Maintaining a piano does not just mean a regular tuning and service. It is also very important that you clean your instrument regularly.
Regular cleaning of your piano is not only important for its beautiful appearance, but also for its functionality and your health. Especially the piano keys, as you touch them every time you play the piano. Finger oil is mixed with dust and dirt, causing the keys to be dirty or even stained, also the viruses and bacteria can persist on the surfaces for several days. Improper cleaning can cause the keys to stick or crack over time.
Cleaning the outside of the piano
Wipe the dust off the surface of the piano regularly with a clean soft cloth. You can also use wood surface cleaners, which should not be aggressive. Never apply the cleaner directly to the piano but always to a cloth.
Do not touch the inside of the piano or the piano
Action, strings, sound board and other internal components should be cleaned and serviced by a piano technician. Do not repair by yourself, as this may inadvertently cause more damage (if you touch the strings, they may rust due to the humidity of our hands).
Cleaning the piano keys
Wipe the piano keys with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid any chemical cleaners as they can actually cause more damage to the keys.
If the keyboard is very dirty, wipe it with a cloth moistened with a mild solution of non-aggressive soap and filtered water, and drain it well before cleaning. The same cloth should not be used to clean the surface of the piano! Do not use paper towels for cleaning – they are cheap, but they are too coarse and most of the time, they leave filaments / dust.
Usually we do not recommend alcohol- based cleaners but to disinfect the piano keys, the best solution is to use pure alcohol-based cleansers – they should be liquid (not gel) and with no oils added. You can also use wipes to disinfect the surfaces or liquid hand sanitizer (not gel!). Make sure you use only a little cleaner and ventilate the room well during cleaning. Never apply cleaners directly to keys, but always to a cloth! And be careful! You can only use this method for instruments new to 1960 because the black keys does not have polish.
Wipe the keys down towards you – like brushing, never from one key to the other, or up and down. This will avoid moisture between the keys.
Always keep the cloth moist and never soaked so that liquid does not leak between the keys as you do not want moisture to accumulate between the keys. It is recommended that you replace the cloth with the black and white keys. At the end wipe the keys with a dry cloth.
Wipe one key at a time and dry it before proceeding to the next.
It is recommended that the cloth that you use is white or washed repeatedly so that it does not leak the color. When cleaning, be careful not to get too abrasive (like exfoliation), which can lead to damage.
* Always try a new detergent on a small spot before using it. Use cleaners according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Preventive measures
- Do not play the piano with dirty hands.
- If the piano is placed in a place where several people pass by daily, it is advisable to close / lock the keyboard
- When not using the instrument, it is recommended that the piano cover and the keyboard cover is closed. This prevents dust from collecting between the keys and strings and prevents exposure to other contaminants such as pet hair.
- You can also cover the entire piano with a cover. This will also protect the exterior of the instrument not only from dust but also from shock.
Instructions from individual manufacturers regarding cleaning your piano
Careful maintenance of the piano will significantly prolong its life while also taking care of your health. If you would like to know more about how to take care of your piano, give us a call or write to us.
