How to Clean Violin Strings

Last Updated: June 29, 2021 Approved

Your violin is pretty hardy, but your strings need some TLC to stay in tip-top condition throughout your practice sessions and performances. Thankfully, cleaning violin strings is not nearly as time-consuming as cleaning the entire violin. With regular maintenance, you can keep your strings free of rosin with the help of a few common household items.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Rosin Buildup

1
Clean your strings after every use so rosin doesn’t build up. Get in the habit of cleaning your violin strings every time you play, especially if you play your instrument often. Before putting the violin back in its case, wipe down the strings to clear away any rosin residue, so it doesn’t build up over time.^{[1]
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- Rosin build-up makes your strings look white.
2
Wipe down your strings with a microfiber cloth. Grab a soft, non-abrasive cloth that won’t damage your strings or fingerboards. Move the cloth along the entire length of the string, taking care to wipe beneath the string as well. Ultimately, you don’t want rosin to build up on your instrument, or else it may not sound as clear and professional as possible.^{[2]
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- Clean or replace your microfiber cloth at least once a year, if you can.^{[3]
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3
Cut up an old T-shirt if you don’t have a special cloth on hand. Grab a soft, old tee that you don’t use much anymore. Snip into small squares, which you can carry with you in your violin case. Like the microfiber cloth, wipe down the entire string to get rid of any leftover rosin residue.^{[4]
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- Try to wash these squares at least once a year, especially if you play violin often.
- The squares don’t have to be a specific size—however, they should be large enough to comfortably hold and move over the strings.
4
Clean off your strings with the side of a credit card in a pinch. Grab an old credit or debit card from your wallet and arrange it along the side of each string at a 45-degree angle. Move the card along the entire length of the string to get rid of a lot of rosin residue.^{[5]
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- This isn’t as thorough as wiping off the string with a cloth, but it’s a good solution if you don’t have anything else on hand.
5
Wipe down your strings with specialized cleaning pads. Look online for specialty products designed specifically for violins and other orchestra instruments. Just center and pinch the pad on top of each string, dragging it along the string to get rid of the resin residue.^{[6]
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- It takes a few swipes to get rid of your leftover rosin.
- These pads are similar to steel wool, but aren’t as abrasive.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

What to Avoid

1
Refrain from using alcohol to clean your strings. Alcohol tends to be a popular suggestion online, but it isn’t very practical for the long-term health of your instrument. Alcohol and other liquid solvents can damage and shorten the lifespan of your strings. Stick to simpler cleaning methods instead, like wiping off your strings with a dry cloth.^{[7]
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- If alcohol gets on your violin, it may damage the finish.^{[8]
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2
Don’t clean your violin strings with water. A water-soaked cloth will remove some of your rosin dust, but it won’t make a big dent in the problem. Instead, just clean off your instrument with a dry cloth instead.^{[9]
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3
Avoid cleaning your strings or fingerboard with steel wool. Steel wool is a popular solution for rosin residue. Unfortunately, steel wool microscopically damages and changes your strings, which will change the way your instrument sounds. This can make it harder to tune your instrument more accurately, and will do more long-term damage than good.^{[10]
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- If you look at a zoomed-in picture of a violin string that was rubbed with steel wool compared to a normal string, you’ll see a noticeable difference.
4
Don’t apply rosin to your violin strings. Rosin is designed specifically for violin bows—even if it seems convenient, you won’t be doing yourself any favors if you apply the product directly to your strings. Instead, reach for a safer alternative, like a clean piece of cloth.^{[11]
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- While this probably isn’t the source of your rosin buildup, it’s still helpful to keep in mind as you play and clean your instrument.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I just use a cloth for minor cleanings?

Amanda Earnhart

Community Answer

Yes, you can. You could simply cut up an old T-shirt to use, but there are slightly higher quality cleaning cloths you can buy. Wiping the areas on your strings with the most rosin using a gentle but firm pressure is the best way to do it.
Question

How can I clean the excess rosin that fell on the body of my violin if I can't use alcohol?

Community Answer

Just use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe down your violin.