In order to keep the sound quality and high value of your piano, it is extremely important to maintain the condition of your piano. We want you to be able to use your piano in the best way for many years to come so it is important to maintain the instrument in order to keep your piano in great condition. In this guide we will be sharing our top tips on how to care for your piano after you have bought it. Whether you own a digital, upright or grand piano, they will all require maintenance. 

This may seem like an obvious one but it is extremely important that you keep your piano clean at all times because in doing so you will increase the lifespan of your piano and improve its functionality. The dirt from your hands can make your piano dirty much faster than you think so it is important to regularly clean your piano to keep it in the best condition possible.  The first step that you should take is to dust the keys, this is an important step because if there is any dust on your piano then it could enter the action mechanism or soundboard and could cause damage to your piano. You should use a feather duster to gently dust the keys so that you do not scratch the piano. 

If you have a piano that has synthetic plastic keys then these will require specialist cleaning products. You should mix the cleaning solution with water, as directed by the instructions, and take a clean white cloth and dip it into the mixture. You should remove any excess moisture and then gently wipe the keys with the cloth. After you have done this, you should then take a dry cloth and go over the keys to ensure there is no cleaning solution left on the keys. When cleaning the keys of your piano, always remember to wipe the keys vertically so that there is no moisture getting in between the keys. 

Once you have cleaned the keys on your piano, you will then need to clean the exterior of your piano. You should wipe the piano with a soft, dry cloth and this should be done frequently.

One thing to remember is that you should never use cleaners that contain alcohol as this could cause the keys to become cracked. Another tip is to always wash your hands before playing the piano as most of the dirt on piano’s comes from the player’s hands.

It is also likely that the inside of your piano will need cleaning at some point, this usually only needs doing every five to ten years. But when this does need to happen, we advise that it is done by a professional piano cleaner.

Tuning a piano involves correcting the pitch of every note by retightening the strings and, in doing so, it will help to avoid any unnecessary damage to the piano because the tension in the strings is important to the overall health of your piano .

Over time, piano strings will lose some tension and this will result in the piano losing its correct pitch and causing the piano to sound flat. The strings in your piano will need to be tuned between one to two times per year in order to restore them to their original tension. You should remember that it is easier to tune a piano and keep the piano in good condition if the piano is regularly tuned. If the piano has not been tuned for a long time then it will be more difficult to perform the tune and could cost you more in the long run. 

When it comes to tuning your piano, if you have a digital piano, you do not need to worry about this as there are no strings on a digital piano so they do not need tuning. It is only acoustic pianos that will need tuning. 

Regulating your piano involves servicing the mechanical parts of your piano and getting this done will mean that all of the parts of your piano will operate efficiently together. The main differences between a brand new piano and a used piano is that the parts inside the piano may have become worn and no adjustments have been made so to keep your piano sounding like brand new, you need to regulate your piano. All parts of a piano will wear over time, potentially compromising the sound and quality of the piano so it is important that you get your piano regulated at least once a year. 

Again, if you own a digital piano, then you do not need to worry about getting your piano regulated but if you own an upright or an acoustic piano, they will need periodic regulation so that they can perform to the best of their ability. 

You may not consider that keeping your piano in certain places could cause it damage, however there are many elements that can cause your piano damage and where you keep your piano can affect this. 

When finding a location for your piano, you should try to avoid placing your piano near the window. If your piano is made out of wood then it must be protected against direct sunlight. This is also apparent for digital pianos because if they are exposed to direct sunlight then this can cause the plastic parts of your piano to weaken. 

Leaving your piano next to an open window can also cause the piano to gather a lot more dust, which as we have already discussed can get inside the piano and cause problems for both digital and acoustic pianos. 

You should also try and avoid placing your piano near any sources of heat, such as radiators. Heat may potentially damage your piano in more than one way, it can damage the finish of your piano but it can also damage the internal parts of your piano potentially causing the tone to deteriorate. 

The best place in your home for your piano is a room that has a constant temperature because pianos will stay in the best condition if they are kept somewhere where the temperature is not constantly changing because this will mean that they are not exposed to any moisture or dryness, both of which are bad for pianos. The ideal temperature of the room where you keep your piano is around 20 degrees centigrade.  

In order to keep your piano in pristine condition, taking good care of it and maintaining it properly is key. Regular maintenance of your piano will help to maintain the sound quality for years to come and it will also help to keep any unnecessary costs low. Hopefully this article has helped you to know how to properly care for your piano, but if you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact us on 01772 622111, email us at customerservice@rimmersmusic.co.uk or visit one of our stores and one of our team will be sure to help.