How to Clean a Mandolin
- 1). Remove the strings from the mandolin. The strings on a mandolin should be changed every four to six weeks if the mandolin is played on a regular basis. This is the time to give the mandolin a thorough cleaning.
- 2). Clean the frets and the fretboard with very fine steel wool or with a micro-mesh polishing cloth. Micro-mesh polishing cloths are available in various grits like sandpaper. Steel wool works well if the frets are excessively dirty. Start at the nut and first fret and works your way up to the neck until your reach the opposite end of the fretboard. Carefully polish the frets and fretboard to remove dirt, grime and debris.
- 3). Lubricate the fretboard with lemon oil. Apply the oil to a soft cloth and wipe the fretboard with the cloth.
- 4). Clean the finish of the mandolin with a micro-filament cleaning cloth that easily cleans the finish of a mandolin without risking injury to the finish. Wipe the finish with the cloth to remove fingerprints and other oils as well as dust, smoke residue and other grime.
- 5). Clean the tuners on the headstock of the mandolin with the micro-filament cleaning cloth. The tuners and hardware also get dirty with fingerprints, dirt and grime. Keeping the tuners clean not only enhances their appearance but it also allows them to function better as well.
