Caring for a Piano - From the Moment of Purchase
If you have a piano, you've probably made it the centerpiece of
a particular room. There's no doubt that pianos are a beautiful
piece of furniture and can be a wonderful addition to your home.
But where should you put it? And how do you care for it? These
are questions you may not have considered until the delivery van
is in the driveway or the first layer of dust has accumulated.
Take some tips from the pros.
One of the first things to consider is that your piano is
probably going to have to stay where you put it for some time.
Unless this is a compact model, moving it from one side of the
room to another is going to be a major undertaking. Even with
wheels, you're likely to damage flooring.
Get the exact measurements of your piano before it arrives and
take careful stock of your room. Clear the spot you want the
piano, then mark off the space the piano will take up. Is there
comfortable room for someone to be seated on the bench to play?
Making a paper or computer outline of your room and placing your
furniture in the model is a good idea if you have the time and
patience for this kind of undertaking.
If you have central heat, be sure your piano isn't going to be
blocking a vent. Not only will it knock down on the distribution
of heat, but the direct stream of air isn't good for the piano.
Be sure there's a light source for the pianist, but you also
shouldn't put the piano in direct sunlight.
Remember that little critters may very well take up residence in
a piano, especially one that's not used often. With that in
mind, it's probably a good idea to keep a grip on mice and bug
infestations. If you have a piano in storage, be sure the area
is "vermin free."
Cleaning a piano is not a tremendously difficult chore if you
start with a few simple rules. Never play with dirty hands. It's
especially important to enforce this rule if you have children
in the house who take lessons or simply can't resist touching
the piano. Keeping the cover closed is a good start, but kids
tend to be fascinated by the instrument and dirty hands can
cause some serious cleaning issues.
If keys do get sticky, a slightly damp, soft cloth is probably
your best bet. Be sure the cloth isn't wet enough to drip. Wipe
the top of the keys first, then depress each key to clean the
sides of the keys beside it. Remember that grime on the sides of
the keys can cause the keys to stick. Avoid harsh cleaners and
keep in mind that many household cleaners will leave a sticky
residue. For tough stains, try a bit of lemon or alcohol on your
cleaning cloth.
As for the case, it all depends on the material. It's best to
follow manufacturer's suggestions, A general rule of thumb is to
clean a wood case as you would any other wood, but be careful
that you don't allow any cleaner or water to drip through cracks
and crevices in the case.