We have thousands of human-written stories, discussions, interviews and reviews from today through the past 20+ years. Find them here:

Cloths for cleaning

February 26, 2014 at 02:04 PM · My violin has dominant strings. I'm thinking of switching from the normal polish cloth (untreated) to a microfiber type for the strings. Will keep using the polish cloth for the rest of the violin. I was checking them online and they are either like the ones that come for applying a screen protector on a mobile phone or others similar to microfiber cloths used for washing your car. Are these others suitable for cleaning the violin or are the ones advertised for instruments any better?

Thanks.

Replies (8)

February 26, 2014 at 02:10 PM · I use an often-washed flannel cloth for dusting my violin...and I use the edge of whatever hand towel happens to be in the bathroom for cleaning the rosin off the strings (which is also washed often)...

Never been a problem...so I don't think you have to worry too much provided what you use is soft and dust-free. Avoid anything that looks/feels scratchy.

February 26, 2014 at 06:58 PM · Use a wine bottle cork to clean your strings. Works great.

February 27, 2014 at 01:49 AM · Any particular wine preference ¿

February 27, 2014 at 03:09 AM · It's best to sample a wide array of different wines.

Frequently.

Just to be sure...

February 27, 2014 at 04:01 AM · Currently I mainly use microfiber cloths.

I use the blue one from Shar to wipe the strings, fingerboard and chinrest. I also use it to wipe my bow and dust any rosin off the violin. I also use a cork on the strings if there is any build up.

This is a link to Shar Micropourous Super Cleaning Cloth – Untreated

I then use a black one by Music Nomad to wipe the instrument.

This is a link to Music Nomad Super Soft Edgeless Microfiber Suede Polishing Cloth

I watch the blue one to see when I need to wash them. I have two or three of each. I do have a few by other companies.

If you like flannel I have also used untreated clothes by various guitar companies and by Glaesel.

This is a link to Glaesel GL3980 Orchestral Polishing Cloth

There are other similar cloths in various sizes. I would stick with untreated and I have found that the ones without sewn edges seem safer, but that's just a impression.

HTH

Pat

P.S.: My teacher gave me a 50 euro looking towel from her last vacation. I keep that in my case for those times when I am in a hurry and need to do a quick wipe and go. I then do a better job at home. I do wash it periodically also. I have heard rosin can scratch so I dust and then wipe.

February 28, 2014 at 08:11 AM · Thanks for the responses. I will order some of those microfiber cloths. Thanks!

February 28, 2014 at 03:18 PM · Old piece of flannel, preferably with cartoon characters. Wash frequently. Now you understand why you saved your kids pajamas for all those years. LOL

March 1, 2014 at 12:21 AM · @David I'm actually using something like that. It's a baby handkerchief :)

This discussion has been archived and is no longer accepting responses.

Facebook YouTube Instagram RSS feed Email

Violinist.com is made possible by...

Shar Music
Shar Music

Dimitri Musafia, Master Maker of Violin and Viola Cases
Dimitri Musafia, Master Maker of Violin and Viola Cases

Pirastro Strings
Pirastro Strings

Los Angeles Philharmonic
Los Angeles Philharmonic

Violinist.com Shopping Guide
Violinist.com Shopping Guide

Larsen Strings
Larsen Strings

Peter Infeld Strings
Peter Infeld Strings

JR Judd Violins
JR Judd Violins

Bobelock Cases

Violin Lab

Barenreiter

Bay Fine Strings Violin Shop

FiddlerShop

Fiddlerman.com

Johnson String Instrument/Carriage House Violins

Southwest Strings

Metzler Violin Shop

Los Angeles Violin Shop

Violin-strings.com

Nazareth Gevorkian Violins

Subscribe

Laurie's Books

Discover the best of Violinist.com in these collections of editor Laurie Niles' exclusive interviews.

Violinist.com Interviews Volume 1
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 1, with introduction by Hilary Hahn

Violinist.com Interviews Volume 2
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 2, with introduction by Rachel Barton Pine