Piano care is relatively simple. Following are the basics you need to know.
- Protect the piano from sources of heat. This includes heat registers, sunlight, stoves, etc… Remember that pianos are made of three primary materials – wood, metal and glue. Wood and metal expand and contract in response to significant temperature changes. Glues are less of an issue but some, especially “hide” glue commonly used in older pianos, actually soften under high temperatures.
- Avoid high humidity and extreme dryness. High humidity can cause a piano’s action to perform sluggishly as cloth bushings swell and bind against the metal pins embedded in them. Also, condensation can cause strings and tuning pins to corrode. Extreme dryness can cause wood to shrink in width and thickness and lead to failing glue joints.
- Keep the piano dusted with a lightly damp, soft cloth. Some finishes, especially high gloss finishes, can be scratch by dry cloths. If you grand’s sound board needs cleaning, your technician has the proper tools to clean under the strings. Dust and dirt can, eventually, become imprinted on a finish so that it can not be cleaned by normal means. Periodic dusting helps to prevent this. Be careful about using furniture polishes. Avoid polishes that contain silicone. These can wreak havoc during refinishing if this is ever needed. By and large, you would do well to just stick to a lightly damp cloth.
- Even if you don’t play regularly, run up and down the keyboard periodically. Mechanisms work best when they are exercised. And playing the piano discourages mice from making nests under the keys.
- Have your piano tuned so that you can enjoy it. Tuning helps you to get the most out of your instrument’s potential. It also allows a good technician to advise you of potential problems before they become serious. For most customers, annual tunings are adequate. More often may be warranted if the piano is played regularly or seriously.
- For more information, visit the PTG (Piano Technicians Guild) website. On the home page, look for “Piano Info & Resources”.