Cleaning and Conditioning Your Fretboard

Sweat, skin oils, and dust build up on a fretboard and body over time, and while a little grime is cosmetic, letting it accumulate can eventually dull the finish or dry out the wood. Cleaning it doesn't need to be complicated, but it does need to be done carefully.

Everyday Wiping

After a session, a quick wipe with a dry, lint-free microfiber cloth over the strings, fretboard, and body removes most of the sweat and oil before it has a chance to build up. This alone, done consistently, prevents the need for more intensive cleaning later.

Cleaning the Body

For a deeper clean, apply a small amount of guitar polish to a clean microfiber cloth and work it into the finish with light-to-medium pressure in a swirling motion, then buff the surface dry with a clean section of the cloth. Avoid household cleaners or abrasive cloths — they can damage or dull a guitar's finish in ways that aren't reversible.

Finished vs. Unfinished Fretboards

Not all fretboards are the same, and treating them the same way can cause problems. A finished maple fretboard can be cleaned safely with a standard guitar cleaner made for finished wood, the same as the rest of the body. An unfinished fretboard — common on rosewood or ebony boards — is essentially raw wood, and needs an oil-based fretboard conditioner rather than a standard cleaner, since raw wood can dry out and crack without periodic conditioning.

When to Go Deeper

For a more thorough clean, loosen or remove the strings so you can access the full length of the fretboard, including the areas usually hidden under the strings where grime tends to accumulate most.