Keeping your violin and bow clean are important, for maximizing sound and performance quality, and to keep both items in good working condition. However, you want to be mindful of the items you use to keep your instrument and bow clean. You should avoid using any harsh chemicals, so you don’t risk damaging your violin, bow, or your bow hair. It’s also a best practice to avoid using any standard household cleaning items or other general-purpose materials on your violin or bow.
To preserve your instrument bow’s sound quality and longevity, here are some cleaning essentials to keep stocked for self-servicing your violin bow.
Violin Bow Cleaning Essentials
There’s a range of products available for violin bow cleaning, but that doesn’t mean they are all safe or good for you to use. Keep a discerning eye, and again, avoid those common household cleaners. Most of them are far too powerful and destructive to use on a prized instrument bow.
You should always keep at least two clean soft cloth or microfiber towels reserved for cleaning your bow in your violin case. Your chosen cloth should be lint-free, and the purpose of having multiple cleaning cloths on hand is so that one can get wet with a cleaning solution and the other is dry, used for wiping the surfaces you clean.
Use one cleaning cloth to wipe the bowstick removing any dirt, rosin or other material that may accumulate on your bow and instrument strings during rehearsals or performances. Once your dry towel has become soiled and damp, you will need to replace it.
If you let rosin accumulate on your bow or strings, it may negatively impact your instrument’s sound quality. Plus, since it’s made from the resin of pine and other trees, it doesn’t take long for rosin to make a mess.
In addition having at least two cleaning cloths, it’s also helpful to stock the following materials for cleaning your violin bow:
- Rosin remover. Commercial rosin removers are available, or you can make your own cleaner from water and rubbing alcohol, to lift excess rosin that may stick to your violin bow shaft. Make sure your solution is gentle by diluting it with plenty of water. You can dip one of your cleaning clothes into the rosin remover, then gently wipe your bow surface to remove excess rosin.
- Bow hair cleaners and conditioners. Many cleaners are made from water and white vinegar, so they are relatively gentle. While it’s important to rehair your bow, as needed, sometimes a little cleaning solution between performances goes a long way. Like the rosin remover, you can dip a clean cloth into your solution, then apply it to your loosened bow hair. Note that your bow’s hair will get most dirty near the frog, so you’ll want to pay extra attention to cleaning that area.
- New toothbrush. Using a comb is also acceptable, but many violinists prefer using a toothbrush to comb their violin bow hairs up, away from the wood, after wiping them with a cleaning cloth that’s wet with solution. Note that the bow hairs should not be combed until after the hairs are completely dry.
Some violinists also prefer using a bow grip pad. Putting a grip pad on your bow will protect it from oils, sweat, and other substances that can accumulate on your hand while playing. These pads are inexpensive, and made from soft material that is easy to replace once they are no longer absorbent. If a grip pad doesn’t interest you, be sure to regularly wipe down your bow’s frog area so you aren’t leaving sweat and oils on your bow.
Learn More Violin Bow-Cleaning Essentials
CodaBow has a range of resources available to string musicians, including this bow cleaning guide that will help you freshen your violin’s sound. If your violin bow is beyond needing more than general cleaning and maintenance, we also offer convenient rehair services to CodaBow players so that you can always give your best performance.
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