How to Clean Antique Ivory Piano Keys

Keep your ivories tidy to avoid yellowing.

Both beautiful and useful, the piano is an ideal addition to any home. What other piece of furniture can serve so well as an art piece and as a center for entertainment? Indeed, it provides hours of use, and becomes like another member of the family. Still, like a member of the family, the piano's keys will age. Fortunately, you can keep the yellowing of ivory keys to a minimum.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton gloves
• Two washcloths
• Ivory cleaner (or dishwashing soap or lemon juice)
• Ivory scraper (or #0000 steel wool)
• Vinegar

Instructions

1. Assess the damage. Are your keys yellowed from years of inadequate maintenance, or are they just a little bit dusty? Know what you want to do.

2. Put on your cotton gloves. The oils from your hands could stain the ivory.

3. Clean your keys lightly. Before you even try to go for a deep clean, it's best to start with a light clean. Rinse one washcloth under water, and then wring it out. Add a spot of cleaner to it (key cleaner such as Cory Keybrite works best, but lemon juice or dish soap will do in a pinch). Next, firmly rub each key individually until the dirt is gone. Follow up by polishing the keys with your dry washcloth.

4. Clean deeper. An ivory scraper is the best tool for the job, although a fine steel wool will work without too much abrasion. Rub the keys gently. When finished, wipe and polish the keys with your dry cloth.

5. Whiten the keys. Pour your vinegar on your dry cloth, and start rubbing the keys that are still yellow. The yellow won't immediately come off, but it will if you routinely clean them.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have deep discoloration or stains, call a professional.

• To keep keys from yellowing, give them a little sunlight.

• An ivory scraper really is the best tool for deep cleaning.

• Avoid solvents as cleaning products for ivory keys; they will dissolve the keys.

References

• Piano Keys
• How should I take care of my piano