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your piano in tune. Keep your piano clean. Keep
the keyboard covered when not in use to prevent
dust from accumulating. Clean keys by occasionally
wiping them with a damp cloth and drying them immediately.
If accumulated debris can't be removed with a damp
cloth, try wiping the cloth on a bar of mild soap
or moisten with dishwashing detergent before wiping.
Do not use chemicals or solvents to clean piano
keys.
Call a qualified piano technician to remove anything
from the keys you can't wipe away
To maintain the piano's finish, you may wipe the
case with a damp cotton cloth to remove fingerprints,
or polish with a reliable emulsion-type, water-based
solution following the manufacturer's instructions.
Avoid aerosol spray polishes that contain silicone.
Your technician may suggest a specific brand name.
Try to maintain a fairly consistent temperature
and humidity control in the room where your piano
is placed. It's important to keep your piano away
from a heating register in winter, an air conditioning
vent in the summer, a fireplace, a frequently
opened window or outside door, and direct sunlight.
Play your piano regularly. A disadvantage to
idle pianos, assuming they also suffer a service
lapse, is that a detrimental condition or environment
can't be identified, and an escalating problem
can result in damage that might not have occurred
with regular service. Tuning a piano after years
of not having been tuned often requires a pitch
raise. As a piano ages, it may begin to develop
more major problems which your technician can
help you assess.
Keep all drinks and standing liquid containers
off the piano. Should spilled water reach the
action, notify you piano technician immediately.
In many case, once liquids are spilled, the damage
is irreversible which is why prevention is the
safest rule to follow.
The maintenance of the inner working of the piano
and regulation should be left to a qualified piano
technician. Resist dusting the inside of your
piano, oiling the moving parts, or using moth
or insect repellents. Your piano technician will
take care of all internal problems
Select a piano technician with care. It's not
only important that the service person be competent
to perform tuning, regulation and repairs, but
also that the person be someone you feel comfortable
calling with questions concerning your piano's
performance. Hiring a expert Piano Technician
who is committed to comprehensive service for
your piano, and not just an occasional tuning,
is your best assurance.
Do not perform repairs yourself. Though a problem
may appear easy to solve (such as replacing a
loose key ivory), a qualified technician will
have the proper tools and parts to make repairs
quickly and correctly. It's important to remember
that unsuccessful amateur repairs are usually
much more expensive to fix than the initial problem
and may decrease the value of your instrument.
Use only a professional piano mover to move your
piano. You will avoid injury to yourself, your
instrument, and your home.
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