Violin Forum/Message Board

[Valoe7]

I was wondering how often should you clean your violin?
_________________
"War does not determine who is right, only who is left"-Bertrand Russel

"Do a barrel roll!" -Peppy Hare

[Jack H.]

Depends on what type of cleaning.
1. First you should wash your hads WELL beofre touching the instrument. Salts and oils are enemies to the varnish!!!
2. You should clean your violin when you finish playing it.
Take a soft cotton cloth adn wipe off the rosin dust, sometimes a soft makeup brush (that was not used for makeup) gets the dust out of the seams and edges.
3. If your violin has no cracks or openigns you can also use an ALCOHOL FREE baby wipe to remove oils and dirt every now and then.
4. IF your instruement is filthy black from oil and dirt it is time for a professional cleaning and protectuve varnishing.. Follow the first 3 steps to prevent this in the future.

What is the concern with your instrument??
What does it look like?
WHat is the problem??

Jack Havivi
Havivi Violins
Israel

[Valoe7]

Well, its because I havent cleaned one of my violins for a *while. And, now thers some weird,kinda sticky dirt thing running under the fingerboard and in front of the bridge. And im not sure how to get it out.

* maybe a year or more.
_________________
"War does not determine who is right, only who is left"-Bertrand Russel

"Do a barrel roll!" -Peppy Hare

[Shirley]

Valoe - that sure sounds like a rosin-yuk combination on the top of your violin. You might try Jack's idea of the alcohol-free baby wipe, or a little bit of what my luthier uses, "Rosinol" lighter fluid (not harmful, and I also use it to clean strings).

If it is really bad under there, Take Jack's recommendation and get yourself to a luthier or violin shop.

Good luck! Shirley

[Jack H.]