guitar String Winder (optional):
A string winder can be helpful if you plan to remove the strings for a more thorough cleaning. This simplifies the process of removing and reinstalling strings.
How to Clean a Maple Fretboard?
Cleaning a maple fretboard depends on whether it has been finished or unfinished. Finished glossy maple boards are the easiest to maintain, while unfinished boards require more attention.
Finished Maple Fretboards
Step 1 – Remove the Strings
Deep cleaning a fretboard with strings still in place is impossible. Replacing your strings is always a two-for-one deal. A neckrest or a pillow should support the neck of your guitar if you don’t have one.
Step 2 – Take off Large Dirt and Debris
Remove any large pieces of dirt or debris from the fretboard using your soft bristle brush. Remember to pay attention to the corners of the nut and where the frets meet the fretboard. Use a cotton swab to reach tighter areas the brush cannot reach.
Step 3 – Polish the Frets
You can polish your frets at this time if you’re planning to do so. Place your fretboard guards over the fretboard. Next, polish the fret surface gently with wire wool.
Step 4 – Wipe Off with Your Dirty Cloth
Wipe down the entire fretboard with your designated dirty cloth, removing any dirt you loosened with the brush, wire wool, and cotton swabs. Use a clean section of the fabric for each pass to avoid spreading dirt.
Step 5 – Deep Cleaning
Use a clean, dry cloth to rub a small amount of guitar polish over the entire fretboard. With a clean cloth, dry the whole surface if any excess is left on the fretboard.
Step 6 – Restring
You can rest the guitar once you’re done cleaning it.
Unfinished Maple Fretboards
There is one key difference between cleaning an unfinished maple fretboard and one for a finished board. Using lemon oil or any other oil or conditioner with citrus or acidic properties is not recommended. It can seriously damage the wood.
Use a maple fretboard oil or conditioner instead. Most are made from seed oils designed to mimic the natural oils found in maple wood. Stick to a dry clean if you don’t have this oil on hand, and only condition the board once you have it.
How to Clean a Rosewood Fretboard?
Rosewood, ebony, laurel, purpleheart, jatoba, and any other porous dark hardwood used for fretboards are covered in this section. The procedure, tools, and supplies for completing the job are identical.
It is essential to lay out your guitar on a safe and sturdy workbench, preferably with a neck support or an old pillow you are OK with getting dirty.
Step 1 – Take off your Strings
By removing the strings from your guitar, you can effectively clean the entire fretboard – a must if you want a deep clean.
Step 2 – Brush Away Larger Dirt
Gently brush the fretboard from top to bottom using up and down strokes with the grain of the wood.
Step 3 – Tackle the Smaller Dirt
Scrub each fret’s corner and nut’s corner using a Q tip or cotton swab.
Step 4 – Shine the Frets
The frets should only sometimes be polished, but if you’re going to do a thorough cleaning, it’s a good idea to do so. Use your fine wire wool to polish each fret surface gently, protecting the wood with a fretboard guard.
Avoid creating flat spots or height differences between frets by not applying much pressure.
Step 5 – Wipe Away Any Debris
When you loosen the dirt earlier on, some errant particles will likely be left over on the fretboard, even if you still need to polish the frets. Dust off the entire fretboard using a dirty cloth. You can use compressed air to remove loose dirt if you have it on hand, whether from a can or a compressor.
Step 6 – Condition the Wood
Clean a microfiber cloth and apply a dab of fretboard conditioner. You can use lemon or other citrus oils here, as they won’t damage the wood and smell great. It’s OK to use any other type of fretboard conditioner.
Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe up the oil after it has been rubbed into the fretboard. If there is any moisture left on the surface, it should not be visible. To ensure that the oils are completely absorbed, rub in any direction.
Step 7 – Time for Fresh Strings
Restring your guitar with some of your favourite strings once the fretboard has been cleaned.
What Household Items Can I Use to Clean My Guitar?
Cleaning your guitar is essential to maintaining its appearance and prolonging its lifespan. Several everyday household items can be used to clean your guitar effectively.
Water
You can get it free; it contains no chemicals that could damage your guitar. Make sure you don’t soak your guitar. Don’t put water directly on your fretboard, and use it sparingly.
You can clean your fingerboard fret by fret by dampening a microfiber cloth. After that, dry the neck entirely so no moisture is left behind. If your guitar is dirty, more than water may be needed to clean it.
Distilled Vinegar
Vinegar can be used to clean guitar fretboards, depending on the type.
In small amounts and with care, distilled vinegar is acceptable. It’s not a good idea to use full-strength vinegar.
You can use it like water by dabbing a bit onto a cloth or dipping a Q-tip into it and wiping the frets. You should never directly pour it on the frets, regardless of whether it is distilled.
Lemon Oil
Using lemon oil on unfinished fretboards is perfectly safe as it restores their natural oils while cleaning them. It is only necessary to oil your fretboard twice a year or so.
Although lemon oil can clean well, you shouldn’t over-oil your fingerboard. Rosewood or ebony fretboards should be oiled and cleaned every few months since they are often unfinished.
Lighter Fluid
For cleaning fretboards, guitarists and luthiers often use lighter fluid. Keep it away from your frets, just like other household items. Rub your frets down with a damp microfiber cloth or cotton ball instead.
Vegetable Oil Soap
This is not the same as vegetable oil! It’s a soap made with water, pure vegetable oil, and coconut oil. Using it on wood is relatively safe because it is entirely natural. Additionally, it gives the fretboard a nice shine!
How Often Should I Clean My Guitar Fretboard?
It depends on you as a player. If a guitarist practices in the morning, teaches in the afternoon, and gigs at night, they will naturally have less to deal with.
Additionally, if the player regularly wipes down the instrument after gigs or practice sessions, many reasons a guitar would require a deep clean can be avoided. Before storing your case or gig bag, you can wipe the strings down with a microfiber rag.
It is best to wash your hands before playing to keep your fretboard clean, preserve the life of your strings, and avoid having to scrub your fretboard every month.
A great way to avoid getting the guitar dirty is to keep the strap and guitar in separate compartments. If you leave that moist cowhide strip with an unfinished rosewood fretboard in your guitar case, you’re setting yourself up for a gross mess.
The best way to keep your fretboard clean, preserve the life of your strings, and avoid scrubbing it every month is to wash your hands before playing. The difference in fretboard cleanliness is astronomical with this simple trick.
If you clean your fretboard every third or fourth time you rest your guitar between gigs and practices. Then you should do this to maintain a clean guitar between gigs and rehearsals. Taking your time, using suitable materials, and learning as much as possible are essential to remember.
How To Prevent Your Fretboard from Becoming Dirty?
Fretboards that are dirty wear out much faster than clean strings. However, they can still ruin your guitar’s tone and transfer dirt into your fretboard during that shortened lifespan.
Play with Clean Hands
By doing this, you can prevent dirt and grime from building up on your fretboard. Dirt, oil, grease, and other contaminants naturally accumulate on your hands due to what you do with them. Strings are adversely affected by all of these substances.
You also produce oil on your skin, which is excellent for keeping your skin hydrated and healthy but could be better for your strings and fretboard. Before picking up your guitar, Wash your hands.
Doing this will prevent harmful contaminants from building up on your strings and causing them to degrade. It will also keep your guitar’s finish glossy and prevent oily fingerprints!
After playing, you should wipe down the strings and body of your guitar with a soft microfiber cloth to remove oils before they set in and start causing problems.
Store Your Guitar in a Case
Even if you haven’t played your guitar for a while, dirt can still accumulate on it. Dust and other contaminants can settle on your guitar as you move through your home. If you have a pet, you know how pet hair makes it into every corner of your home.
Especially if your hands are already oily, dust will coat your strings as it settles. You can prevent this by storing your guitar in a case, especially if you don’t plan to play for a while.
A guitar case prevents dirt and debris from contaminating and degrading your strings. A guitar case also protects your guitar from sunlight and humidity, which can damage strings, wear away finishes, or corrode metal parts.
Don't hang your guitar on a wall
Over time, a lot of dust will accumulate on your instrument, which, combined with your sweat, results in a dirty instrument.
Keep your guitar clean
After playing your guitar, clean it up. You can use a microfiber cloth or something similar to clean the places you normally touch. Keep your instrument in good shape by doing these things.
Final Words On How To Clean A Fretboard
A clean fretboard is essential to maintaining your guitar’s playability and sound quality. Follow the steps in this article to effectively clean your fretboard of dirt, sweat, and grime, ensuring a smooth playing experience and improved appearance.
You can extend the lifespan of your guitar by regularly cleaning its fretboard, which contributes to the overall longevity of the instrument. This is an important task, so don’t ignore it! You can enjoy a well-maintained guitar that sounds and feels great by cleaning your fretboard.
FAQs
Is A Dirty Fretboard Bad?
Over time, a dirty fretboard can damage the wood and affect the performance. It can range from sweat, dirt, and grime building up on the frets and corroding them to cracked wood and falling frets due to drying.
Which oil is best for the fretboard?
The best choice would be a “drying oil” such as linseed, walnut, or mineral oil that is not organic. People have had good results using citrus oils (orange, lemon) to clean and then applying mineral oil to condition. A damp cotton cloth is the best way to clean your fretboard.
What kind of soap do you use to clean a fretboard?
Murphy’s Oil Soap will not only clean your fretboard. Still, it will also moisturize it, preventing it from going dry and eventually cracking. Murphy’s Oil Soap will also give your fretboard a fresh, clean shine.