Alternatives to denatured alcohol for string cleaning (not boiling)

[Ewo]

Once I found how well a few days soaking in denatured alcohol restores life to strings, I found it a nice way to cut down on buying new ones. I play pressurewounds, have a few sets, take the current one off, soak them, and put another on while they soak. After a few days I hang 'em up and they're back in the rotation.

Yeah, I've used the alcohol soak tube trick for years, to great results--rotate a couple sets just as you described. I get three passes out of a set that way: new, soaked once, soaked a second time.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

How bout’ a new set?

That's what I do.

 

[devnulljp]

Buy new strings. Easy.

 

[Mili]

The point of cleaning the round strings is removing the dirt which is out of reach by a rag (Between the core and wire(so you should soak it)) so whatever solvent you use, you will get much better result with an ultrasonic cleaner.

 

[Dynacord]

While this is most certainly true, having worked with Acetone daily for four years (in the military) I will tell you that a simple splash on any finished surface (including your bass) will eat through the finish in under 3 seconds. I would be very VERY careful using acetone around any of your possessions.

I would try any kind of alcohol (including vodka) before acetone.

Better yet, play flats. String once, play forever.

Just want to second this. Keep acetone as far away from nitro finishes in particular as possible. Will also eat through celluloid pickguards (conversely, used right, it's the best 'glue' for those guards as it melts the celluloid).

 

[Rabidhamster]

Denatured alcohol is no longer available in CA. (Let's keep the political comments out of the thread, please). I don't like boiling strings.
What other good alternatives are available for string soaking/cleaning?
Cost, within reason, is not a huge issue - I only buy one or two quarts of the stuff per year.

<edit> with a bit more research I find I could use Everclear...
I've also seen isopropyl alcohol as an alternative - anyone use it?

I don’t soak strings but I clean everything I can with everclear or Mohawk it’ll work just as well as the denatured did unless whatever solvent was denaturing your specific alcohol before cut the crud better. Plus it won’t try to kill you as hard.

There are a couple hardware store solvents that would work even better but they’re so unsafe I won’t even mention the names.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I got this tip from builder Carl Thompson way back - I'm really surprised I've never seen this method posted in these kinds of threads.

I've used pure lemon oil for 30+ years to successfully freshen up strings.

1] Loosen the strings one at a time
2] Wipe down the string length with a cloth saturated with some lemon oil on it
3] Wipe down string again with clean cloth this time, to remove any excess oil and grime.
4] Retune string, before moving on to the next string - and repeat 1 thru 4.

I've done this many times to the same string set - it really freshens and stretches the life of strings, with none of the down sides from boiling or using chemicals.

It might be worth mentioning that pure lemon oil is a strong solvent that should not be used for cleaning guitars or oiling fretboards. The stuff that's sold as "lemon oil" for guitars contains either a tiny bit of diluted lemon oil or no lemon oil at all (just some kind of citrus fragrance).

Pure lemon oil can damage the finish, ruin fretboards or even make binding/frets come loose. Pure lemon oil is strong enough to dissolve some types of glue.

I've never used pure lemon glue for cleaning strings. I'm sure it works fine. I'm just mentioning this to avoid people getting these two completely different products mixed up. So called "lemon oil" for guitars is NOT the same as pure lemon oil. In fact, it may not contain lemon oil at all.

 

[DrBnz]

Eye-glass cleaning pads.... Walmart - by the box. Just run em over the string and toss it.

 

[Citizen Nara]

I use lacquer thinner as a general purpose solvent around my shop - no water, it cleans up gunk faster than alcohol, it evaporates fairly quickly, and doesn’t leave a smell like some solvents.

This. Nitro thinner can do wonders, just make sure to take the strings off first.

 

[micguy]

This. Nitro thinner can do wonders, just make sure to take the strings off first.

Yes - soak the strings in it, not the whole bass.

 

[fhm555]

Soak them longer in 80% isopropyl and keep it warm during the soak. Also, use heat to dry your strings throughly once all the gunk has been leached from them.

 

[petch]

After years of using Fast Fret, I have switched to this. It works better for me as a string lubricant and cleans the strings nicely.

 

[DOMIT]

I got this tip from builder Carl Thompson way back - I'm really surprised I've never seen this method posted in these kinds of threads.

I've used pure lemon oil for 30+ years to successfully freshen up strings.

1] Loosen the strings one at a time
2] Wipe down the string length with a cloth saturated with some lemon oil on it
3] Wipe down string again with clean cloth this time, to remove any excess oil and grime.
4] Retune string, before moving on to the next string - and repeat 1 thru 4.

I've done this many times to the same string set - it really freshens and stretches the life of strings, with none of the down sides from boiling or using chemicals.

Isn't that also good for your fretboard? It seems I remember hearing that once upon a time.

 

[Turnaround]

I now keep microfiber rags around and give my strings a good dry rubdown before I start playing

You'd be better off giving them a good rubdown after playing, before the oils and crud have a chance to solidify.

 

[Deleted member 365158]

You'd be better off giving them a good rubdown after playing, before the oils and crud have a chance to solidify.

Absolutely,
Unfortunately I usually don’t think about it till the next time i pick it up

 

[Cave Puppy]

You could try this.

This works for me in a pinch.

 

[friskinator]

I've mentioned this here before, but I wash mine in the washing machine. Put the strings inside an old sock or small cloth bag, then safety pin the end shut so they won't fall out. Wash with a load of clothes (or towels if you're concerned about the string ends poking through). Take out of wash and let dry. They'll sound like new, and I've done this with one set repeatedly with great results.

 

[pbass74]

I'll put in another plug for an ultrasonic cleaner. It's quick, and easy and uses no harsh chemicals, just water.

 

[Altitude]

Maybe vinegar? It works as a descaler, so it might work to break down the organic material on the strings too, which is what you need.

Far be it from me to call into question the advice of legendary luthiers, but I don't think lemon oil (or any kind of oil) will do the job you're looking to do. Lipids accumulating amongst the nooks and crannies of your strings are actually the issue, not the solution.

 

[BarfanyShart]

I've always used isopropyl alcohol to clean strings, not soaking but just wiping weekly or so, works great. It evaporates quick, so you can even clean unfinished fingerboards very safely and efficiently with it.