The finish and the decorative fittings on the outside of the instrument protect the body and give it its appearance, so routine care is mostly about cleaning gently. A dry wipe with a clean soft cloth is all that is needed. Solvent-based cleaners, rough cloths and stiff brushes can all damage the finish and leave marks that are hard to put right.
Dust first, wipe second. Wiping a finish that still has grit on it is like sanding it. Brush the loose dust away with a soft brush or a blower, then wipe with a clean dry cloth. Neither step should be skipped.
Gloss and matte finishes need different handling. A gloss finish can be wiped with a cloth wrung almost dry and dried straight away. A matte finish has no mirror sheen to begin with, and polish will brighten patches of it, leaving pale marks you cannot remove.
Do not wipe large areas with a damp cloth. Water works its way into the gaps around fittings and into the joints; nothing shows at first, but the joints whiten and open up over time. Fingerprints are best handled with a barely damp cloth, kept to the smallest area and the shortest time.
Lift from underneath, never by the fittings. When carrying or packing the instrument, keep clear of the protruding decorative parts: they take the load and chip or crack easily. Support the body at both ends underneath rather than gripping the nuts, the fittings or the edge of the sound hole.
Look at the joints now and then. Watch the seam where the soundboard meets the body and the joints between fittings and rims; damp or uneven loading can loosen them. A check at each change of season is enough — if a gap has widened or the edge feels loose under your finger, deal with it early rather than after it fails.
Keep it out of the sun. A finish left in direct sunlight yellows, loses its sheen and can develop fine cracks. Avoid the south-facing window, and do not leave the instrument above a radiator.
Small chips can stay; large damage needs a professional. For anything beyond a small mark, have the repair done properly: touching up by hand rarely matches the colour and texture, and the patch usually ends up more visible than the damage.