I am using SouthCoast plastic strings on my uke and they seem to get oily and sticky from my fingers. What is safe to clean these with? Do they absorb water like nylon or is that safe? Is soap bad?
The only time I've ever cleaned the strings on any of my instruments it was if I got bbq or chicken grease on them and even then it was reluctantly, especially on my basses.
The advice I received was that cleaning the instruments occasionally with a damp cloth wouldn't do any harm. Fluorocarbon doesn't absorb moisture but the fret board might so the operative word is damp - not wet.
Can't comment on soap and personally I wouldn't try that. There are proprietary guitar cleaners that shouldn't do any harm if you want to spend the money. Another thing that might help is to get in the habit of washing hands prior to practice or playing. I started doing that more to wake up the fingers than as a hygiene measure, but it can't hurt.
Another thing that might help is to get in the habit of washing hands prior to practice or playing. I started doing that more to wake up the fingers than as a hygiene measure, but it can't hurt.
It doesn't have to be while you're playing. Many moons ago I did corporate PC support. Employees were not allowed to eat at their desks. But even on the neat desks of people you'd consider clean, the mice would pick up boogies, and the beige keyboards would have discoloration. It just happens.