Keep Your Guitar Hydrated This Winter: The Planet Waves Humidifier Method

Updated at: 22/05/2025

Winter's dry air is a guitarist's worst nightmare, threatening the very life of your beloved instrument. The harsh, low humidity can cause cracking, warping, and ultimately, irreparable damage to your guitar's delicate wood, rendering it unplayable and significantly diminishing its value. Protecting your investment and ensuring your instrument remains in top playing condition throughout the colder months is crucial, and thankfully, there's a simple, effective solution. The Planet Waves humidifier system offers a reliable and user-friendly approach to maintaining optimal humidity levels within your guitar case.

This article will guide you through a step-by-step process of properly using a Planet Waves humidifier, ensuring your guitar stays perfectly hydrated and ready to play all winter long. By following these simple instructions, you can rest assured your instrument will remain safe from the damaging effects of winter's dry air, preserving its tone, playability, and beauty for years to come.

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Diodario Planet Waves Humidifiers
Safety Guidelines
  • Never over-humidify. Excessive moisture can lead to mold and damage your guitar more than dry air.
  • Always use a humidifier specifically designed for acoustic instruments. Household humidifiers are often too powerful and can cause damage.
  • Monitor humidity levels regularly with a hygrometer to ensure you maintain the optimal range (40-50%). Don't just rely on the humidifier; check the actual humidity.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Humidifier

    • Remove the humidifier sponge from the Planet Waves container.
    • Wet the sponge thoroughly under running water.
    • Squeeze out excess water until the sponge is damp but not dripping.
    • Place the damp sponge back into the Planet Waves container.
    Place the damp sponge back into the Planet Waves container.Place the damp sponge back into the Planet Waves container.Place the damp sponge back into the Planet Waves container.Place the damp sponge back into the Planet Waves container.
    Prepare the Humidifier

  2. Place Humidifier in Guitar Case

    • Insert the humidifier between the D and G strings of your guitar, sliding it under the retention tabs.
    • Place the humidifier inside your guitar case.
    Place the humidifier inside your guitar case.Place the humidifier inside your guitar case.
    Place Humidifier in Guitar Case

  3. Check and Repeat

    • Check the sponge after at least one night. If it's dry, repeat steps 1-6.
    Check the sponge after at least one night. If it's dry, repeat steps 1-6.
    Check and Repeat

Read more: DIY Long-Lasting Guitar Humidifier for Your Case (Cheap & Effective)

Tips

  • Always leave the humidifier inside the guitar case for best results to prevent moisture from escaping.
  • Don't over-humidify your guitar. Check daily and only re-wet the sponge if necessary.
  • Proper humidification prevents problems like loose binding, neck angle issues, bridge separation, and top cracks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-humidification

Reason: Using too much water or placing the humidifier too close to the guitar can lead to excessive moisture, causing swelling and potential damage to the wood.
Solution: Reduce the amount of water used or increase the distance between the humidifier and the guitar.

2. Inconsistent Humidification

Reason: Failing to regularly check and refill the humidifier leads to inconsistent humidity levels, negating the benefits and potentially causing more damage than good.
Solution: Establish a routine of checking and refilling the humidifier at least once a week, adjusting as needed based on your environment.

FAQs

How often do I need to refill my Planet Waves humidifier?
Refilling frequency depends on your environment's humidity and the size of the humidifier. Check the water level at least once a week. If the sponge is dry or significantly less full, it's time to refill. You'll likely need to refill more often in very dry climates.
My guitar still feels dry even with the humidifier. What should I do?
Ensure the humidifier is correctly placed within the case, making good contact with the soundboard. Check for leaks and make sure the sponge is fully saturated before placing it in the case. Consider using a hygrometer to monitor the humidity levels inside your guitar case to identify if it's achieving the desired level of humidity (around 45-55%). If the humidity remains low despite these checks, you may need a larger or more powerful humidifier, or your environment might require more aggressive humidity control.