How often you clean your guitar can really prolong the detail and the overall life of the instrument. For guitarists that tend to reject their guitar's "health," they find it returns the favor by breaking down and not performing well.

Learn to appreciate your guitar by focusing on how to clean it well from time to time. Here are just a few easy steps to keeping a nice shine on that fine instrument.

1. Windex your guitar body.

Almost every household can vouch that they have an old bottle of glass cleaner lying around. It isn't that expensive to begin with and it's the best thing to get rid of smudges from your guitar body. You really don't have to bother with purchasing any expensive polishes from a music store.

2. Keep the plastic on the pick guard as long as you can manage.

You notice how the guitar manufacturers put that thin layer of plastic on the pick guard in order to protect it and keep it clean during shipping? If no one can notice that it's there, keep it on! It will eventually peel off, but until then, you can let your fans wonder how your pick guard stays scratch-free.

3. Wipe down the frets when you change the guitar strings.

It can be tough when you're rushed to change your guitar strings in the middle of a set, but on any other occasion, you should take the time to wipe down your fret board. It will be one of the few times that there aren't those pesky strings getting in the way.

4. Wash your hands often.

Have you ever found that it's harder to move across the guitar strings because they seem greasy? Wash your hands more than you think because you're really taxing the life of your guitar strings and inhibiting your playing speed.

5. Polish the hardware when you have the time.

That guitar hardware is going to get some nasty stuff growing on it after a few months or years of sweat and rock. Take a toothbrush to those things with some glass-cleaner and make it shine again.

It may be a dirty job, but focusing on how to keep a clean guitar in your life will really ease up on the wear and tear that it will eventually receive. Take a little bit of time per month and put a fast spit-shine on that guitar.