Piano Cleaning: What to Leave to a Technician

A piano collects dust on the case, the soundboard, the strings, and the action. A soft cloth on the finished case is safe for most homes. The inside of the piano is not a household cleaning job.

What you can do at home

The maintenance checklist already names the quiet habits that help.

• Dust the case with a soft, dry cloth
• Keep drinks, plants, and humidifiers off the lid
• Close the lid when the room will sit empty
• Keep grit and pet hair from collecting between the keys if you can do so without forcing a key

Do not pour powder, oil, or household cleaner into the keys. That advice is the same as the guidance for sticky piano keys.

What a technician cleaning covers

A careful interior and exterior cleaning protects the instrument and helps it look its best. Dust on the soundboard and strings can mute the sound. Dust in the action and pedal parts can add noise or drag. Kevin works with tools that reach those places without harming felt or finish.

This is cleaning, not refinishing. PianoATX lists piano cleaning as care for the instrument you already have.

When to book a cleaning

Ask for a cleaning visit when any of these are true.

• The soundboard or strings show a heavy layer of dust
• Pedals squeak or feel gritty after ordinary use
• The piano sat open in a dusty remodel or storage room
• You can see debris between keys that will not lift out safely

A cleaning can sit beside a tuning or a look at the action. Kevin will say what the piano needs after he sees it.

When you are ready, start on the PianoATX home page or request a visit.