Guitar Maintenance: Keep Your Guitar Playing Its Best

A well-maintained guitar plays better, sounds better, and lasts decades. A neglected guitar fights you at every step - high action, dead strings, fret buzz, and tuning problems that have nothing to do with your playing ability.

The good news: basic guitar maintenance is simple, inexpensive, and takes minimal time. Here’s everything you need to do at each time interval.

After Every Session (30 Seconds)

Wipe Down the Strings

Run a dry cloth along each string after playing. This removes the oils, sweat, and dead skin that corrode strings and shorten their life.

A simple microfiber cloth works perfectly. No special products needed - just a quick wipe.

Wipe Down the Body

Give the guitar body a quick swipe to remove fingerprints and dust. This prevents buildup that can affect the finish over time.

Weekly (5 Minutes)

Check Tuning Stability

If your guitar goes out of tune faster than usual, investigate:

New strings? They need stretching (normal)
Temperature change? Moving from cold to warm causes drift (temporary)
Tuning pegs slipping? Tighten the screw on the tuning button or consider replacement

Inspect for Issues

Look over the guitar for:

Loose tuning machines
Cracked or lifting bridge
Fret buzz that wasn’t there before
Changes in action (string height)

Catch problems early before they become expensive repairs.

Monthly (15 Minutes)

Deep Clean the Body

Use a guitar-specific polish or a barely damp cloth to clean the body thoroughly. For glossy finishes, a guitar polish adds protection and shine. For satin/matte finishes, use only a dry or slightly damp cloth - polish will create shiny spots.

Check String Condition

Strings should be:

Bright and shiny (not darkened or corroded)
Smooth under your fingers (not rough or pitted)
Maintaining intonation (not playing sharp or flat at the 12th fret)

If any of these fail, it’s time for a string change.

Clean the Fretboard

When changing strings, take the opportunity to clean the fretboard:

Rosewood/ebony: Wipe with a dry cloth. Apply a small amount of lemon oil or fretboard conditioner 2-3 times per year. This prevents drying and cracking.
Maple (finished): Wipe with a slightly damp cloth only. Don’t use oils - maple fretboards have a sealed finish.

Quarterly to Bi-Annually

Professional Setup ($30-60)

A professional setup includes:

Truss rod adjustment - ensures the neck has the correct amount of relief
Action adjustment - sets string height for optimal playability
Intonation adjustment - ensures fretted notes play in tune across the neck
Fret leveling/crown (if needed) - fixes uneven frets that cause buzz
Nut slot adjustment (if needed) - ensures proper string spacing and height at the nut

A setup transforms a frustrating guitar into a joy to play. If your guitar feels hard to play, a setup is the first thing to try - before blaming your technique. Even new guitars from the factory benefit from a proper setup.

Humidity Control (Year-Round)

Wood absorbs and releases moisture. Too much humidity makes the wood swell; too little makes it shrink and crack.

Ideal Range

Keep your guitar in 45-55% relative humidity.

Danger Zones

Below 35%: Risk of fretboard cracking, sharp fret ends, and top cracks. Common in winter with heating systems running.
Above 65%: Risk of swelling, high action, and mold. Common in coastal or tropical climates.

Solutions

Sound hole humidifier ($10-20): A small device that sits in the sound hole and slowly releases moisture. Essential in dry climates.
Room humidifier: Controls humidity for the whole room.
Hygrometer ($10): A digital meter that displays current humidity. Place one in your guitar room or case.
Keep the guitar in its case when not playing - the case buffers against rapid humidity changes.

Electric Guitars

Electric guitars are less sensitive to humidity because they don’t have large, thin wooden tops. But extreme conditions can still cause neck warping and finish issues.

Common Mistakes

1. Never cleaning the fretboard. Years of grime buildup affects tone, feel, and even fret wear. Clean it during every string change.

2. Ignoring humidity. Acoustic guitars are extremely sensitive to humidity. A cracked top from dry air is an expensive repair that’s easily prevented.

3. Over-tightening tuning machines. If a tuning peg is loose, tighten the small screw on the button. Don’t force the peg - you can strip the gears.

4. DIY truss rod adjustment without knowledge. The truss rod controls neck curvature. Incorrect adjustment can permanently damage the neck. Unless you know what you’re doing, have a tech handle it.

5. Leaving the guitar in a car. Extreme heat (parked in the sun) can melt glue, warp the neck, and crack the finish. Extreme cold can crack the finish and wood. Never leave a guitar in a car for extended periods.

When to See a Guitar Tech

Persistent fret buzz that doesn’t respond to technique adjustment
High action that makes fretting difficult
Intonation issues (12th fret notes are noticeably sharp or flat)
Visible cracks in the top, back, or neck
Tuning pegs that slip or won’t hold
Electronics issues on electric guitars (crackling pots, dead pickups)

A good guitar tech is worth their weight in gold. Find one you trust and establish a relationship.

Try This in Guitar Wiz

After every maintenance session - especially after restringing - use the Tuner in Guitar Wiz to bring your guitar back to perfect pitch. Fresh strings after a cleanup and restring will sound dramatically better, and precise tuning ensures you hear the full benefit of your maintenance work.

Download Guitar Wiz on the App Store · Explore the Guitar Tuner →

FAQ

How often should I clean my guitar?

Wipe strings after every session. Deep clean the body and fretboard monthly or during string changes. Professional cleaning isn’t necessary if you maintain it yourself.

Does a guitar setup make a big difference?

Enormous. A proper setup can make a $200 guitar play like a $500 one. If your guitar feels uncomfortable, a setup is the most cost-effective upgrade available.

How do I store my guitar long-term?

In its case, at room temperature, with a humidity control device (sound hole humidifier or case humidifier). Loosen the strings slightly if storing for months.