Buzz
It's hard to maintain that cool guitarist vibe when your fingers carry a garlic scent. It might sound strange, but many guitarists report an unmistakable garlic-like smell lingering on their fingers after playing. What could be the cause of this?
First, it's important to recognize that this is a real issue—particularly in warmer climates. While sweaty palms and backs of hands are common, some individuals also suffer from sweaty fingers. Like fingerprints, sweat gland patterns differ, and some people's fingers have larger, more active sweat glands, according to researchers at Australia's University of Wollongong.
The garlic odor mainly arises from a mix of guitar strings, wooden guitars, and occasional neglect in hand hygiene. This smell is more noticeable if the guitarist uses metal or coated strings, though even those playing with traditional gut or silk strings may encounter the same garlic aroma due to the sweat on the fretboard and wood.
How to Avoid the Smell
"I always use a cloth—even an old T-shirt—to wipe the strings," advises Richard Robinson, who has been customizing and repairing instruments at The House of Guitars in Rochester, New York, for over 40 years.
In addition to the garlic-like odor, there are other compelling reasons to clean both your strings and your hands, Robinson explains. "When I work on guitars, I often see actual dirt and sweat on the strings and fretboards. This is what leads to deterioration... I really wish players would wash their hands more often."
Robinson shares a few methods for cleaning the fretboard. One of the most effective is using #0000 grade steel wool to carefully clean it. Just be sure to cover the pickups on electric guitars (or the sound hole pickups on acoustics) with painter’s tape to prevent steel wool fibers from getting on them, warns John LeVan, a guitar technician and author of Guitar Care, Setup & Maintenance.
Most importantly, avoid using household cleaning products on your strings or guitar. "Don’t use Windex," Robinson cautions, as he’s heard guitarists recommend it. "Some players use linseed oil, but that can lead to a sticky buildup. Stay away from that. I’ve also seen people use lemon oil—just a little bit is fine, but anything citrus-based can damage the wood. And never use Pledge!" Manufacturers offer specialized cleaning products for guitars, and it’s best to use those.
To use a classic saying: Daily handwashing and guitar care help keep the garlic scent at bay.
