How to Polish Organ Keys
Organ keys, depending upon the material used for their construction, may be difficult to clean and polish, or quite easy. In general, organ keys that are constructed of plastic can be cleaned and polished using a clean rag and a small amount of water. Older ivory keys, however, may require significantly more care not only to polish them, but to keep them in a polished, attractive condition. Ivory keys that are very old and have begun to crack or peel require the attention of a professional piano restorer. Mild yellowing, however, can be attended to by a novice. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Add a drop of water to one of the clean cotton rags and wipe off any excess grime or dust that has accumulated on the organ keys. Avoid using too much water to prevent the water from touching the wood beneath the keys' white surface. For plastic keys, this is the only step you need to take.
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Place a very small dab of toothpaste on the whetted rag, and clean the keys beginning from the far left or right of the keyboard. Work on only one key at a time, being careful to avoid allowing the toothpaste to touch the wood of the key beside the key you are polishing. Wipe off the excess toothpaste from each key when you have finished cleaning it.
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Moisten a clean rag with whole milk. Because ivory is essentially similar but much denser than bone, being made of dentin, a natural substance, the calcium in the milk will help to prevent damage to the keys and will polish the dentin at the same time. The milk must be wiped away as soon as it is applied, however, to prevent damage to the keys.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep the keyboard cover of your organ closed to prevent dust from accumulating. Also, it is a good idea to wash your hands before you play or to even wear cotton gloves to prevent soiling of the keys.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
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Comments
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I was given the organ by a friend who has no idea where it came from... I don't know what the keys are made of but they are definatly yellow...How do I know what the keys are made of? adn when cleaning is there a specific toothpaste to use?
