5 Ways to Care for Your Guitar This Summer
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Time to read 5 min
Introduction
Summer is when guitars get played the most - festivals, garden sessions, holidays abroad - and also when they're most at risk. Heat, humidity swings, and sun exposure can warp necks, dry out fretboards, and throw your tuning stability out the window. Here are five simple ways to keep your guitar in top form all summer long.
Table of contents
1. Keep your guitar out of direct heat and sunlight
Cars, conservatories, and sunny windowsills can turn into ovens in summer, and guitars really don't like it. Extreme heat can soften glue joints, warp finishes, and even cause the neck to bow. The fix is simple: never leave your guitar in a hot car, and store it in its case (not on a stand by a window) when you're not playing.
2. Manage humidity, don't just guess at it
Summer swings between muggy, humid days and dry, air-conditioned rooms — both of which are hard on wood. Too much humidity and your top can swell and buzz; too little and you risk cracks and sunken frets. This is exactly the problem the D'Addario Humidipak Automatic Humidity Control System was built to solve. It automatically maintains your guitar's case at the ideal 45–50% relative humidity, absorbing excess moisture or releasing it as needed, with no guesswork, no bulbs to squeeze, and no daily checking required. Pop the packs in your case and let it do the work while you're off enjoying the sunshine.
3. Wipe your guitar down after every session
Sweaty hands, sun cream, and outdoor dust all find their way onto your strings and finish faster in summer. A quick wipe-down after playing stops grime from building up and keeps your strings sounding fresh for longer. Keep a Dr Listons Remarkable Cloth in your case for this - it's soft, lint-free, and perfect for a fast clean before you put the guitar away.
4. Give your fretboard some love
Warm weather and central air conditioning both pull moisture out of the air - and out of unfinished fretboards. A dry fretboard can shrink, causing sharp fret ends and a rougher feel under your fingers. Whenever you change strings this summer, treat the board with Dr Listons Guitar Fretboard Conditioner or a few drops of Dr Listons Superior Lemon Oil to keep the wood supple and looking its best.
5. Restore the shine with a proper polish
If your guitar's been out at gigs, festivals, or garden parties, it's picked up more than its fair share of fingerprints and grime. Bring back that just-serviced shine with Dr Listons Remarkable Guitar Remedy or Dr Listons Finest Guitar Fret Polish - both formulated specifically for guitar finishes and frets, so you get a professional-level clean without any risk to the lacquer.
Don't forget the professional touch
Even with the best home care routine, guitars benefit from a proper once-over by an expert now and then - especially after a summer of heavy playing, travel, or seasonal humidity swings.
Our Guitars & Fretted Repairs service covers everything from restrings and setups to fretwork and full restorations, carried out by our skilled guitar technician. Whether your action needs adjusting after a summer of temperature changes or your strings are due a refresh before your next gig, you can book a guitar repair or restring online in just a few minutes.
We also run free Instrument Health Checks - a great no-obligation way to have your guitar looked over by our team and flag up anything worth addressing before it becomes a bigger (and pricier) problem. Keep an eye on our events page for upcoming health check and restringing event dates.
And if you're changing strings yourself this summer, don't forget our String Recycling Scheme - bring your old strings back to us and get 20% off your next set, while keeping them out of landfill.
How often should I clean my guitar in summer?
A quick wipe-down after every session is ideal, especially in warmer weather when sweat, sun cream, and dust build up faster. A deeper clean with a proper polish, like Dr Listons Remarkable Guitar Remedy, is worth doing every month or so, or whenever your guitar's been out at gigs, festivals, or garden sessions.
Do I really need a humidity control system, or is it just for expensive guitars?
Any guitar with a wooden body or neck can be affected by humidity swings, not just high-end instruments. Summer's mix of muggy days and air-conditioned rooms can cause swelling, buzzing, or drying out over time. The D'Addario Humidipak system is an affordable way to protect any guitar, and it's especially worth it if you're travelling with your instrument or don't have consistent home humidity.
Can I use household products to clean my guitar instead of specialist ones?
It's best to avoid household cleaners, furniture polish, or generic oils, as these can damage lacquer finishes or dry out fretboards over time. Products like the Dr Listons range are formulated specifically for guitar finishes, frets, and fretboards, so they clean effectively without any risk to the instrument.
How do I know if my guitar needs a professional health check rather than just a home clean?
If you're noticing buzzing, tuning instability, a change in the action or feel of the neck, or general wear after a lot of playing, it's worth booking a health check rather than relying on home care alone. Our free Instrument Health Checks are a great no-obligation way to catch small issues before they turn into bigger repairs.
The kit list
Everything mentioned above - cloths, oils, polishes, fretboard conditioner, and the D'Addario Humidipak system - is available in our Guitar Cleaning and Maintenance collection. A little care now means your guitar will still be sounding (and looking) great long after summer's over.
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Simon
With over 25 years experience, I've been fortunate enough to literally travel the world visiting factories and music shops, talking to master technicians and engineers, building up a huge knowledge and understanding of the market, products, and concepts.
I am driven by the belief that music is hugely important and should be accessible to all. I advocate for repair and reuse in the industry and across society.
