Things You'll Need:
- Clean cotton cloth
- Non-abrasive cleaner
- Mineral oil
- Guitar wax or polish (optional)
-
Step 1
Wipe the neck of the guitar down gently with a clean cotton cloth, making sure to wipe down both the fretboard and the finished side of the neck. Wiping the strings, as well, will remove any body oil or sweat residue that may be on them. Ideally, a wipedown such as this should be done before putting the guitar into its case each time you play, so as to prevent the buildup of dirt and grime.
-
Step 2
Use a non-abrasive cleaner to clean the finished side of the neck. The cleaner can be used to wipe down the fretboard as well, but the strings should be loosened or removed beforehand as a precaution in case your cleaner reacts with the material that the strings are made of (such as brass strings.) A toothpick or toothbrush may be used to remove stubborn dirt on the fretboard, as they will allow you to direct a bit more pressure to the dirt on the frets themselves.
-
Step 3
Wipe the neck and fretboard with your clean cloth again, making sure that you remove all of the cleaner from both. If you wish to use a damp cloth, remember that even small amounts of water can damage your guitar's neck. While using a damp cloth is generally not recommended, you must be sure to wipe it dry with a second cloth so that it does not end up being stored damp.
-
Step 4
Use mineral oil to oil down your fretboard once you've cleaned it. The oil will moisturize the wood of the fretboard, and will help to keep it supple and resistant to cracking or other damage. Wipe off any excess oil with a different cloth than the one that was used to apply it.
-
Step 5
Guitar wax or polish may be applied to help protect the finish on your guitar neck (as well as the rest of the guitar.) If you choose to use it, make sure that you buff off any excess wax or polish to avoid buildups on your guitar neck or body.
