A piano isn’t a quick purchase. It’s something you take time to weigh your options, and select the right one for your needs. Select carefully, and it can bring a lifetime of enjoyment.
Of course, once you bring it into your home, there are a few piano care tips that will ensure it stays in the best shape possible. Do these few things regularly, and you’ll increase the playability, giving you enjoyment year after year.
Piano Care Tip #1 Location
Before you ever bring your piano home from the dealer, it’s crucial to select the right place. There are a few things to keep in mind.
Try to position it on an internal wall, away from windows, vents, and direct sunlight. Each of these can impact your piano in a big way. Sunlight can bleach wood, moisture can creep in and damage the internal structure, and too much heat or cold from registers can warp and further the damage. Pick the right location, and it can bring years of enjoyment.
Piano Care Tip #2 Cleaning
Like everything in your home, your piano needs cleaning from time to time. However, it’s not like the other furniture items sitting in your home. Avoid chemical cleaners at all costs. They can damage the finish and the internal parts of your piano. Dust it with a feather duster weekly, and use mild soap and water using a well wrung out cloth for difficult spots.
Piano Care Tip #3 Decorations
Because your piano can take up a lot of space in a home, some people turn it into a collection site. They stack books, place picture frames, or even put plants and other decorations on top. Your piano is built to perform the way it was designed. By placing random objects on it, you’re impacting the tonal quality of the instrument. If you put plants or water glasses on it, you risk damaging it from spills.
Piano Care Tip #4 Storage and Movement
Pianos aren’t like other pieces of furniture. You can’t stack them into a basement and expect them to continue working. If you need to store a piano while you renovate your home, for example, it’s best if you hire professional piano movers and store it in a place where it can maintain temperature and humidity levels equal to your home. Professional movers are skilled in handling a piano gently, so that it will work correctly when it gets to its final resting place. Experienced movers ensure you won’t have extensive damage when your move is complete.
Piano Care Tip #5 Tuning
Every piano is a moving, living instrument that changes every day. Playing it impacts it. So does sitting. If you’ve just invested in a new piano, it’s recommended to tune it up to four times in the first year to ensure the strings are properly balanced. If you work with a tuner regularly, they can help you determine the right schedule for your piano, to ensure it’s always playing at its best.
