{"id":983,"date":"2020-07-01T07:41:05","date_gmt":"2020-07-01T13:41:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-686768-2265439.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=983"},"modified":"2021-02-09T07:12:22","modified_gmt":"2021-02-09T14:12:22","slug":"clean-guitar-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/clean-guitar-case\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Clean Your Guitar Case (To Keep Your Guitar Safe And Clean)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guitar cases get dirty. It\u2019s one of the things they are designed to do. Anything that gets on the case is prevented from getting on your guitar. If you\u2019re in the unfortunate situation of getting some sort of mess on your case, congratulations! A disaster was averted. But now you\u2019ve got to get about the business of cleaning your guitar case.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because guitar cases and gig bags are designed to protect your guitar, the outside of nearly all guitar cases and gig bags can be easily cleaned with a few household items. Lightly wet a clean, soft cloth in a mix of warm water and a bit of dish soap. Then thoroughly wipe the case down, giving a bit of extra elbow grease to any particularly offensive areas. When satisfied, use a clean, dry cloth to dry the case or gig bag and you\u2019re on your way.<\/b><\/p>\n

The more often you clean your hard case or gig bag, the easier it is to keep it clean. There are, inevitably, some exceptions to the rule and you should always check with the manufacturer to confirm their recommended cleaning procedures for your particular case. Leather, particularly suede, can be irreparably damaged by water. Leather cases are typically treated with a protectant but that is not always the case<\/strong>, no pun intended. Always treat a leather case with a leather conditioner according to manufacturer recommendations after cleaning.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do I clean a guitar case?<\/b><\/h2>\n

There are essentially only two types of guitar cases and how you clean them can differ widely. The most common guitar cases one can typically buy are hard cases and gig bags. Within those two types are a few varieties.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hard guitar cases<\/strong> provide the greatest protection and come in a range of varieties including molded plastic, wood, and chipboard (to be frank, chipboard guitar cases should not ever, under any circumstances, be considered a \u2018hard\u2019 case nor used to protect your guitar. Chipboard, for all sense and purpose, is basically cardboard and provides no real protection from impact).<\/span><\/p>\n

Soft guitar cases or gig bags<\/strong> range from high end, padded bags down to what essentially amount to a dust cover with a pocket and a zipper. Most gig bags are machine washable (always check with the manufacturer <\/span>before<\/span><\/i> putting a soft case in a washing machine).<\/span><\/p>\n

Cleaning either hard cases or gig bags is simple and can be accomplished in a matter of several minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"CleaningWhat you will need:<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Two clean, soft cloths\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Warm water<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Dish soap<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Soft bristled toothbrush or scrub brush<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Several minutes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    You can use any type of clean, soft cloth for cleaning and drying your guitar case. Old concert shirts, sheets, towels, or paper towels will work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Start by meticulously vacuuming out the inside of your case, or if you have access to one, use an air compressor to blow all the dirt, dander and Flamin\u2019 Hot Doritos from the nooks, crannies and pockets.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Mix one drop of dish soap in to one cup of warm water.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Wet one cloth in the water\/soap mixture and thoroughly wring out as much water as possible.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Wipe down the entire outside case giving special attention to anything sticky or caked\/dried on. Anything that does not easily wipe off with soap and water can be addressed with the toothbrush or scrub brush.<\/span><\/li>\n
    5. Using the other soft, dry cloth wipe the entire case down paying particular attention to ridges, edges, and seams where water can collect.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      In some instances, the inside of your hard guitar case can also be cleaned with soap and water. Some manufacturers recommend it only if absolutely necessary. If we learned anything from Forrest, Forrest Gump it is that (to paraphrase) stuff happens, sometimes. If you have spilled fondue or a beverage inside your case, or a particularly malfeasant cat has laid claim to your case as its own, the mess can be tackled with soap and water. However, in my experience, the soft lining never really fully returns to its normal, soft, fluffy texture. I only recommend cleaning the inside of a hard case with water if absolutely necessary. A wet\/dry shop vac can be used to help remove excess water from the lining, helping it fluff up again and preventing the fibers from clumping together. The more water you can remove before allowing the inside of your case to air dry the closer it will be to its original state.<\/span><\/p>\n

      When you do clean the inside of any guitar case with water, make <\/span>absolutely<\/span> sure the case is completely, 100% dry before putting the guitar back in it<\/strong>. I cannot stress this enough – if the inside of the guitar case is wet it will damage the finish and even the wood. The cost to repair the guitar will most certainly exceed the cost of a new case.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Can you put a guitar case in the washing machine?<\/b><\/h2>\n

      \"Clean<\/p>\n

      For hard cases the obvious answer is \u2018no.\u2019 They won\u2019t fit in a washing machine. If this isn\u2019t obvious to you you probably shouldn\u2019t have a guitar. Or a washing machine\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

      Under most circumstances, just washing with a cloth is sufficient. But aromas, such as cigarette smoke, pet odors, or the trout your drummer put in your case thinking it was hilarious, are much more difficult stains to remove from a guitar bag.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Guitar bags are, in most cases, machine washable. Again, always check the manufacturer cleaning instructions <\/span>before<\/span><\/i> attempting to wash your case. If your guitar bag will fit in your washing machine (and you have checked with the manufacturer) then Bob\u2019s your uncle and it can likely be machine washed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      What you will need:<\/span><\/h3>\n