How To Clean Steinway Grand Piano Keys Like A Pro

How To Clean Steinway Grand Piano Keys Like A Pro
Whether you are a professional pianist or learning piano, it’s cringy to feel the dust on its keys. However, cleaning a piano can be a daunting task due to the tiny gaps between the notes. Furthermore, selecting the most appropriate cleaning method for a Steinway grand piano is a tricky chore.
 
For your convenience, we have compiled a comprehensive cleaning guide. Just take 10 minutes from your hectic routine and learn the steps and techniques for cleaning your piano. For a professional cleaning experience, visit Steinway grand piano.

The Best Way To Clean Steinway Grand Piano Keys

 
There are many ways by which you can safely clean your piano keys. However, it is best to choose the cleaning method according to the material or finish of your instrument.
 
 
According To The Finish
 
The two standard finishes of Steinway Grand Piano include polyester and lacquer.
The polyester finish gives your instruments a glossy sheen and makes them resistant to scratch. Contrary to this, the lacquer finish is a shiny, sturdy, and durable finish for metal or wood pianos. Nonetheless, cleaning them often can help extend their durability.
 
1. Polyester Finish
 
If your piano has a polyester finish, use isopropyl alcohol, also called rubbing alcohol. Take a microfiber cleaning cloth and soak it in isopropyl alcohol. Clean the surface of the piano with this cloth. Then, again take a piece of microfiber cleaning cloth and dry it thoroughly.
 
2. Lacquer Finish
 
The simple method to clean a wooden piano involves using mild soapy water. Make this solution by adding 2-3 drops of mild liquid soap to lukewarm water and stirring. Take a soft fabric or microfiber cleaning cloth and dip it in soapy water. Wring the fabric a bit and wipe all the surfaces of the piano. Then, repeat the same process using only plain water to remove the soapy foam. Immediately dry the moisture with a dry and soft cloth.
 
Note: Always wipe lacquer-finished surfaces in the direction of the wood grain.
 

General Cleaning Method For Any Finish

 
The general cleaning method involves using a bleach solution. It will not only clean the surface but will also disinfect it at the same time. For this purpose, add four teaspoons of bleach to a quart of water equivalent to 0.9 liters in the United States. Take a soft fabric or microfiber cleaning cloth, dip it in the solution, and wipe all the piano surfaces. Then, again wipe it off with a cloth soaked in plain water. Finally, dry it thoroughly using a soft fabric.
 
 
 

Steps To Clean Steinway Grand Piano Keys

 
Step#1 Dry Clean
First of all, take a soft fabric and dust off all the debris from your piano. The reason is that using cleaning liquid directly can result in muddy patches on your piano keys.
 
Step #2 Wet Clean
The next step is to use an accurate cleaning agent on your piano keys. If you use very liquidy cleaners on ivory keys, the keys may wear out faster. Therefore, it is always best to use a damp cloth soaked in a particular solution and wrung well. Since plastics are resistant to acidic solutions, you can clean them properly with diluted white vinegar or lemon juice.
 
Step #3 Remove All Discolorations
Restoring the bright white color of piano keys is quite a difficult task, and the results are also not 100 percent. A simple hack says to use toothpaste on ivory keys to get the white color back. Anyhow, you can get professional services to remove the discoloration of your piano keys. One precaution is to use a soft white cloth anytime you clean your piano. It’s because a dyed fabric can leave color stains on white notes.
 
 
 

Guidelines For The Best Cleaning Experience

 
What To Do?
  • Always dust off the keys before you damp clean them.
  • Always use a damp cloth soaked in cleaning liquid rather than a wet one.
  • Wipe the keys in a backward to forward motion to dust off debris.
  • Use a cleaning solution according to the material of your piano.
 
What Not To Do?
  • Do not apply any acidic and alcoholic cleaning solution directly on the piano keys.
  • Do not wipe the keys in a sideways motion or front to back.
  • Do not use a wet cloth on ivory keys.
  • Do not use a stiff bristle brush or scouring pad to scrub keys.
 
 
 

FAQs

 
 
You can use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect your piano keys. Hydrogen peroxide is readily available from any drugstore or chemist shop. Soak a cotton pad in this liquid and disinfect your piano keys going backward to forward. Moreover, you can prefer alcohol-based disinfecting products rather than the ones containing bleach or citrus. It is best to dilute disinfecting liquids before use. If, however, you are using bleach, do not directly apply it to the surface. Use soft fabric or microfiber cleaning cloth for that purpose.
 
 

Where Should You Place Your Piano?

 
You can keep your piano in an environment that is warm, humid, and well-lit.
The best conditions are humidity in the range of 45 to 70% and at a constant temperature of 20 Degrees.
Author: Zahid Adnan

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