09 Oct Basic piano care tips for your grand or upright piano

If you are thinking of buying a piano or you already have it but don’t know exactly what care it needs. We are going to give you some piano care tips so that your piano stays in perfect condition for a long time.

Some care that will prolong the life of your piano can be done by yourself in a simple way. However, there are other maintenance jobs, such as tuning or mechanical adjustments. For it is necessary to have an experienced professional.

Temperature And Sunlight

The first tip for keeping your piano in top condition is to keep it away from a direct source of heat or cold (a radiator, fireplace, or air conditioner) as well as out of direct sunlight. A source of heat, apart from causing the piano to go out of tune and out of adjustment. Could lead to some of its parts cracking, such as the soundboard. Or it could even cause irreversible structural damage if any of its parts become unstuck. Sunlight, on the other hand, can cause the furniture to discolor over time and exposure, whether it is black or wood finish. What is best for a piano is a more or less constant temperature, and that is not very high. Around 20ºC is ideal. Being made of wood and metal, changes in temperature cause the instrument to be in motion.

Cleaning Your Piano

With cleaning, you have to be careful because the products and clothes you use to carry out the cleaning should not be abrasive. The best thing is to use a soft cloth (microfiber cloth) slightly moistened. For natural wood finishes (not high gloss polyester) you can use a specific product to help nourish it and keep it with its original shine. Ask us for more information.

To clean the keyboard of your piano, you can also use a damp cloth with a little soap. However, if the keys are made of ivory, a material that is common in old pianos. It is better to do without water and use only a dry cloth slightly moistened with milk (yes, you read that right, cow’s milk!). Metal parts, such as hinges, wheels, locks, and pedals, can be cleaned with a metal-cleaning product. Taking great care to clean around them afterward with a slightly damp cloth so as not to abrade the furniture.

Before buying a piano, it is advisable to study its future location well. At Hines Pianos we can advise you without any commitment, seeing the possible stay in situ, so do not hesitate to contact us if you are evaluating options.

Humidity

Try not to make it an area that is too humid and we insist that it not be very close to a radiator or heat source, or in a place where it receives direct sunlight. Manufacturers recommend relative humidity of approximately 45-55%. For this, there are specific humidifiers or heaters for pianos that help maintain these conditions. The important thing is to try to avoid sudden changes in temperature and humidity in the room, which is what most affects the piano.

The Tuning of Your Piano

Periodically tuning and regulating pianos is an essential task that should only be done by a professional. Remember that in our piano store we have a tuning, maintenance, and repair department that can take care of this work. To keep your piano in optimal condition, it should be tuned at least twice a year.

General Regulation of Your Piano

Another task that requires solid knowledge and a lot of practice in regulation. Your piano will need a general adjustment at least once every two years. Or more frequently depending on the use you give it, and minor adjustments and adjustments of the mechanics to be carried out along with the tuning. Taking advantage of the fact that the technician performs the regulation. He can take care of the intonation, another key point for the care of the piano.

Transfer and Transport of Your Piano

Finally, if you need to move your piano, you should not trust this task to a moving company to use. Remember that it is not a piece of furniture but a delicate instrument that should only be handled by professionals. At Hines Pianos, we also have a national and international piano transport and transfer service. And this department is dedicated exclusively to this task. He only transports pianos.

Buying a piano is a long-term investment since it is an instrument whose useful life can exceed 50 years. Hence the importance of taking care of it regularly to keep it in perfect condition for as long as possible. And that its value and optimal conditions are maintained for many years.

If piano music is your passion, in our piano store you have models of upright and grand pianos, new and used. So you can choose the one that best suits your needs. And with the help of our maintenance staff, you will keep it pristine for many years. At Hines Pianos, we are always by your side for everything you need related to pianos.

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