How to Clean a Mandolin

Routinely clean the finish of the mandolin to keep it in good condition.

Properly cleaning and taking care of your mandolin protects the mandolin finish and hardware, allows the mandolin to function and play better, and prolongs the life of the mandolin strings. Cleaning a mandolin is simple and easy. It only takes a few minutes and is well worth the small amount of effort that it takes. You should wipe the mandolin down each time you finish playing. In addition, the mandolin should be thoroughly cleaned a few times a year to keep it in good condition.

Things You'll Need

• Micro-mesh polishing cloth
• Steel wool
• Lemon oil
• Micro-filament cleaning cloth.

Instructions

1. Remove the strings from the mandolin. The strings on a mandolin should be changed every four to six weeks if the mandolin is played on a regular basis. This is the time to give the mandolin a thorough cleaning.

2. Clean the frets and the fretboard with very fine steel wool or with a micro-mesh polishing cloth. Micro-mesh polishing cloths are available in various grits like sandpaper. Steel wool works well if the frets are excessively dirty. Start at the nut and first fret and works your way up to the neck until your reach the opposite end of the fretboard. Carefully polish the frets and fretboard to remove dirt, grime and debris.

3. Lubricate the fretboard with lemon oil. Apply the oil to a soft cloth and wipe the fretboard with the cloth.

4. Clean the finish of the mandolin with a micro-filament cleaning cloth that easily cleans the finish of a mandolin without risking injury to the finish. Wipe the finish with the cloth to remove fingerprints and other oils as well as dust, smoke residue and other grime.

5. Clean the tuners on the headstock of the mandolin with the micro-filament cleaning cloth. The tuners and hardware also get dirty with fingerprints, dirt and grime. Keeping the tuners clean not only enhances their appearance but it also allows them to function better as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a cleaning cloth in the mandolin case. Develop the habit of always wiping the strings and mandolin each time the mandolin is played. This prevents dirt and grime from building up on the finish. It protects the finish and prolongs the life of the strings.

References

• Jazz Mando: Tips & Tricks -
• Mandolin Mart: How To Clean Your Mandolin
• Fret Not Guitar Repair: Cleaning Guitar Finishes, Fretboards And Frets