How to Clean Piano Keys
If you have a piano with stained or dirty keys, you can clean them yourself without the expense of a professional. Follow these steps.
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Instructions
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Clean ivory piano keys regularly by gently wiping them with a soft clean cloth. Occasionally wipe them with a weak solution of vinegar and warm water. If you start this practice with a new piano and always wash your hands before playing it, this should be all you need to do to keep the keys from getting dirty.
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Squeeze a small amount of a mild non-colored toothpaste onto a damp lint free cloth, and gently rub the piano keys if they have light stains or dirty fingerprints on them.
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After gently rubbing in the toothpaste, wipe the keys clean with a second lint free cloth that has been dipped in fresh milk. Use the milk to rinse the toothpaste off the keys without using any harmful chemicals that discolor the ivory.
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Give the piano keys a few minutes to air dry, and then buff them with a clean lint free cloth.
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Keep the piano closed to protect the keys from dust and dirt. However it's a good idea to open it occasionally on sunny days; the light will help the keys stay bleached and prevent yellowing.
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Tips & Warnings
If keys are badly discolored or stained, they may need to be scraped and recovered by a professional.
Never use chemicals of any kind on ivory piano keys. Chemicals can act like abrasives and scratch or discolor the delicate surfaces.
Never use a brush or scouring pad on keys. The scratches on the delicate ivory will look worse than the dirt you are removing.
When using a damp cloth, be careful it is not so saturated that water will drip down the sides of the keys. Dampness in the keyboard can cause swelling which will affect play.
