It is very important to keep your guitar in tip-top condition so that it can serve you for a longer period of time. Keep in mind that your guitar is susceptible to the elements and should be taken care of properly to avoid damage. That said, here are guitar maintenance tips that will extend the lifespan of your guitar:

Keep Your Guitar in a Place with Ideal Humidity

It is good to consider the humidity level of the place where you store your guitar as wood is usually very reactive to moisture. As such, it is good to avoid storing your guitar in a place with a high humidity level as a place with a high humidity level has more moisture in the air.

Wood can swell when it comes in to contact with excess moisture. On the other hand, lack of moisture is not good for your guitar as it can cause wood to shrink. This can lead to a warped neck or cause the top of the guitar to crack. If you notice that the edges of your frets have become sharp, it means that you have been keeping the guitar in a place that lacks moisture.

When this happens, it is good to look for a place with an ideal humidity level and store your guitar there. A good place to store your guitar is a place with a relative humidity of between 45 and 55 percent. So carefully monitor the humidity level of the place you keep your guitar. You can also use a humidifier, digital hygrometer, and a dehumidifier to ensure an ideal humidity level.

Clean Your Guitar on a Regular Basis

Cleaning a guitar is among the most important guitar maintenance tips. A guitar that is cleaned on a regular basis often sounds better than one that is not cleaned on a regular basis. Keep in mind that natural oils in your skin, dead skin and sweat can affect a guitar’s playability.

It is a good idea to use a clean, dry cloth to wipe your guitar case both before and after playing it. You should also consider buying specialized guitar cleaning products for a thorough clean. You should clean the fret wires using a plastic or wooden toothpick, use a dry cloth and elbow grease to clean the headstock, neck, and body and clean and lubricate the nut.

Store Your Guitar in a Good Case

Looking for a good case is important as a case will protect your guitar from harm and sudden changes in temperature. It also ensures that the humidity level is kept at an ideal level. However, you need to make sure that the case you buy is ideal for you by doing extensive research. Remember to look for a good hard case as such a case will offer enough protection.

Ensure That Your Guitar’s Strings Are Well Maintained

One of the best ways to maintain the strings of your guitar is by washing your hands before playing your guitar. This is because of the fact that the natural oil on your hands and dirt can oxidize strings and cause them to rust. Another way is by wiping down your strings after playing your guitar.

I understand that string maintenance can be a daunting task for those with “acid hands” but this is something that you cannot avoid if you want your guitar to last for a long period of time.