Taking Care of Your Piano Keys

Did you buy a used piano or is the one in your home been unused for years and as a result it needs to be cleaned?  If you have a rather dirty piano and you want to take better care but you don't want to hire a professional cleaner or polisher need probably all it needs is to give it a soft buff with a lint free cloth. Any sprays or harsh chemicals will damage the surface of the delicate keys and will also make the instrument look older and worn than what actually it is.

For cleaning the ivory keys you should not:

1. Immerse any part of the keys in water
2. Scrub with a brush or even a scouring pad
3. The use of any type of chemical or even washing up liquid can damage the precious surface
4. Spray with furniture polish
5. Use air-freshener anywhere near the keys or piano

Ivory should be gently wiped with a soft clean cloth.  For stubborn marks or fingerprints you should first wash your hands and then you can use a mild non-colored toothpaste on a damp cloth but ensure that you gently rub and never scrub. Wipe with fresh milk on another lint free cloth and buff well.

You should leave the piano open on sunny days so that the keys stay bleached and don't turn yellow. Keys that are badly discolored or stained should be scraped and recovered by a professional piano cleaner.

For cleaning plastic keys you should not:

1. Use chemicals
2. Leave the piano open for long periods of time as this will cause discoloration of the keys
3. Use furniture polish as this could be very harsh and damage the keys

Dust regularly and wipe occasionally with a soft solution of warm water and vinegar on clean chamois leather. Then buff well for added shine.

If you want to clean the casework that usually gets very dusty you can use a vacuum cleaner attachment to get rid of any cobwebs or dust. It can take some time but it will surely be worthwhile and remember not to use any water or liquid to clean the casework. For stains and marks you can consult a professional piano cleaner or tuner.