How To Clean Piano? [6 Easy Steps To Follow]

Cleaning a piano is essential to every pianist or aspiring pianist. It should never be an afterthought but a part of a pianist’s schedule and lifestyle. Consistently cleaning a piano has many benefits and positives that you cannot put aside.

To keep a durable, long-lasting, and in-tune piano, you must clean it regularly. And performing this cleaning will save you time and money, so you won’t have to spend money hiring a professional piano cleaner for the job. 

And if you are a person that loves to pay attention to details, cleaning your piano yourself will let you pay attention to every tiny detail on your piano. 

But, unfortunately, you may not know how to go about cleaning your piano properly.

The truth is cleaning a piano requires a level of technical know-how, and it’s not just a simple DIY type of exercise. Fortunately, there are a few tips to know that will elevate you from a newbie piano cleaner to an expert piano cleaner. 

This guide will detail a step-by-step procedure for properly cleaning your piano. All you need to do is correctly follow the steps.

Tools You Need To Clean Your Piano

1. Duster
2. Clean water
3. Dry cloth
4. Wipes
5. Hydrogen peroxide
6. Alcohol-based disinfectant
7. Piano frame polish

6 Easy Steps To Properly Clean your Piano

Step 1: Dust The Keys 

The first step in properly cleaning your piano is to dust the keys.

It’s important to start with this because it will help you keep track of how much dust you’ve collected, and it can be a little daunting if you don’t know how much dirt you’re dealing with.

Also, if you own pets or have kids who love to climb on your piano, they might have left behind some fur or crumbs that need to be cleaned up before you can start.

A duster will work well for this task—you just need one that’s soft enough not to scratch the finish on your piano (like a microfiber cloth).

Step 2: Determine The Materials That Your Piano Key is Made From

Now that you have dusted your piano, it’s time to figure out what material your keys are made from. This step is important because it will determine how you clean the keys.

If your piano is acoustic, then it’s likely that your keys are made from a combination of wood, ivory, or plastic. However, if your piano is digital or electric, then it’s more likely that your keys are made from plastic or some synthetic material.

When you doubt the type of material your piano has, you can always call the manufacturer and ask them directly.

Step 3: Clean The Keys

Depending on the material your keys are made from, you’ll need to clean them differently. For example, if your piano keys are made from plastic or wood, you should use a moist cloth to wipe away any dust and dirt on the surface.

Suppose your piano keys are made from ivory or ebony. In that case, it’s best to avoid using water because this material is sensitive to moisture and could break down over time. Instead, use a dry cloth or fabric to gently wipe away any dirt or dust particles that may be present.

Step 4: Disinfect The Keys

After your piano is completely dry, the next step is to disinfect the keys. Always use an alcohol-based disinfectant when cleaning your piano keys. Never use bleach-based disinfectant as it could damage the piano’s wood and finish.

It is also important to know that over-the-counter hydrogen peroxide can be used for this step, but do not use any other form of peroxide (such as hair dye developer), as it will cause discoloration on your piano’s keys.

– Clean The Piano Frame

The frame of your piano is the next important part to clean. If it is too dirty, it can cause problems with the sound and keys of your piano. To clean this, you should use a damp cloth or soft brush and wipe down the entire frame of your piano. Again, make sure you are gentle when doing so to avoid scratching it.

Steps 5: Polish the Piano Frame

The last step to cleaning your piano is to polish its frame. This step is important because it will eliminate any streaks or smudges the previous three steps may have left behind.

Polishing a piano is easier than you might think! All you need is a can of piano polish, some paper towels, and a soft cloth.

Before polishing, ensure all the dust has been removed from your piano. That will help prevent any streaks from forming as you buff out the polish.

Afterward, use a dry paper towel to wipe away any excess polish that may have gotten on surrounding surfaces or furniture pieces such as chairs, tables, or shelves (make sure none of these items are made from wood).

Finally, use a clean, soft cloth or fabric to buff out any remaining streaks or smudges until they disappear completely (this may require several passes).

Note: Don’t use furniture polish or any other type of polish on your piano frame. The chemicals in these products can damage the finish on your piano and cause it to look dull or yellow over time.

Step 6: Clean The Piano Soundboard (For Experts only)

This step is for the experts, so if you’re new to piano cleaning, don’t try this step until you’ve gotten more practice with all the other steps.

The soundboard is important because they help transmit the sound from your piano to the air. However, if the soundboard is not cleaned regularly, it can become covered in dust and dirt. That will affect how your piano sounds and how much money you spend on repairs down the line.

If you’re a newbie and aren’t sure what to do, we suggest hiring a professional to complete this step.

Tips For Keeping Your Piano Clean

There’s no need to fear your piano keys! Your piano is a musical instrument, and you’ll want to keep it nice and clean so that you can make beautiful music.

Here are some undemanding tips for keeping your piano clean:

1. Always wash your hands before playing the Piano
2. Always cover the lids when you are done playing
3. Clean the keys often 
4. Always clean the keys with clean water
5. Always use Alcohol-based disinfectant
6. Never use rough cloth
7. Clean according to your type of keys material
8. Always hire a professional to clean the inside of your Piano

Benefits of Cleaning Your Piano

Regularly cleaning your piano is important for several reasons:

1. It keeps your Piano in good shape
2. It keeps your Piano in tune
3. It makes the job easier for your Piano Tuner
4. It sustains your Piano’s lifespan
5. It protects your investment

Final Thoughts 

We hope this guide on how to clean your piano can be useful to you. Always remember to exercise caution when handling any part of the piano (including damping knobs, soundboard, etc.), as they all contain sensitive parts and can easily break. 

Remember to consult your owner’s manual, as the manufacturer may provide more detailed instructions. However, if you follow these steps and recommendations, then you should have little to worry about when considering how to clean your piano.