Seems simple enough but Ive had a few people ask if I just toss my strings in the washing machine to clean them. So here is a quick tut on how, if you ever need to, wash your strings to get max life and best play characteristics out of each one.
Now if you use cheap, bulk string this would not apply, as youd just toss them out every so hours and slap a new one on. But for those with higher end strings, the life spans may be immensely longer than bulk in comparison and will eventually get gunked up from day to day wear. I am pretty good about always washing my hands before playing but even still, dirty strings happen.
Here is my dirty string. Im my case I use Cloud Strings, so thats what will be used for this show and tell.
It doesnt look too bad until you see it right next to a freshly washed one that looks like new even though the “clean” string you see here has at least 10 to 15 hours of play time and just got its first washing.
Time to take that dirty guy off and spruce him up! I use what ever laundry detergent Ive got on hand, but most hand soaps and dish soaps will both work in a pinch. So get your string, drop a few to several drops of soap in your palm.
Next, as you could figure, go get it wet, and lather up. Squeeze the wadded up string in your hand several times while getting it wet to build up lather and work in soap. Only get it wet at first, do not hold underwater while lathering to keep soap from rinsing off before it gets a chance to soak in and penetrate all the way through.
Here you can see my soap doesnt foam up much after kneading, but that is by design so it doesnt overwhelm the washing machine with tenacious suds. Hand soaps will foam alot more.
Now that is all wet and soapy and lathered up, its time for the final scrub. This is done by “palm rolling” the string all the way down from end to end. Start at one side of the string and rub it between your palms like your would a stick if you were trying to make a fire with sticks. Do this for a second or two and then move down the string a bit, and repeat this process until you reach he other end
here I am about half way down
Here I am almost at the end palm rolling my way down.
Now rinse very well, squeezing, squishing, kneading all while under water. Make sure that soap gets out and clean water gets in.
And here is the freshly cleaned (but still wet!) string next to a freshly cleaned and dry one. Its color will lighten further as it dries the exact same as the comparison example.
Spin, flick, snap, hang dry. itll only take about 10 mins or so and BOOM. like new!
I desired you can rub a dryer sheet on them after they are dry since they have built in softeners as well. doesnt hurt, but not necessary.