Just put some strings in denatured alcohol

[Remus_Redbone]

Acetone works much better and much faster. It will do whatever good it's going to do in an hour or less. The strings will be dry enough to install in about 45 seconds after you take them out and swing the around a couple times (outdoors!!). Don't get any acetone on any plastic, and I would avoid getting it on paint, too.

 

[JimmyM]

My skin couldn't take strings soaked in acetone, I don't think.

 

[ridethespiral]

acetone evaporates cleanly Jimmy. It really does clean better than alcohol but that stuff is really harsh smelling and is considered a hazardous waste.

I still don't bother cleaning my strings lol.

 

[nemo]

I've been using this method for many years. Soaking overnight might be too short, two days seem to be just right. After pulling strings out from alcohol jar/tube just hang them freely to dry for 15 minutes, no need to put them in stove. Also, use as strong alcohol as possible, 93% on the label or so.

 

[raul]

I've always known about this method but never tried. One question I have is if you're not putting them right back on your bass, what's the best way to package them after the alcohol soak? Any particular kind of bag, or just a sangwich bag?

 

[JimmyM]

Doesn't really matter how you package them after you soak them. I just use the old cardboard envelope they came in.

 

[OzzyGreg]

.

One question I have is if you're not putting them right back on your bass, what's the best way to package them after the alcohol soak? Any particular kind of bag, or just a sangwich bag?

I leave them coiled up, give them a spray with Tone Finger-Ease, then store them in a sealed sandwich bag.

The only trouble with this method is that invariably the end/s of strings poke through the bag breaking the seal!

To counter this I have each bag of flats (say 4 sets or so, whatever I can squeeze in there) in a Tupperware type sandwich box.
I've got another Tupperware box for rounds and still another for half rounds.

(I have a lot of spare strings lying around and yes, I will be donating some of them to Link Removed soon!)

 

[Remus_Redbone]

My skin couldn't take strings soaked in acetone, I don't think.

Acetone evaporates in seconds, no exaggeration. Even if it didn't, it's not harmful to skin if you don't soak in it. It's the primary ingredient in fingernail polish remover. I keep a gallon can in my shop for a lot of uses and I soak strings in that gallon can until it gets too low.

When I remove strings from soaking, I step outside and just swing the strings through the air for 10 seconds or so, and they are dry. I've tried alcohol and boiling water through the years without much success.

Acetone actually works. If your strings are still intact with no distortion or flat spots in the windings from fret contact, acetone will brighten them significantly. You can soak them overnight for maximum cleaning, but I don't think I've ever soaked any for more than a couple hours at most.

 

[BogeyBass]

Cleaning the strings towards the end will wake them up, but wiping down after playing keeps them alive for much longer.

dead skin ,oil, dirt collects in the windings, cheaper metals just lose there life.

wipe down your strings and dont buy cheapos like D uh dudley Ohs

 

[OzzyGreg]

.

Cleaning the strings towards the end will wake them up, but wiping down after playing keeps them alive for much longer.

+1

 

[F-Clef-Jef]

I know I feel like I am much brighter when soaked in alcohol...

I picked up a cheap ultrasonic cleaner (Harbor Freight) a few months ago. That thing really cleans the gunk out of the windings (I use hot water with a drop or two of Dawn dishwashing soap as a surfactant). Then I put them in my denatured alcohol tube for a couple of days for "de-oiling" and to get any water out of them (alcohol attracts water). They sound just lovely after all that love and attention. I have been using d'Addario's (nickel wound), (BTW, the ultrasonic cleaner takes the paint off of the ball ends... which is nice, I hate the gumball colored ends)
But, eventually, the strings do wear out. They just last a lot longer.

 

[FretNoMore]

I use isopropanol, soak the strings for a day or two.

Using water can really kill the strings, I left strings for a bit too long once and they came out all rusty.

 

[matthewzarder]

Cleaning the strings towards the end will wake them up, but wiping down after playing keeps them alive for much longer.

dead skin ,oil, dirt collects in the windings, cheaper metals just lose there life.

wipe down your strings and dont buy cheapos like D uh dudley Ohs

Yep. A $6 bottle of cleaner/lubricant does wonders too. Wiping down and applying this solution after every jam makes a world of difference. Also makes the strings smooth as a bass string can be on your fingers. I also agree about investing in solid strings. A well taken care of set of $50 elixers can make even a cheapo bass sing!