How do I clean my violin?

Question

I need to clean my violin. I know I can use rubbing alcohol on the fingerboard, but what can I use to clean the rest of it? What cleaners are gentle enough to not harm the varnish?

Answer 1

Wait: stop! Don't use rubbing alcohol on the fingerboard. I will turn it white and ruin the wood. You can use a *tiny* bit of rubbing alcohol on the strings but then, only very carefully, with a cloth between the strings and the wood. I don't recommend that, even. There is a product you can use on student violins (use good SHAR cleaner and polish on expensive ones, any instruments $1,000 and above)..it's called FiddleBrite. It's not a polish but a cleaner, and works wells on strings, wood and fingerboard, without damaging anything.

Answer 2

You can safely clean the body using mild dish soap on a soft towel (hand towel)
Dry the areas as you work and try not to let any get to the inside.
Rosin sprays all over the fingerboard and top. If the soap does not lift it Use alcohol, it should not lift the varnish if you use it as a wipe.
For a nice shine and protection use a high grade antique wax.
Fingerboards are not finished, so the alcohol is best.
Also the area under the fingerboard along the neck should not be waxed, as it will alter the way your hand slides.
Use q tips for the scroll work.

Varnish is pretty tough.

Have fun, you can't fix it if it aint broke.

Answer 3

Get a soft towel, preferably thin and make it damp. Start by rubbing under the fingerboards then head under the bridge. Don't forget all the other dusty places like the scroll. The fingerboard and the bridge are the best place to get the most dirt.

DO NOT use any soap, polish or chemical unless advised by a violinist or experienced person. You may end up damaging your violin.

Remember, damp water not wet. Use a dry towel, hold one string and slide up and down to clean the string, then do the rest.

Hope this helped.

Answer 4

with some gentle cleaner only!!!! plz! with a soft