Maintaining your piano's condition is important if you want to keep its sound quality and value high. Whether you’re self-taught or have spent years learning through in-person or online piano lessons, you’re likely passionate about playing the piano so why not also keep it in the best condition possible?
Luckily, it's not difficult to keep your piano in good condition with just a little bit of effort. In this article, we'll provide some tips on how to care for your piano and keep its sound and condition in tip-top shape.
Keep Your Piano Somewhere With a Consistent Temperature and Humidity Level
A piano’s wood and metal components are sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, It’s particularly important to keep your piano in a place with a consistent temperature and humidity level to avoid the piano’s soundboard changing in size, thus causing the piano to go out of tune.
A room that is too hot or too cold can cause the piano to warp or can cause the glue that holds the piano together to weaken, potentially leading to serious damage.
By keeping your piano in a stable environment with a 50% humidity level and around a 70-degree Fahrenheit temperature, you can help ensure that it stays in good condition for years to come.
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Get Your Piano Tuned at Least Once a Year by a Professional
As any piano owner knows, a piano is a sizable investment. One of the most important things you can do for your piano is to have it tuned by a professional at least once a year.
Over time, the strings of a piano will stretch and loosen, causing the pitch to become slightly off. This may not be noticeable to the untrained ear, but it can make a big difference in how the piano sounds.
A professional tuner will be able to quickly and easily identify any notes that are out of tune and make the necessary adjustments. As a result, your piano will be in tune and sounding its best.
Wipe Down the Exterior of Your Piano With a Soft Cloth Regularly
Not only are pianos sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, but they are also susceptible to dirt and grime. For this reason, it is important to wipe down the exterior of your piano with a soft cloth on a regular basis.
Dust, dirt, and grime can accumulate in the nooks and crannies of the instrument, eventually making their way into the interior components.
By taking a few minutes to wipe down your piano on a weekly basis, you can help keep it in good condition.
Never Use Harsh Chemicals or Cleaners on Your Piano
Many people don't realize how delicate pianos are and use harsh chemicals or cleaners on them, damaging the finish and potentially affecting the sound quality.
Instead of using harsh chemicals, it's best to use a soft cloth with mild soap and water to clean up any spills, dirt, or grime.
Never use wax or polish on your piano, as this can dull the finish and make it difficult for the keys to move smoothly.
Clean the Piano Keys
Over time, the keys of your piano can become covered in dust, finger oils, and grime which can affect both the appearance and feel of your piano keys.
To ensure your piano’s keys both look and feel their best, regularly clean them with a soft cloth and mild soap and water. Clean them using a front-to-back motion instead of side-to-side in order to reduce any water collecting between the keys.
Once you've cleaned all of the keys, use a dry cloth to buff them until they shine.
Avoid Touching The Strings and Periodically Check Them For Rust
Although some beginner pianists may find it tempting to touch the piano strings it’s one of the worst things you can do. The oil on our fingers transfers to the strings and will eventually cause rust and corrosion, leading to a weaker string and possibly causing a break.
String breakage can cause damage to the piano and may lead to costly repairs. Checking the strings periodically helps to identify any potential problems early on - before they cause significant damage.
If you notice rust starting to form on your piano strings you can clean them to help remove some of that rust and reduce further damage. Cleaning the strings removes dirt and debris that can build up over time, eventually causing the strings to snap.
In addition, cleaning the strings ensures that they will continue to produce a clear, beautiful sound. Periodically checking the condition of your piano strings is thus an essential part of owning a piano.
Here’s a video below of a quick demonstration of how to clean your piano strings.
How to Clean Rusty Piano Strings
Don’t Move the Piano Yourself – Hire a Professional
As anyone who has ever tried to move a piano knows, it is not a simple task. Pianos are large, heavy, and unwieldy, and they require special care and handling in order to avoid damage.
Attempting to move a piano without the proper equipment and expertise is likely to result in scratches, dents, or even serious injuries. That’s why it’s always best to hire a professional piano moving service when you need to transport your instrument.
Piano movers have the training and experience necessary to safely move pianos of all sizes, and they will take all the necessary precautions to protect your investment.
In addition, most piano moving services offer insurance in case of any damages that may occur during the move. So when it comes time to move your piano, don’t take risks – hire a professional.
Conclusion
You may not be able to prevent every issue that can occur with your piano, but if you take care of it and follow some simple maintenance tips on a regular basis, you can help ensure its sound and condition remain as good as possible for years to come.
Piano upkeep is definitely worth the time and effort so if you have a piano, make sure to take care of it!
About the author: Cody is the founder of Musician Tuts, a free tutorial hub for musicians. He has over 15 years of experience playing a variety of instruments and dabbling in audio engineering. He spends his days blogging, listening to Spotify, and playing music.
