10 Tips to Keep Your Piano Beautiful
1925 Steinway Model L
- Dust your piano regularly. Nothing will preserve your piano’s beauty more than the use of a simple hand duster.
- Keep the piano’s lid closed when you’re not using the piano. This will prevent dust from settling inside.
- Place your piano away from windows and direct sunlight. Over time, sunlight will fade the finish.
- Place your piano away from any heaters. Again, a direct heat source reduces the longevity of your piano and causes it to go out of tune prematurely.
- If the keys get dirty, clean them with a damp cloth, wiping them quickly. Never apply any liquid directly to the keys. Just moisten the cloth with water.
- When entertaining guests, keep the piano lid open to prevent people from putting things on it. Warm or damp dishes can easily leave rings that are removable only by refinishing.
- Keep the humidity between forty and fifty percent in the piano’s room. Nothing will make a piano go out of tune faster than the fluctuation of humidity.
- Tune your piano regularly. Ideally, twice a year. When you turn the heat on and then off for the season, the piano will lose its tune. This is a good time to schedule your regular tunings. Tuning is particularly needed with newly restored pianos since these will have a “settling-in” period.
- Be careful what items you place on your piano, and particularly avoid plants. You could use an attractive fabric as a cover or runner between these objects and the piano. But really, shouldn’t your piano be seen rather than covered? Besides, stuff on the lid will discourage you from opening it, and the piano sounds best when the lid is open.
- Even with great care, age will inevitably show on a piano. If your piano looks worn or sounds tired give us a call. We love these pianos, and we’re happy toconsult with you on restoring your piano’s potential.