How to clean your cello strings

Daily Clean

After each use, wipe off rosin dust and other residue with a dry microfibre cloth. Then about every month or so or when the sound quality noticeably diminishes, becomes muffled and the higher harmonics fade, a deeper clean will be needed using isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) as the cleaning agent.

Thorough Clean

Cello C, G & D
For a thorough clean of the C, G & D strings, it’s recommended to loosen (or remove entirely) each string individually beforehand. Because of the flexible construction of these strings, the winding layers tend to slightly open when under tension. Over time, these windings can collect a residue of sweat, sebum, dried skin (nice!) and rosin dust. Loosening the strings allows this residue to be removed as the tension is released, enabling the cleaning process.

Before you start cleaning, make sure to shield the instrument’s body with a large cloth, clean towel, or something protective to avoid marks and potential damage to the varnish. Then, taking it one at a time and not all at once, loosen (or remove) and clean each string according to the instructions as below. Once cleaned, tighten to original tension before moving on to the next string.

Cello A
For the A string, it is recommended to clean while the string is still under tension. Again, protect the instrument with a barrier, as above, to avoid any alcohol marks. Then, proceed with the cleaning process again as suggested below.

Cleaning Process

-Always protect the body of your instrument with a protective cover against potential alcohol damage.

-Apply a small amount of isopropyl alcohol carefully to a clean microfibre or cotton cloth.

-Loosen the C, G and D strings, one at a time, then clean the string from the nut down to the tailpiece. Alternatively, remove each string entirely but, again, only individually not simultaneously.

-Repeat the process three times, ensuring that you always move in the same direction without rubbing. Finish with a dry cloth.

-Before re-tensioning each string in turn, remember to lubricate the grooves of the bridge and nut with a soft pencil.

-Bring each string back to tension before proceeding to the next.

-Keep the A string mounted at tension.

-Again, clean the A from nut to tailpiece in one direction for three passes and dry to finish.

-Note: Depending upon the amount of residue present, switch to a clean area of the cloth as required and repeat.

Congratulations! Your Larsen strings will now have regained much of their vibrancy with significantly more overtones.