Piano Soundboard Cleaning Tools? Best 51 Answer

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The more a piano is used, the dirtier it gets. From fingerprints to dust, water stains and rust, pianos can get pretty messy. From time to time your piano needs a proper cleaning. If this is your first time cleaning a piano, you may be wondering how to properly clean a piano. Having cleaned my own piano for many years, I can share with you some of the best ways to do it.

How to clean a piano. Use a solution of vinegar and warm water to clean the keys. Use a non-abrasive cloth and special polish on the outer case to prevent scratches and preserve the piano’s shiny finish. Dust can be removed with a light feather duster or damp cloth. Rusty strings should be cleaned with a coarse cloth.

Knowing how to clean a piano is important because doing it wrong can actually damage the instrument. Next, I detail how to properly clean each area of ​​the piano so it will last for generations. Let’s start with the easiest part of the piano to clean; the keyboard.

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How to clean a piano keyboard

The black keys of a piano generally need very little cleaning; at most a dusting. However, the white keys are more prone to smudges, and it’s easier to see dust and fingerprints on them.

Most piano keyboards have key tops made of plastic material. This makes them relatively easy to clean with the right polishes or even a simple combination of water and alcohol.

I recommend using Cory’s polish for this part of the piano. Their polish leaves no film residue and is excellent at removing dead skin and dirt from the keys. Music Nomad also does a good polish that is also easy on plastic keys.

If you have an older piano that uses ivory keys, consider using this particular method to lighten them.

Ivory Keys are quite difficult to work with as they can sometimes turn yellow after a while. They are also more porous and sensitive to the chemicals in today’s plastic key cleaners. If the ivory keys get too wet, that moisture can actually seep into the wood, inevitably causing swelling.

To clean ivory keys, you can use a combination of toothpaste or lemon juice for cleaning. Slightly dampen the cloth and then apply the ingredients.

For the heavy stains caused by dirty hands or pens, you can use rubbing alcohol. To combat the yellow color you can actually use bleach to try and lighten the keys.

When using bleach, I recommend removing the individual keys that have turned yellow. This allows you to better adjust the whiteness of all other keys.

Whatever key material you have, you should always use a non-abrasive cloth to wipe them down. I find microfiber cleaning cloths work best. They are gentle enough on the instrument but also have enough grip to remove stains.

Cotton swabs are also good for cleaning hard-to-reach areas of the keys.

Starting with the white keys, apply polish and scrub the top of each key individually. Be careful not to allow the solution to drip between the keys and soak into the wood.

If your piano keys are dusty, it’s a good idea to wipe them down with a dry cloth first. Mixing the dust and the solution will only create more stains.

The right way to clean piano pedals

The next area of ​​a piano to clean is the pedals. Pedals are made of different metals. Some are brass plated while others are chrome plated. Keep this in mind when choosing a polish for cleaning.

If your piano is used often, the pedals are likely to have scuff marks from shoes. Some pedals also experience some corrosion and green tarnishing, depending on whether they’re nickel-plated or brass-plated.

These can be removed with a polish such as Noxon 7. Noxon 7 is a popular liquid metal polish that is also good for rust stains.

Just add some polish, rub it on the pedal’s surface and let it sit for a few minutes. This allows the polish to work through the corroded areas.

After that, keep rubbing the pedal and you’ll notice that it has a different appearance almost immediately.

It’s a good idea to put a protective cloth over the wood where the pedals sit. You don’t want to get any of the solutions on the wood as it could cause damage.

Dusting and polishing the outer case

The area that collects the most dust is the piano case. The lid of the piano will collect the most dust, as will the sides of the piano along with the fallboard.

The first thing you should do is remove the dust with a feather duster. Microfiber dusters also work well. I like to use a tubular duster so I can reach the far ends of the instrument more easily.

After dusting the entire piano, you can start applying polishes to remove dirt. This is usually a two step process as a piano needs to be primed first.

Pre-polish is best used as a fingerprint remover, but will also remove oils, grime, bookmarks, pawprints, and dirt.

After you’ve removed all the markings on the piano, it’s time to restore it to its original condition. Most available polishes are suitable for ebony and satin finishes. Anything with lacquer, polyurethane or high gloss finishes is also covered.

Cory, for example, has UV protection for those who have pianos near windows. This protection prevents fading in all areas exposed to sunlight.

The reason I’m a huge fan of Music Nomads Polish is because of the ingredient it contains. This polish contains carnauba wax which will not fog up after wiping. The Brazilian wax is known for producing a glossy finish, making it a good choice for pianists.

While most polishes will remove small scuffs and ridges, they will not remove surface scratches. To resolve this issue, you should contact your local piano technician.

Cleaning the inside of the piano

The most delicate part of the piano isn’t the keys or the outer case; It’s the inside of the piano. This is the place where all the intricate parts of a piano are housed.

The cast iron top, soundboard, strings, hammers, dampers and the rest of the overall piano mechanics. Let’s start by describing how to properly clean each specific area so that these fine materials don’t get damaged.

How to clean the inner piano case

The inner case is where most of the wood is exposed. Usually you only find dust here. This is an easy area to clean up with a feather duster. For the really dirty areas, you may want to dampen the cloth just enough to pick up the dust.

As you work around the edge of the piano, be careful not to bump against the strings.

Since the soundboard is just below the strings, it’s a good idea to first place a towel on the inside of the piano to catch any dirt or dust that may fall. This is also a good time to clean the piano’s inner lid while it’s open.

When you’re done mopping, simply roll up the towel and shake it out elsewhere.

How to clean piano strings

Piano strings can have all sorts of stains. Most of the time you’ll find that dust collects between the top strings and cleaning this space can be difficult.

While a feather duster works great, you can use cotton swabs or a toothpick wrapped in a thin cloth to remove these particles.

I also find that brushes with thin, soft bristles work well. Move the brush back and forth with the edge side to easily get into the small areas between the strings.

Older pianos can have rusty strings depending on what material they are made of. Something more abrasive like a coarse sponge or steel wool works well here to lift the rust off.

Remember that rust can sometimes get powdery and airborne, so be sure to use a mask to remove it just to be safe. Be sure to lightly scrub both the bridge pins and the front pins.

After that you can wipe the strings with a damp cloth.

Because the strings are made of metal, the water won’t do any harm. It’s important to remove rust the moment you see it, as the accumulation of rust can cause strings to break.

I recommend cleaning the strings before tuning a piano. If you play with the strings after tuning, the piano will go out of tune again, costing you another round of tuning.

How to clean the piano soundboard

The soundboard of a piano is one of the most difficult areas to clean. For one, it is fragile and should be approached with care. Also, it’s really difficult to reach this area without having to disassemble the entire instrument.

A quick fix is ​​to invest in a feather duster like this one; It’s thin enough to get under the piano strings and has a handle for easy use.

My method of cleaning the soundboard involves none of that. All you need is a microfiber cloth and a steel ruler. Make sure the ruler is deep enough to reach the soundboard, preferably 6″ to 7″ in length.

Start by dropping the microfiber cloth under the bass strings. With the steel ruler, start working the fabric along the length of the piano. This will essentially pick up dust and serve as a way to slowly mop everything up.

You can easily thread the cloth through the front of the strings, but it’s a little trickier under the back end. Be patient and careful not to chip anything when cleaning the soundboard. Once you have the cloth at the other end, simply pull it out.

At this point you may see quite a bit of airborne dust on the soundboard. You can use an air blower or a fan to get rid of it.

How to clean the piano mechanics

The last area of ​​the piano that needs cleaning is the action. This area can be cleaned at the same time as the strings as you will be using many of the same tools. For the dampers, simply press down on the pedal with your foot and come under each one with a feather duster.

Be careful with this area to avoid accidentally dislodging a felt. For the hammers, you can actually pull out the piano’s mechanics and clean each one individually. Here is a video showing how to get the mechanics out of a grand piano.

Take a cloth with each hammer and gently go over each one. Also check for dust buildup in the wooden bars, knuckles, and rep levers. Check out how a piano works here so you can see the different areas that make up the plot.

Hire a professional to clean your piano

If you have a very valuable or antique instrument, cleaning it yourself can seem a bit daunting. This is where I recommend you hire a professional to do it.

Many piano technicians offer specialized cleaning services that can be tailored to your specific instrument. The manufacturer of your instrument can also give helpful tips on cleaning and servicing.

Tips to protect a piano from dirt

Once you’ve cleaned your piano, it’s a good idea to protect it from future contamination. Here are a few things you can do to keep it clean and shiny.

Always use a piano cover

Piano covers are a great way to prevent dust from getting onto the instrument’s surface. Covers can be expensive, but they’re worth the investment. Many of them are padded so they also protect against scratches and accidental bumps.

While it is common to see piano covers on grand pianos, they are also made for upright pianos.

Never leave the piano open

Leaving the piano open after practice is the main cause of dust. After playing, you should always close the lid to prevent the strings from collecting dust particles.

It’s also a smart idea to cover the keyboard cover to keep the keys from picking up dust, too. For added key protection, it’s helpful to get a dust cover like this one. They’re made of felt material, which is gentle on the keys and catches a lot of the dust.

related questions

How much does it cost to replace piano keys? Especially with very old pianos it may be necessary to replace the keys instead of cleaning them. A plastic piano lid costs about thirty dollars a set of 52.

Can I use Pledge to clean my piano? While Pledge is great for furniture, it’s not recommended for use on pianos. The chemicals actually damage the surface of the instrument. You should use Cory or Music Nomad Polish instead.

Use a vacuum to remove any accumulated dust from the hammers and dampeners. They can also suck around the tuning pegs.

The next step is where there will be the most variation between the pianos. A spinet piano can be sufficiently disassembled for thorough cleaning at this point, while an older studio piano may have several more steps to go. If you can vacuum the tops and between the keys, you’ve disassembled far enough. If not, you will have to remove other cabinet parts.

Some tall posts have a decorative column at each end. Remove the two large screws that attach these columns to the cabinet and set the columns aside.

The next part to remove is what I like to call the “threshold”. This is the horizontal panel just above the fallboard (the piece that covers the keys when the piano is not in use). This is also often secured with a large screw at each end. Remove the screws and remove the threshold.

Pledge is a common household furniture polish, so it’s reasonable to think that it might be useful for adding a shine to the finish of your wooden piano. After all, if it’s safe for other wooden furniture, why shouldn’t it be safe to use on a piano too?

It is unsafe to use Pledge on an upright piano as this polish can damage the piano’s wood and soften the overall finish over time. Piano strings should never be exposed to Pledge or other furniture cleaners as this can alter the piano’s sound.

If you can’t clean a piano with Pledge, what cleaning products can you use? Read on to learn more about why it’s not safe to use Pledge on your piano and for some tips on how to properly clean your piano.

Pledge should not be used on pianos

Pledge is a polish that is great for cleaning wooden furniture, but should not be used on pianos for a number of reasons. Here are some of the reasons pledges and pianos make a bad mix:

Most Pledge products are aerosol sprays. Aerosol sprays should never be used in or near your piano, as the spray can deposit on and damage the piano’s strings.

Aerosol sprays should never be used in or near your piano, as the spray can deposit on and damage the piano’s strings. Many Pledge products contain isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol can damage wood and, over time, erode a piano’s finish. For this reason, piano manufacturers advise against using furniture polish on pianos.

Isopropyl alcohol can damage wood and, over time, erode a piano’s finish. For this reason, piano manufacturers advise against using furniture polish on pianos. Pledge contains silicone that can make repairing a piano difficult. Silicone can permeate the piano’s surface and cause chemical incompatibilities during the repair process if the piano is ever refurbished.

Silicone can permeate the piano’s surface and cause chemical incompatibilities during the repair process if the piano is ever refurbished. Most Pledge products contain citrus oil as a fragrance and cleansing agent. Citrus oil should never be used to clean a piano. These cleaners are too harsh and can damage the piano keys.

While it’s tempting to use Pledge to dust a piano since it’s such a common household cleaner, it can harm your piano in the long run. It is better to stick to piano cleaning methods recommended by piano manufacturers and professional musicians. There are many cleaning products made specifically for pianos and these are safe to use.

How to polish a piano without a bond

You shouldn’t use Pledge to clean a piano, but that doesn’t mean you should skip polishing a piano altogether. Without regular maintenance, a piano will become greasy from fingerprints and may also accumulate dust and other environmental contaminants. Luckily for most piano surfaces, regular wiping down with a simple, dry cloth will do wonders to keep the piano dust-free.

Here’s how you can polish a piano without using Pledge:

Using a soft, damp (not wet) cloth, gently wipe the piano in the direction of the wood grain. Microfiber cleaning cloths are a good option as they won’t scratch the piano’s surface. Be sure to use fresh rags that have not been used on other items, as older rags can pick up dirt that can scratch the piano’s surface. In areas of the piano where detergent or dust has accumulated, applying a small amount of Windex or detergent soap directly to a damp cloth can help clean the area. It is important to use only a small, diluted amount of cleaner when using a cleaner that is not specifically made for pianos. If possible, follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Be sure to thoroughly dry any areas of the piano that were dusted with a damp cloth immediately after wiping. No moisture should remain on the surface of the piano. Pianos should be wiped down with a cloth after each use to delay more intensive cleaning later on.

How to disinfect a piano

Wiping down a piano with a damp cloth can fulfill most of its polishing needs without having to involve Pledge in the operation, but this does not clean the piano. In order to disinfect a piano and prevent the spread of communicable diseases, certain products must be used.

To clean the keys of a piano, piano technicians recommend hydrogen peroxide. This cleaning solution is a disinfectant and will not “wet” keys which can cause them to absorb moisture and become blocked. When piano keys are damaged by water, it can damage them. Replacing piano keys can be almost as expensive as the piano itself.

Cleaning the keys of a piano with peroxide is as simple as wiping down the keys and allowing the solution to sit on the keys for a few minutes and then wiping them off. Hydrogen peroxide does a good job of killing bacteria without introducing harsh solvents that can damage the piano’s wood or strings.

To disinfect a piano case, a small amount of dish soap on a damp cloth is recommended instead of hydrogen peroxide. As with any part of the piano, it is important to ensure it is dried immediately after cleaning to avoid water damage to the piano’s surface.

Products that are safe and unsafe for use on pianos

In addition to Pledge, some other types of cleaners are also not suitable for piano care. Below is a chart of safe versus unsafe detergents for cleaning pianos:

Safe piano cleaners Unsafe piano cleaners Windex Pledge and other furniture polishes Dishwashing liquid Bleach Hydrogen peroxide Machine dishwashing gel Commercial piano cleaners Spray cleaners for multiple surfaces

Using the right cleaners and polishes for your piano is not just about preserving the piano’s appearance. Using the wrong cleaning products can permanently damage the piano, even rendering it unusable without serious (and expensive) repairs. It is important to remember that a piano is not like other pieces of furniture and should not be treated as such. It’s a delicate instrument.

How to keep your piano clean

Regularly wiping down a piano after use can help keep it clean, but there are a few other things you can do to prevent your piano from getting dirty. Here are some ways to keep your piano looking good and smelling fresh:

Do not smoke near your piano. Cigarette smoke can lodge in and on an upright piano and make it smell musty. Nicotine can also stain white piano finishes over time.

Cigarette smoke can lodge in and on an upright piano and make it smell musty. Nicotine can also stain white piano finishes over time. Do not store drinks or food on your piano. The piano isn’t a coffee table, so it’s best not to treat it like that. Spilling a drink into a piano is the easiest way to destroy a piano’s delicate internal workings.

The piano isn’t a coffee table, so it’s best not to treat it like that. Spilling a drink into a piano is the easiest way to destroy a piano’s delicate internal workings. Protect your piano from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause a piano’s finish to crack and fade over time, so make sure your piano is in the shade. This keeps the surface in good condition for several years. All wooden pianos are susceptible to UV radiation.

Keeping a piano clean and tidy can go a long way in preserving its sound.

Pianos must be cleaned regularly (but not with a deposit)

While maintaining a piano is an important part of keeping it in good working order, pledging it is not the best way to manage it. The above cleaners should do a much better job of helping you keep your piano in tip-top shape without affecting the wood finish or beautiful tone.

Click here for more great tips and guides on how to take care of your piano.

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A piano tuner and technician at work

The piano requires various forms of maintenance in order to produce its best sound. Maintenance is also important for the appearance of the piano.

Support by technicians[edit]

Tuning [ edit ]

Pianos valued by their owners are tuned regularly, usually every six months for household pianos and always just before a performance in concert halls. The longer a piano remains out of tune, the more time and effort it takes for a technician to bring it back into pitch. When a piano is even slightly out of tune, it loses the luminous tonal quality that is characteristic of a freshly tuned piano, particularly because each middle and high range note is sounded by more than one string, and these can easily be detuned to one another. Pianos that are more than slightly out of tune tend to play and sound uncomfortable to an extent that varies with the listener’s ear. A tuning hammer and tuning mute are the piano technician’s most important tools. Some tuners use purely listening techniques, while others use electronic tuners. Formal trained and experienced tuners often find that the use of electronic tuners is unnecessary; Important elements associated with trained ear tuners are often left out by those who rely on electronic tuners. [citation needed] These devices often attract the untrained operator to circumvent the need for formal training, as is known to result. [citation required]

Pianos go out of tune mainly due to humidity fluctuations. Tuning can be made safer by installing special moisture control devices in or under the piano. There is no evidence that detuning permanently harms the piano itself. However, a long-term low or high humidity environment will eventually cause the soundboard to crack and the keys and other wooden parts to warp.

There is a growing number of musicians and composers who tune the piano to non-standard tunings to achieve different types of harmonies not possible with the standard 12-note equal temperament (usually found on the piano). Examples of such individuals include La Monte Young, Terry Riley, and Michael Harrison to name a few. Their tunings create never-before-heard combinations of intervals (some large and some “micro”) that lend themselves to many beautiful and exciting new harmonies, scales, and texture effects not possible with equal tuning. Of course, these tuning markers are limited by the internal structure of the instrument itself. You have to be very careful because the piano can only hold a limited amount of tension before it breaks.

voice [edit]

A piano tuner at work

Piano felt hammers tend to harden over time as repeated hits compress the felt. They also form grooves at the points of contact with the strings. Harder hammers produce a brighter tone quality that can ultimately become harsh and undesirable. Piano technicians can soften hammers with special tools called intonation needles. They also sometimes use special hardening agents if the hammers are too soft (although this practice is controversial among some technicians). In any case, an important goal is consistent tone quality across the entire piano, since the hammers are not used with equal frequency and therefore tend to wear unevenly. How much and how forcefully the piano is played is a factor in how often a piano is voiced, as is the piano’s setting and the preferences of its players.

Over time, the strings wear grooves in the surface of the hammers. The grooves eventually become deep enough and the head of the hammer flattened enough that voicing cannot restore the piano’s tone. At this point, a technician can file the hammers and restore them to their original ovoid shape and pristine finish, at the expense of downsizing. This process can be repeated several times until there is not enough felt left on the hammers for another filing and they need to be replaced.

Regulation [ edit ]

Over time, piano action performance degrades due to compression of felt, deformation of wood, and other types of wear and tear. A skilled technician can restore optimal precision in a process called regulation, which involves adjustments ranging from turning a small screw to sanding down a wooden surface. Many new pianos are not perfectly regulated when they leave the factory, or quickly lose regulation when brought to their new home and benefit from store or home regulation.

The goal of regulation is to make the touch and tone of the piano consistent across all notes, allow it to comfortably achieve the widest possible dynamic range, and make the keys respond to even the player’s quickest or most subtle movements.

There are many dozens of types of adjustments a piano may need. Some of the most important include the customization of:

Let-off, the point at which the hammer detaches from the pawl and flies free. If the let-off is too large, it can be very difficult to achieve pianissimo, perform fast trills, and play powerful fortes; If they are too small, the notes can get a “pinched” sound or even jam.

, the point at which the hammer detaches from the socket and flies free. If the let-off is too large, it can be very difficult to achieve pianissimo, perform fast trills, and play powerful fortes; If they are too small, the notes can get a “pinched” sound or even jam. Drop , how far the hammers fall back after hitting the target. This affects the responsiveness of the action.

, how far back the hammers fall after release. This affects the responsiveness of the action. Repetition springs in a grand piano that allow a hammer to strike repeatedly with minimal lifting of a key. A spring that is too springy can cause double impacts; if it’s not springy enough, it becomes difficult to repeat a note.

in a grand piano that allow a hammer to strike repeatedly with minimal lifting of a key. A spring that is too springy can cause double impacts; if it’s not springy enough, it becomes difficult to repeat a note. Key weights (and, in some actions, weight regulating springs) control the inertia of the keys. A technician can add, remove, or change lead weights in the keys to change how light or heavy the keys feel to the player.

Restoration and rebuilding[edit]

Pianos have a finite lifespan, usually measured in decades. However, different parts have different lifespans: for example, on a heavily used but well-maintained instrument (e.g. in a concert hall), the hammers may last less than five years, while the soundboard may last fifty years or more. Regular replacement of worn parts can therefore add decades to the life of a piano – even indefinitely, provided that the piano’s structural support (i.e. the frame) remains intact (and sometimes the frame can be repaired as well).

In very used pianos, the frame and some parts of the action can remain in good condition, and piano reconstructors are able to restore or rebuild an instrument by replacing many components. This includes strings, sound post, bridges, soundboard and ribs, hammers and mechanics. ‘Restoration’ implies more replacement work than mere ‘repair’ or ‘maintenance’, and ‘remodeling’ implies even more intensive work than restoration. However, there is no precise definition of these terms.

Recovery is labor intensive and therefore expensive; it is therefore generally only made if the original piano was of high quality or the instrument has historical or sentimental value.

Owner support[edit]

move piano [edit]

Moving a piano is a difficult process. There is a risk to the piano, a risk of injury to the person moving the piano and others, and a risk of property damage. Although moving a piano may seem like a simple process, there are hidden factors that complicate the process. Pianos are difficult to move and should only be moved by a professional who is thorough, properly trained, insured and has the right equipment.

An upright piano is the most popular and easier to move than a grand piano. It is moved by lifting the piano and sliding a piano transport trolley underneath or lifting the piano onto the trolley. The dolly has a sturdy frame to move and large rubber wheels so it moves easily and doesn’t scratch the floor. The piano is transported to its new location and removed from the transport cart. The piano should be boxed or protected with a suitable cover to avoid scratches or damage.

The wheels attached directly to the piano itself are rarely used for movement and are mainly for cosmetic effect. For a studio piano with larger dual wheels, it’s only designed for short movements. If you are moving a studio piano beyond the immediate area or by more than a few feet, a dolly should still be used.

A grand piano is moved by covering the piano, putting heavy-duty webbing on the ‘gliding board’, removing the pedal lyre (since it carries no weight), followed by the left leg, and carefully lowering the piano onto the straight side. The cover may protrude at the side so as not to stress it. The piano is covered, strapped in place, and the remaining two legs are removed. Extra care should be taken to ensure that the piano parts that can rub and scratch against each other need to be secured. The skid board with the piano is tilted and a piano trolley is slid under for transport to its new location, where the process is reversed. Unfortunately, not all luggage carriers will fit on the “skid board” in the early stages.

Contrary to popular legend, proper piano movement does not affect tuning [citation needed]. Mood is affected by changes in humidity. If a piano is properly covered during the move, it will not experience environmental changes such as B. the change from inside to outside and back inside. The piano could become out of tune when exposed to climate change such as B. when moving from a dry to a humid home.

humidity [edit]

A large part of a piano is made of wood and is therefore extremely sensitive to fluctuations in humidity. The piano’s wooden soundboard is designed to have an arch or crown. The crown increases or decreases with changes in humidity, changing the tension of the strings and detuning the instrument. Larger humidity fluctuations can affect the regulation and even lead to cracking of parts. When humidity levels are extreme, the soundboard can warp to the point where it collapses and loses its crown, which may require rebuilding or replacing the instrument.

Piano owners can prevent these problems by controlling humidity levels. Most engineers recommend keeping indoor relative humidity levels as constant as possible in the 30% to 50% range. Keep the piano away from vents, heaters, open windows, open doors, direct sunlight, and the kitchen to avoid damage, all of which are potential sources of sudden humidity changes. Despite these precautions, however, weather changes can affect indoor humidity levels. Ideally, a piano owner would use a hygrometer in conjunction with a humidifier and/or dehumidifier and/or air conditioning/evaporative cooler to keep the humidity level of the room the piano is in constant year-round. Baldwin Pianos, a major piano manufacturer, recommends running a small cold air humidifier for at least eight hours a day, preferably at night or early in the morning. While some technicians believe that running a heated humidifier can be more effective, particularly in cases of very dry climates, others believe it can lead to mold or mildew growth inside the crown. In cases where controlling room humidity is impractical, many piano technicians recommend an in-piano humidity control system.

pollutants [edit]

Pianos are easily damaged by liquids. Not only can spills damage the exterior finish, but if a spilled liquid gets inside the piano, it can cause costly damage to the action or the soundboard. Piano owners should protect their instruments by keeping liquids as far away from the instrument as possible. Dust between the keys can affect function but can be reduced by keeping the lid closed when the instrument is not in use. However, the lid should be opened occasionally to ensure proper air circulation and prevent mold growth. If something is spilled, you should act immediately by removing the keys, cleaning them in a degreasing solution and letting them dry. Disassembly and reassembly should be done carefully if performed by anyone other than a technician.

appearance [edit]

Pianos are fine pieces of furniture and in this role they benefit from careful cleaning and polishing to avoid liquids penetrating the interior of the piano. Many piano finishes remove dust with a feather duster or vacuum rather than with a cloth to minimize the abrasiveness of the dust. A piano technician should be consulted for recommendations on cleaning and polishing products suitable for a piano.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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When you think about a new piece of furniture for your home, the word “veneer” immediately makes you think of a cheaply made or inferior product. Real wood has a much better sound, so it must be better. Right?

Nothing is further from the truth. Commonly used in the finest furniture makers of the 19th and 20th centuries, veneer was actually more expensive and labor intensive than its real wood counterparts. Veneer is a thin slice of wood glued to a solid piece of wood, often attached in layers.

Veneer serves two purposes.

First, veneer is cut against the grain of the trunk, creating a detailed wood grain that is prevalent in found furniture. It is almost impossible to get a fancy band cut grain out of a solid piece of wood. By cutting against the grain, unique looks could be created to create truly exceptional works of art.

Second, veneer adds strength and durability to the piece.

On older pianos, the cases were made of solid wood such as oak or maple. Then two or three layers of veneer are glued over the wood, with the grain running in opposite directions. This prevented the wood from shrinking and warping under various environmental conditions and increased the strength of the case.

Almost all antique pianos are made with veneer. It is estimated that up to 95 percent of the antique piano supply is made of veneer.

If you’re considering used or antique pianos today, don’t be afraid of a veneer cabinet. Veneer adds to its classic good looks, building strength, durability and charm. Because of the process, love and care was put into each piece as it was joined.

Piano strings are made of steel. In contrast, the soundboard, which converts its energy into a rich, resonant sound, is made of wood. If it were just a matter of loudly amplifying the sound made when the hammers hit the strings, a metal plate would have been much more efficient. Why is the soundboard made of wood? The answer is that unlike metal, which boosts both low and high frequencies in the same way, wood only boosts the lower frequencies. At the higher frequencies it does the opposite: it cuts them off.

If you listen carefully and just focus on the sound of the strummed strings, you’ll find that it’s full of metallic clanking noises. If this sound were amplified unaltered, the piano would end up becoming a giant noise generator. The reason this doesn’t happen is because wood, the material that makes up the soundboard, cuts off the higher harmonic components (overtones), leaving only the musical components of the sound that sound good to our ears, and they converts to a richer, more resonant tone.

In other words, the soundboard is a “vibration transmitter” and at the same time in a sense a “vibration stopper”. What makes the spruce family, and in particular the Alaskan spruce (Sitka spruce), so prized as a soundboard material is that these species have the property of being better at absorbing the higher overtones. They only transmit in a rich way the sounds that we perceive as round and smooth.

Does your antique piano still have ivory keys? The trade in ivory is banned worldwide so you may be wondering if it is legal to own real ivory and what to do with it.

These are original real ivory key tops from an antique piano.

Piano companies no longer use ivory.

Genuine ivory keytops are inherently beautiful. They are usually made from the tusks of elephants or similar animals and filed into perfect rectangles for keycaps. The tusks themselves are made of keratin, the same material as hair and fingernails, so they are durable and unique, like a fingerprint. Ivory is also slightly textured, reducing slipping and sticking during play.

However, piano manufacturers such as Steinway stopped using ivory in 1956, and Asian and European brands stopped producing ivory keys in the mid-1980s.

Buying and selling ivory is illegal.

The ivory trade was banned in 1989 thanks to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Real ivory may not be sold, bought, given away, transported across national borders, or shipped out of the country. This applies to all ivory items – sculptures, ornaments, key overlays and even entire pianos with ivory keys.

This total ban works hard to reduce demand for ivory and help save endangered elephants so their population can return. Even black market demand was reduced after the ban, and since then the elephant population has more than doubled.

Owning ivory is legal.

Although you cannot buy, sell or trade ivory anywhere in the world (including on the internet), you may keep the ivory you already own.

If you already have ivory on your piano, enjoy! It’s okay to play ivory keys, clean them, take care of them, and even pass them on to your heirs. It’s better to enjoy the piece than to waste it.

Don’t worry about the legality of owning ivory antiques and heirlooms; it is the ivory trade that is illegal.

How to recognize real ivory.

Here are a few easy ways to tell if your ivory keytops are real or not.

Real ivory turns yellow. The most obvious difference is the color. Real ivory will yellow over time; The darker the yellow, the older the key. However, if your piano keys have been regularly cleaned and carefully polished over the years, you may not notice this yellowing. There is also some color variation between keys or even within the same key.

Real ivory has a seam. Old ivory keytops were always made in two parts: a larger rectangular tab at the front and a narrower section at the back. These parts are called the head and tail. Newer keytops are L-shaped, but the old ones were made in two segments and glued together.

Real ivory has a fine grain. Take a good look at your keycaps. Do you see a fine grain pattern? They are called Schreger lines and are unique like fingerprints. You can even use these lines to identify the animal species your keys come from!

Real ivory reacts to UV light. Use a UV or black light and you will see real ivory fluoresce, either bright white or bright purple-blue. Plastic, wood and ivory do not react.

Real ivory does not burn. We don’t recommend this technique as it will damage the key top, but you can use a red-hot needle to determine if your key is ivory or not. Touch the top of the key with the tip of the needle. If it melts or burns, it’s plastic… and probably needs replacing!

Note the fine grain, the stitching between sections, and the color variations between these keys.

Ivory keys are not valuable.

Since the trade in ivory is completely banned worldwide, the key buttons are worthless. But even if it were legal, remember that only a thin veneer on the top of the key is ivory. The entire key is not solid ivory. This thin veneer can chip, crack, and peel (remember, it’s made of the same material as fingernails, so it’s subject to the same type of damage). This thin disk is so little material that even ivory artists would probably not be able to work with it.

Chances are your keycaps are chipped, discolored, or missing entirely like this one. Note the exposed wood and cement wafers where the ivory part is missing.

However, you can replace missing key covers with real ivory.

I am able to reattach ivory keycaps that have fallen off. Store any fallen fragments or salvaged ivory.

If you prefer modern, cruelty-free replacements, I offer imitation ivory key heads, tips and even seamless key covers. These replacement parts can be shaped, color matched and filed to look exactly like the original. It also has a fine grit that provides that signature ivory texture and feel.

Donate unwanted ivory to your piano technician.

The most respectful thing you can do with unwanted ivory is donate it. Don’t throw it in the trash. Instead, contact me for careful removal and replacement. I can use reclaimed ivory to repair and refurbish antiques. By donating your unwanted keycaps, you can help save elephants and ensure their precious ivory is not wasted!

Servicing your Kawai piano

Cleaning:

Kawai pianos come with a variety of finishes, from delicate hand-rubbed lacquer to beautiful high-gloss polyester resin. The maintenance of these different surfaces is essentially the same. The beauty of the instrument can be maintained with the following guidelines:

Dust should be removed with a soft feather or wool duster. Be careful not to apply pressure to the surface or drag the dust across the surface, which may result in fine scratches on the surface. These fine scratches eventually make a high-gloss instrument look dull. Being very careful with regular dusting is the most important step in preserving the shine in a polished polyester finish.

Fingerprints or similar traces can be removed with a damp, soft cloth and then with a dry cloth. For stubborn greasy stains, using a small amount of mild detergent (e.g. mild dish washing liquid) on the damp cloth can help, as can a good quality spray window cleaner like Windex™.

In general, furniture polishes are not recommended, with the exception of specialty polishes for high gloss finishes. One such polish is “Cory” Polish, available from Kawai America, your Authorized Kawai Piano Dealer, and many piano technicians.

When a high gloss finish becomes dull or has deep scratches, a polyester repair specialist can usually restore the finish to its original condition. Contact your local Kawai retailer to find out who may offer this service in your area.

The interior of the piano should be cleaned regularly by a qualified piano technician. Improper cleaning of the plate, strings, soundboard and mechanics can damage the piano. We recommend leaving this to a trained technician.

Tuning and Servicing:

All pianos need regular tuning. The length of time between tunings of a good piano depends on many factors, most notably the stability of temperature and humidity and how often the piano is used. In general, Kawai recommends 2 to 4 tunings per year. However, your piano technician can best recommend the appropriate interval for your specific environment and use.

Pianos also need to be maintained in ways other than simply tuning them. Mechanics and hammers are subject to wear and tear through use. Regular voicing and regulation will keep the piano sounding its best throughout the life of the instrument. In general, if your piano’s touch or tone seems uneven or difficult to control, or if the notes are not repeating well, you should speak to your technician about the need for regulation and intonation.

If you need a piano technician, Kawai America recommends that you first contact a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) who is a member of the Piano Technicians Guild. Although some qualified technicians are not members of this organization, those who are RPT members have demonstrated proficiency in piano tuning and maintenance, and have continuing education resources that keep their knowledge and skills current.

Want to make sure you know how to clean a piano properly? Check out these quick tips from Tali H, a teacher from Olympia, WA…

How do you clean a piano?

When it comes to cleaning a piano, there are a few simple things to know about do’s and don’ts. While these tips are relatively simple, it’s important to follow each one!

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How to Clean a Piano: The Do’s

Wash your hands before playing. Most dirt on piano keys comes from the player’s hands. So be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before playing the piano.

Pull the piano cover down over the keys when you’re done. This will prevent the keys from being exposed to the occasional mishap such as spilled drinks, food, etc.

Wipe clean often. Despite preventive measures, your piano will inevitably get dirty. Clean it regularly with a piano cleaner like this one. You can also wipe it down with a feather duster, a slightly damp flannel cloth, or cheesecloth.

Use clear, filtered water. Plain old filtered water is best to prevent damage to your piano.

Determine what the keys are made of. To know how to properly clean piano keys, you need to know what they are made of (usually plastic, ebony, or irony). Use a little milk on a cloth to clean ivory keys, a gentle toothpaste on ebony keys or vinegar mixed with warm water can clean plastic keys.

You may also be interested in: No more sticky piano keys! | How to clean piano keys

How to Clean a Piano: The Don’ts

Do not use a rough or dry cloth. As mentioned, use a slightly damp cloth. This will clean the piano without scratching it.

Don’t clean the inside yourself. You only need to clean the inside of a piano every 5-10 years. When it’s time to do it, make sure it’s done right by contacting a professional (and reputable) piano cleaner in your area.

Don’t delete all the keys at once. Avoid getting wet between the keys by swiping up and down on each key individually. And a slightly damp cloth also ensures that no water penetrates into the cracks. If necessary, use a dry cloth to blot the wet keys.

Remember that the best way to keep a piano clean is to take preventive measures. So wash your hands before playing and keep the keys under the cover. Use these strategies for cleaning a piano to ensure years of quality music-making!

Would you like to work on other piano skills? Consider collaborating with a private piano teacher at TakeLessons!

Tali H. teaches and teaches piano in Olympia, WA as well as through online classes. Since 2010, she has worked with numerous elementary, middle, high and high school students in both group and individual classes. Learn more about Tali here!

Photo by Samantha Celera