Cleaning Your Instrument and Strings.

It is important to keep your instrument clean. Rosin is one of the constituents of varnish and will gradually harden off into a skin, impeding vibrations, sticking the bridge to the belly and getting inside any cracks that may be open. Eventually rosin will become difficult to remove without damaging the instrument. A clean violin sounds better since the vibration of the plates is not impeded by a sticky layer of rosin and dirt. The sound of a bowed string instrument starts beneath the fingers  of the playing hand, and an uneven and dirty fingerboard is already hampering the vibration of the string before any signal hits the bridge. Rosin-caked strings sound dull and coarse. We have had customers amazed at the difference in sound quality that can be made just by cleaning the fingerboard and strings.

The best way to start is by having a simple soft yellow duster or similar cloth and wiping down the strings and the instrument before putting it away. This is the stitch in time that saves nine. Wrapping it up in a scarf or silk cloth also protects the instrument from dirt and damage when in the case. But dusting will not stop the gradual build up of rosin dust, sweaty fingermarks and atmospheric dirt, and eventually the violin will have to be cleaned.

We use a number of different cleaning agents depending on the type and condition of the varnish. The older instruments (pre 1750) were oil varnished and gradually from then until the 20th century the quicker drying spirit varnishes took over. Oil varnishes tend to be softer and more fragile; spirit varnishes tend to be glassier and harder and more likely to chip.

Most spirit varnished violins, ie most French and German trade fiddles from the later half of the 19th century, can be cleaned with any household polish. It is best to choose one that is silicone free. This also goes for proprietary violin polishes - no instrument needs layers of silicone spread over the top.

Many proprietary cleaners are a waste of money if the violin is not properly cleaned to start with. If it is very dirty with decades of sweat, atmospheric dirt and rosin dust, not to mention beer and cigarette ash, it is best to have it cleaned professionally. We would estimate that it would take a good two hours using a variety of solvents, which may include such things as Calgon water softener (a very good gentle method of removing dirt), T-Cut car polish (which was actually invented by an instrument maker!) and industrial degreasing agents like Xylene.                                                                           

All cleaners must be applied sparingly and carefully and not directly onto the body of the instrument, preferably onto cotton wool. The golden rule when cleaning is to keep checking the cotton wool. If what comes off the violin is grey or black (or even green), you are removing dirt. If the cotton wool is stained red, yellow or brown, depending on the colour of the violin, then you are removing varnish or retouching over old damage and should stop immediately. Dirt and any remaining traces of polish should be removed with a soft and very clean yellow duster. Never attempt to clean a violin with open cracks, as this will only make the instrument more difficult to repair.

Fingerboards and strings should be cleaned fairly regularly and may be cleaned with anything that contains alcohol, meths, Eau de Cologne, surgical spirit etc and of course the ever useful T-Cut. Be careful never to drop any solvent on the body of the instrument or smear any on the varnished neck. Use the cotton wool method and apply very sparingly. String cleaners are usually designed for silver and gut strings.   Since an increasing number of players now play on steel or aluminium and nylon strings, these cleaners would not be appropriate. Strings can be loosened one at a time to clean underneath. Don't take them all off at once. If they are old, however, they may not make it back up to pitch without breaking.

We would always suggest taking an instrument to your restorer to discuss its condition before attempting to clean it.