Internal Cleaning

Before

After

Cleanliness of the piano's inner workings is important as it ensures & protects the sound quality of the instrument. Piano's tend to accumulate dust, residue, dirt, & other debris overtime and can negatively affect overall functionality. A proper internal cleaning can:

  • Regular care stops premature wear & tear, keeping your piano valuable & playable for many more years.

  • Heavy dust on the soundboard, strings, & action can muffle the rich tone of the instrument by dampening the vibrations & making the piano sound dull or muted.

  • Fine particles & dust get trapped under the keys & inside the intricate mechanical action, causing sticky, stiff, or unresponsive keys.

  • Dust can hold moisture against the metal strings & tuning pins, leading to rust, corrosion, & potential string breakage.

  • Accumulated dust, dirt, & debris in dark interior spaces can attract pests like mice or moths that chew on the felt & wood components.

External Cleaning & Polish

All service appointments include an external cleaning free of charge. I do this with a damp cloth and/or with products that are safe to use on ivory, wood, & plastic. A piano finish is best maintained by keeping it clean & avoiding exposure to direct sunlight, extremes of temperature & humidity, & abrasion.

Please note the following if you would like to clean your piano between service appointments:

  1. To maintain the piano's finish, you may wipe the case with a damp cotton cloth to remove fingerprints, or polish with a reliable emulsion-type, water-based solution following the manufacturer's instructions.

  2. To avoid scratching, always remove dust first with a damp cloth or feather duster before wiping with a dry cloth.

  3. Damp & dry cloths should be soft cotton such as flannel, because coarse or synthetic fabrics can scratch some finishes.

  4. To remove smudges & fingerprints, first dust using the damp/dry cloths as above. If heavier cleaning is necessary, dampen your cloth with a small amount of mild soap solution. A common product is Murphy's Oil Soap, available at most grocery & hardware stores.

  5. Avoid aerosol spray polishes that contain silicone.

  6. Products such as "lemon oil" or "furniture polish" should be avoided. Despite the labels' claims that they "protect" the finish or "feed" the wood, they offer no protection from scratching and can soften the finish if over-used.

For more information about piano care, please visit here.

To purchase piano-safe cleaning products, follow here.