| Treat your piano
like a piece of valuable furniture: keep it clean and avoid
standing drinks, vases of flowers, or pot plants on it.
Spilled liquids can cause serious damage, the repair of
which may amount to a major overhaul. New pianos are generally
finished in polyester or satin lacquer, which requires
only to be wiped with a damp cloth and carefully dried.
No polish is needed. Older pianos are usually French polished
and need greater care, using a polish reviver applied with
a clean soft cloth and polished with a soft duster. On
NO account use spray polish. |
First you must
consider how climate and environment affect a piano.
TEMPERATURE - a piano does not like to be too hot or too cold.
A constant 18 to 21 degrees Celsius (65 - 70 degrees
Farenheit) is ideal.
HUMIDITY - central heating systems dry the air, and draw moisture
from the wooden components of the piano. When the
heating is switched off at night the humidity rises,
and conversely, as it is switched on in the morning,
the humidity drops. These changes in relative humidity
cause the wood alternately to shrink and expand,
causing tuning instability. Ideally, you should try
to keep your piano within 45 - 60 per cent relative
humidity.
POSITION - keep the piano away from windows if possible. Do not place
your piano near a radiator or other heat source, or on an inside wall
where there is a radiator in the next room backing onto the piano,
resulting in heat being transmitted through the wall. These locations
where constant excessive heat, or fluctuating heat, is the cause of
low or changing relative humidity, often are responsible for tuning
instability and other serious problems, such as loose tuning pins,
split soundboard and disruption of regulation.
A separate music room is considered
to be ideal, but a dining room may be suitable, as this
will usually be maintained at a lower temperature, and
have a reasonably constant humidity level. Should you
feel that your piano is in an unsuitable environment
you should consider buying either a humidifier to counteract
excess dryness, or a dehumidifier for excess dampness. |
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