How do you clean and care for an acoustic or classical guitar?
A minute of care after you play, a deep clean when you change strings and an eye on humidity: that's how to look after a nylon- or steel-string guitar, and how to know when it's time to see a luthier.
After playing, wipe the strings and the area where your arm rests with a dry microfiber cloth, then put the guitar in its case or on a secure stand. Whenever you change strings, clean the fretboard thoroughly. Keep an eye on humidity: it does more damage to a wooden guitar than daily playing does.
Most of this applies to both nylon-string classical guitars and steel-string acoustic guitars, but there are important differences in finish, strings, and setup that we'll point out along the way.
In short
- Dry the strings and body after each practice session: sweat corrodes metal strings and dulls the finish.
- Clean the fretboard thoroughly when changing strings; use fretboard oil only on unfinished wood, in very small amounts, and only if the wood looks dry.
- Avoid alcohol: it can dissolve the shellac used on many classical guitars and damage other finishes.
- Sharp fret ends, a sunken or bulging top, and changes in string height are signs of humidity problems.
- Leave truss rod adjustments on steel-string guitars, nut and bridge work, and crack repairs to a luthier.
A one-minute routine after playing
- Pinch each string with a microfiber cloth, with part of the cloth above it and part below, and wipe from the sound hole to the headstock.
- Wipe the edge where your forearm rests and the back of the neck.
- Take a quick look at the bridge and top: nothing should be coming loose or lifting.
- Put it in its case or gig bag, or on a sturdy stand out of the way.
Washing your hands before playing does more for your strings than any cleaner. If your hands sweat a lot, you'll see metal strings darken within a few weeks; this routine helps them last much longer.
Classical or acoustic guitar: how the care differs
| Aspect | Classical (nylon strings) | Acoustic (steel strings) |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Many have shellac or delicate finishes: no alcohol or abrasive products | Usually a tougher finish, gloss or satin |
| Strings | Low tension; the wound bass strings lose their brightness before the treble strings | High tension; sweat and humidity cause corrosion |
| Truss rod (a rod inside the neck) | Most don't have an adjustable truss rod | Almost all have an adjustable truss rod to correct neck curvature |
| Typical risk | A lifting bridge; a thin top that cracks when dry | A top that bulges behind the bridge under tension; a neck that bows |
A common mistake is putting steel strings on a classical guitar “to make it louder.” Its neck and bridge aren't built for that tension, and the bridge can pull off or the neck can bend. If you want that sound, you need a different guitar; we compare the two in how to choose your first acoustic guitar.
How to clean the body and fretboard
The body
Remove dust with a dry microfiber cloth. For fingerprints and grease, barely dampen one corner of the cloth, wipe, and dry immediately. If you use a guitar cleaner, apply it to the cloth, never directly to the wood, and only use it on gloss finishes: rubbing a product into matte or satin finishes leaves shiny patches that won't come off.
The fretboard
Grime builds up right beside each fret. The best time to clean it is when the guitar has no strings:
- Wipe the entire fretboard with a barely damp cloth, then dry it.
- For grime stuck beside the frets, use the edge of a plastic card or a wooden toothpick without scratching the surface.
- If the fretboard is rosewood, ebony, or another unfinished wood (with a matte, open-grain appearance), apply a few drops of fretboard oil with a cloth, wait a couple of minutes, and wipe off all the excess.
- If the fretboard is light-colored and shiny (finished maple, uncommon on acoustic guitars), don't oil it: just use a damp cloth followed by a dry one.
Don't use cooking oil or petroleum jelly: they can turn rancid or stay sticky. Be careful with steel wool too: it scratches finishes and sheds particles. If the frets are grooved or very dull, have a luthier polish or level them.
Humidity, cases, and where to keep your guitar
Guitar wood moves with humidity, especially if the top is solid wood rather than laminated. These signs warn you before a crack appears:
| Sign | What it indicates | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fret ends feel sharp at the edges of the fretboard | Dry conditions: the fretboard has shrunk | Increase humidity in the case; if that doesn't fix it, see a luthier |
| Strings suddenly sit lower and buzz; the top is sunken in front of the bridge | Dry conditions | A case humidifier or humidity-control packet |
| Strings sit higher and are hard to play; the top bulges behind the bridge | Humid conditions or excessive tension | Dehumidify the space; if it persists, have a luthier check it |
| Strings rust within days; a musty smell or spots appear in the case | High humidity and poor ventilation | Air out the case, use moisture-absorbing packets, and don't put the guitar away damp |
In Bogotá, the risk comes during dry seasons and in rooms with heaters. In hot regions and on the coast, it's the opposite: high humidity all year and salty air that corrodes strings and tuning machines. There are humidity-control packets that work both ways; we go into more detail in how to store instruments for Colombia's climate.
Case, gig bag, or stand
- A hard case offers better protection against knocks and climate changes; a padded gig bag is enough for everyday use if you handle it carefully.
- If you prefer keeping the guitar in sight to encourage more practice, use a sturdy floor stand or a hanger on an interior wall.
- Never leave it leaning against a wall, chair, or bed: one bump can make it fall backward and break the headstock, one of the most common repairs.
- Never leave it in the trunk of a car in the sun: heat softens the glue and can make the bridge come loose.
- Some stands with cheap rubber stain certain finishes; if yours is delicate, cover the contact points with cotton cloth.
When to take it to a luthier
You can clean, tune, and change strings yourself. For the following, don't improvise:
- The bridge is coming loose: if you see a gap between the bridge and the top, loosen the strings immediately and take it in. This is urgent.
- A crack in the top, sides, or back, however small.
- Strings so high that playing hurts, or constant fret buzz that new strings don't fix.
- The guitar is out of tune at the 12th fret even though the open strings are in tune.
- Tuning machines that are stiff, loose, or have play in them.
- A broken nut (the white piece between the headstock and fretboard), or strings that slip out of its slots.
A yearly checkup, or one when you move to a different climate, keeps the guitar comfortable to play. Often, what feels like “weak fingers” is really a guitar with strings that are too high.
Common mistakes that damage a guitar
- Cleaning it with alcohol, glass cleaner, or kitchen cleaners.
- Leaving old, rusty strings on because “they still make a sound.”
- Putting it away with a damp cloth inside the case.
- Putting stickers or tape on the body: removing them can pull off the finish.
- Tightening the tuning machine screws all the way down.
- Leaving it beside a window or heater.
If you're learning, your acoustic guitar teacher can show you how to check your instrument during a lesson. When it's time for new strings, here's our guide to changing guitar strings.
Frequently asked questions
What should I use to clean a wooden guitar?
Use a dry microfiber cloth for dust and a barely damp one for grease, drying immediately. If you want a product, choose a guitar-specific cleaner and apply it to the cloth. Avoid alcohol, glass cleaner, silicone waxes, and kitchen products.
How often should I oil the fretboard?
Infrequently: a string change is usually a good time to apply it, and only if the wood looks dry, always on unfinished fretboards. Excess oil does not add more moisture and leaves the fretboard sticky.
Is it bad to leave a guitar out of its case?
No, if it's on a sturdy stand or mounted on an interior wall, away from sunlight, windows, and heaters, and your home's humidity is stable. Keeping it in sight helps you practice more. With young children, pets, or extreme weather, a case is better.
Should I loosen the strings when I'm not using the guitar?
For normal use, no: the guitar is built to stay tuned. If you won't play it for months, or you're shipping it or taking it on a plane, it's a good idea to reduce the tension slightly without leaving the strings completely loose.
Sources
We checked the facts in this article against these sources on October 22, 2026.
- Taylor Guitars: how to use a guitar humidifier (humidity range and signs of dryness)
- D'Addario: how humidity and temperature affect your guitar
- Taylor Guitars: how to clean your guitar properly (gloss and satin finishes and unfinished wood)
- D'Addario: how to clean and condition your guitar's fretboard
- D'Addario: daily guitar and string cleaning with a microfiber cloth