Cleaning Acoustic Piano Key Tops
Each piano key contains a wooden key stick and a key top. Key tops are the exposed piece of thin material which the pianist’s fingers contact, which are adhered to the top of each key stick. Key top material is typically ivory, ebony, or plastic.
As pianos are played, key tops can accumulate oil deposits, sweat, and dirt from our fingers, thus requiring cleaning. Below you will find helpful tips about appropriate cleaning supplies and methods. Some manufacturers, including Steinway, Yamaha, and Kawai, offer specific guidelines online for cleaning key tops. Should you have any questions, it is best to play it safe and ask your piano technician before proceeding.
Step 1: Review Preliminary Information
Excess moisture can harm key top glue joints, causing warping or separation. It is critical to avoid letting liquid sit on the key tops or drip down the sides of keys. Do not spray or pour liquid directly onto the keys. Always clean with a slightly damp rag, wipe away excess liquid quickly, and never leave standing liquid on keys.
Some cleaning products, chemicals, disinfectants, and applicators may be harmful to key top materials. Items to avoid include, but are not limited to:
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alcohol wipes
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bleach-based products
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canned air
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chemically-based cleaners or polish
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ethanol
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lemon juice or other citrus products
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solvents
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spray disinfectants
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hydrogen peroxide: some manufacturers have recommended use of hydrogen peroxide, which may work well for certain materials, but may be harmful for others
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scouring pad or scrubbing brush, which can dull or scratch key top surfaces
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colored cleaning cloths/rags, which can transfer colored dye onto key top surfaces or into porous ivory
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dirty cleaning cloths/rags, which can transfer stains onto key top surfaces
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paper towels
This guide does not apply to digital pianos, pianos with electronic MIDI systems, or pianos with player systems. For these instruments, consult your manufacturer for a safe cleaning process appropriate to your instrument, or let your piano technician clean your keys.
Step 2: Inspect for Loose Key Tops
Before proceeding with cleaning your key tops, closely inspect your key tops for any separations or visual abnormalities. Should you observe any loose or detached key tops, consult your technician before cleaning to avoid exacerbating any existing problems. Do not pull up on the loose key tops. Please see more information here.
Step 3: Prepare Supplies
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4x clean, soft, white, lint-free cotton rags
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Cleaning solution: Mild dish soap solution made up of water and a few drops of dish soap. Alternatively, pure water can be used.
Step 4: Clean Key Tops
1.
Use a mister bottle to spray a very small amount of your cleaning solution onto a clean rag making the rag lightly damp. It is better to re-spray onto a fresh part of the rag multiple times, as opposed to soaking the rag and trying to clean the entire keyboard in one pass.
2.
Begin with the white keys. Gently wipe the key tops in a 'toward the player' back-to-front brushing motion. Avoid wiping the keys in a side-to-side motion. Clean a handful of keys at a time, drying immediately with a second clean rag. Proceed in sections until all white keys are clean.
3.
After all white keys are clean, repeat the same cleaning process with a fresh pair of rags for the black keys.
4.
Ensure all 88 key tops are completely dry with no standing liquid.
Brad Fant Piano Service (BFPS) does not guarantee the effectiveness or complete disinfection of cleaning key tops. Additionally, BFPS does not guarantee that key top cleaning will not damage the key tops or piano. In no event shall BFPS, its officers, directors, or employees be subject to liability for damage caused in or from the process of key top cleaning.