Dial-a-Maid
Good care of pianos is essential to preserve their sound and finish, says a 40+ year old Residential Cleaning Service in Evanston, Il. Older pianos are covered with a variety of finishes, including shellac and varnish. Newer pianos, usually are covered with a nitrocellulose lacquer, which gives a satin finish. When cleaning, it's important to follow the grain on this type of finish, says Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook. A piano with a very shiny finish may be covered with a polyester, Chinese lacquer finish, which scratches very easily. Regardless of the finish, dust the piano weekly to remove fingerprints by using a lightly dampened, lint-free cotton cloth. If you think it needs something stronger than water, moisten the cloth with a mixture of water and mild dishwashing liquid: wipe afterward with a dampened cloth to remove any residue and polish dry with a clean cloth.
Use a professional piano restorer to buff out any scratches, whatever the finish.
Piano keys, usually just require routine dusting and the occasional wipe with a damp, soft cloth. If the keys are especially dirty, add a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid to the cloth. Do not spray water or cleaner directly onto the keys: any liquid that runs down between them can damage the instrument. You may not want to clean your keys too often. Many Pianists find very clean piano keys too slippery, and therefore, difficult to play.
Use a can of compressed air to clean between keys, or use a soft-bristled paint brush.
A piano tuner can also care for the pianos interior. Schedule its maintenance at the same time as your bi-yearly tuning.If you do not, you run the risk of damaging the core of the instrument.
Never wax a piano. Avoid putting anything on the piano's lid, such as picture frames or other decorative objects. Besides the possibility of scratching or damaging the finish, the objects can alter the sound.
A Piano is meant to be passed down from generation to generation. Follow the above suggestions in order to preserve your piano, says a 40+ year old Residential Cleaning Service in Evanston, Il.
