A guitar is a useful and versatile instrument. You can play it in the comfort of your own home, or you can take it to the local music shop for a jam session. However, if you live in an area with dry climate, like parts of Utah and Arizona, your guitar may be at risk for dust buildup. This accumulation may lead to malfunctions and damages that are not easily fixed. Luckily there are some simple solutions that explains how to protect guitar from dust.
You may also look at our expert article on How to Clean Guitar Binding
The Problem with Dusty Guitars
Even though guitars have a reputation for being tough, dust can cause some major malfunctions. Dust is a common culprit of problems like sticky buttons, not to mention that it is also an eyesore and leaves your fingers black.
If you live in an area with dry climate, like parts of Utah and Arizona, your guitar may be susceptible to this accumulation. This can lead to malfunctions and damages that are not easily fixed. Luckily there are some simple solutions that you can use to protect your guitar from dust and keep it in good working order.
The problem arises when the air outside is dry, like in parts of Utah and Arizona. You might have noticed your guitar becoming increasingly difficult to play as it accumulates a layer of dust on its strings, fretboard, and bridge. With every strum of a string, the dust particles rub off onto the surrounding area of the guitar.
The effects of this buildup range from minor (e.g., sticky sound) to major (e.g., buzzing sound). In some cases, the accumulation may cause the strings to snap due to too much tension when you strum them or bend them over the frets on your guitar’s neck.
The only solution for this problem is prevention! Luckily there are some simple solutions that you can use to protect your guitar from accumulating dust.
Why is Dusting Bad for Your Guitar?
Guitars can be very sensitive to dust. This is because the dry climate in some parts of the country, like Arizona and Utah, increases the risk of guitar damage due to dust. Dust may accumulate on all parts of your guitar, but it is most commonly found on the strings. Over time, this buildup may lead to malfunctions and damages that are not easily fixed. The accumulation of dust will also cause your strings to sound dull and thin.
Dusting your guitar will remove any dust accumulation that has built up. However, there is an easy to fix problem with this solution. Whenever you spend time playing your instrument, the dust will come back and accumulate again. So what’s the point in spending time and money on a solution that does nothing but temporarily?
The accumulation of dust can lead to malfunctions and damage that are not easily fixed. The dust can settle into the fragile parts of your guitar such as the strings, fretboard, and pickups. This accumulation can cause problems such as buzzing when you play or interference with your sound. It can also create a barrier between the strings and fretboard which will make it more difficult to play and increase string breakage. These are just some of the problems that may arise from dust building up on your guitar.
Dust is not a good thing to have on your instrument because it may interfere with its function. If you want to keep your guitar in perfect working order, invest in a dust cloth or a case for storage when you are not playing it.
How to Prevent Dust from Settling on Your Guitar
The best way to prevent dust from settling on your guitar is to maintain a clean environment. This includes keeping the instrument in a well-ventilated area and wiping it down with a damp cloth after each use. You also want to wipe down the strings, bridge, and face of the guitar after playing.
Do you have any other tips for keeping your guitar from getting dusty?
Yes! If you live in an area that has dry climate, like parts of Arizona and Utah, you may need to do some extra work. A humidifier for your guitar can be helpful as it provides moisture to keep the guitar from becoming brittle or warped. You can also try using a humidifier for your home if you are having trouble maintaining humidity levels.
You should also consider placing your instrument in a hard case or bag when not in use. This will help protect it from dust build up on the inside of the neck and strings where it is harder to reach with a damp cloth.
One of the easiest ways to prevent dust from settling on your guitar is by keeping it in its case when not in use. This will keep any accumulated dust away from your guitar’s delicate strings, fret board and sound box. You may also want to consider changing the air filters in your home or office more often if you live in an area that tends to have dry air. This will help remove the particles that can settle on your instrument over time.
The most important way to prevent dust from accumulating on your guitar is to wipe it down with a clean, well-dampened cloth after each use and before storing it back into its case or hard-shell carry bag. This will remove any particles of dirt, grime or oils that might have settled on the surface during use and give you peace of mind knowing that maintain the quality of your instrument for years to come!
How to Clean Your Guitar if It is Already Dusty
If you already have a dusty guitar, you can choose from many different options to clean it.
One option is to buy a polishing kit from your local music shop. The kit will come with various dust-fighting items like polish, cloths, and brushes. You can use the polish for larger dust accumulations, and the cloths to wipe down the rest of the guitar.
You can also use canned air to remove excess dust from smaller crevices. Be sure not to direct the air into any open strings or around sensitive components on the guitar because this could cause damage.
Another option for cleaning your dusty guitar is with soapy water or glass cleaner. Apply a small amount of one of these liquids with a sponge onto your cloth and rub it over your guitar in small circles until all of the dust has been removed.
If you find that your guitar is already dusty, use a soft cloth or towel to wipe down the surface.
1. Polish the body of your guitar with a soft cloth of towel and warm water.
2. Clean the surface of your guitar by rubbing it gently with a dry cloth or chamois.
3. If there is any remaining dirt or dust on the surface, use a clean, lint-free cloth to whisk away anything that remains after drying.
How to protect guitar from dust FAQS
To prevent dust buildup, you can use a few different products. You could put a piece of tinfoil over the strings or cover your guitar entirely with plastic wrap. You could also wipe down your guitar after playing with a dry cloth to remove the dust that you may have missed.
After you play your guitar, you should wipe down all surfaces with a dry cloth to remove any excess dirt and grime. If you want to be extra careful, you could use a wet cloth, but make sure it is not dripping so as not to damage the wood.
You can also purchase covers for your instrument that will shield it from dirt and debris. Some people like to store their guitars in their closets or in special cases designed for this purpose.
Conclusion
If you have a dusty guitar, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep your instrument looking and sounding its best. Whether you have a glossy or matte finish, some guitar polish and a clean cloth, or a microfiber cloth and some rubbing alcohol, you can use any of these methods to clean away dust. Once your guitar is clean, it will sound better and look better for years to come.
Dust on guitars can be a pain.
It attracts dirt, which then damages your guitar.
However, there are a lot of ways to keep your guitar clean and dust-free.
The easiest solution is to avoid it altogether by not leaving your guitar in an area that’s prone to dust.
Keeping your guitar in a case when you’re not playing it is also the best way to prevent dust from settling on it.
If you’re a frequent player, you can use a special cloth to wipe down the guitar’s strings on a regular basis.
And of course, regular cleanings with a damp cloth are the best way to make sure that any dust you do find gets cleaned off without damaging the wood finish.
