Which Cloths for Violin Cleaning? Microfibre Cloths for the Violin, A Short Guide 

The best clothes for violin cleaning are made from lint-free material, preferably microfibre cloth that will not damage your instrument and violin varnish with use, or damage the violin varnish surface.

Smooth, gentle, and washable, microfibre cloth is the best kind of material you can clean a violin with, and can be purchased at a violin or music shop or store, in person or online.

Avoid Cleaning Solvents and Polishers Unless Advised

It is ultimately advised not to use cleaning agents with solvent in daily cleaning if you play an antique instrument. Cleaning and polishing solvents can wear down and then occlude the acoustic surface of your violin respectively, and erode varnish as well as muffle the sound.

If you have a costly instrument, have your violin cleaning needs assessed under the jurisdiction of a violin maker and cleaner, and/or professional restorer, as certain violin varnishes do react with solvents. As established, violin cleaning solvents also have oils that may dampen a violin’s acoustic effects likewise.

Even if you are a beginner violin or at intermediate to moderately advanced stages, it is still less advised to clean your violin with solvents on your own.

Daily and Regular Gentle Cleaning

By contrast, regular cleaning or routine dusting down of the violin should preserve rosin build-up, and/or the need for solvents, polish, or even a professional clean. It is best advised that one gently dust down one’s violin daily, and to have a professional luthier, violin maker, or violin repairer look at the violin to determine how best to clean it.

Targeted Cleaning, Multiple Cloths, Washing Cloths Over Time

Microfibre cloths are best suited for these purposes, and multiple copies can be purchased for multiple parts of your instrument. Heavy rosin build up areas like under the bridge can be cleaned with one cloth, cleaning the bow is possible with another.

The cloths can also be gently washed and dried whenever it is suited for you.

When you clean your instrument, clean it gently when you dust it down. Try not to use too much strength as this can erode, abrade, and damage the varnish.

By Orion Music and Arts, Cambridge, MA, 2023-2024

Please feel free to use the contact form to reach us for more products and enquiries, or for more information. The information available here is also available as a short e-book, a How to Guide for the Violin.

Orion Music and Arts, Cambridge, MA, 2023-2024, Copyright, ©, Orion Music and Arts

All Rights Reserved