What is the best way to clean a violin bow?

Question:

What is the best way to clean a violin bow?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Loosen the bow, put some rubbing alcohol on a paper towel, and rub the dirty part of the hair with it. Dont soak the hair, just get it moist. Before you tighten the bow hair, make sure the part you cleaned is dry. Then reapply rosin because there will be none on the part that you cleaned. Alcohol is the best thing to use because it is a good disinfectant. The only reason most people clean their bows is to remove that nasty looking stuff by the frog of the bow. That nasty stuff is actually buildup of oil and dirt on your thumb. Be very careful to only get the hair, alcohol is a VERY good varnish remover.