• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Piano Keyboard Reviews (2021)

  • Brands
    • Yamaha Keyboards
      • Yamaha Keyboard Apps
      • Where to Buy Yamaha Keyboard
      • How to Record a Yamaha Keyboard on a Computer
      • How to Fix Dead Keys on a Yamaha Keyboard?
      • DGX 650 Review
        • DGX 650 vs 660
      • DGX 660 Review
        • DGX 660 Tutorial
        • DGX 660 vs P115
      • MM8 Review
      • MO8 Review
      • Motif XS6 Review
      • NP12 Review
      • Pianica Review
      • P45B Review
      • P71 Review
      • P105 Review
      • P125 Review
        • P125 vs Roland FP-30
        • P115 vs P125
      • P255 Review
      • P515 Review
      • PSR E263 Review
        • PSR E263 vs E363
      • PSR EW410 Review
        • PSR EW410 vs EW300
      • S70XS Review
      • YDP142 Review
      • YDP181 Review
      • YDP V240 Review
      • YDP 103R Review
      • YDP 143 Arius Review
      • YDP 184 Review
      • YPG 235 Review
      • YPG 535 Review
      • YPT 240 Review
      • YPT 255 Review
    • Casio Keyboards
      • Casio Keyboard Accessories
      • Casio Keyboard Apps
      • How to Play a Casio Keyboard
      • How to Connect My Casio Keyboard to a Computer | Garage Band | Mac | Laptop | iPad | iPhone | Chromebook
      • CDP 240 Review
      • CGP 700 Review
      • CT X700 Review
        • CT X700 Tutorial
        • CT-X700 vs Yamaha PSR E363
      • CTK 4400 Review
      • CTK 2550 Review
        • CTK 2550 Tutorial
        • CTK 2550 vs 3500
      • CTK 3500 Review
        • CTK 3500 Tutorial
        • CTK 3500 vs CTX 700
      • LK 265 Review
        • LK 265 Tutorial
        • LK 265 vs CTK 3500
      • LK 280 Review
        • LK 280 vs Yamaha EZ 220
      • PX 160 Review
        • PX 160 Tutorial
        • PX 160 vs Yamaha P115
      • PX 350 Review
      • PX 750 Review
      • PX 770 Review
      • PX 870 Review
      • SA 46 Review
        • SA 46 Tutorial
        • SA 46 vs 76
      • SA 76 Review
      • WK 245 Tutorial
        • WK-245 vs Yamaha PSR-EW300
        • WK 245 vs Yamaha YPG 235
      • WK 6600 Review
    • Amazon Piano Keyboards
      • Alesis Recital 88-Key Digital Piano Review
        • Alesis Recital: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
      • Alesis Recital Pro Review
        • Alesis Recital Pro vs Yamaha P45
      • Goplus Piano Review
      • Hamzer Keyboard Review
        • Hamzer Keyboard: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
        • Hamzer Keyboard 61 Keys vs Rockjam 61 Keyboard
      • Joy Keyboard Review
      • Korg B1 Review
        • Korg B1 vs Yamaha P45
      • Korg Tiny Piano Review
      • LAGRIMA 61 Key Keyboard Review
      • LAGRIMA 88 Key Digital Piano Review
      • Plixio Keyboard Review
      • RockJam 54-Key Keyboard Review
        • RockJam Keyboards: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
        • RockJam vs Alesis
      • RockJam 61 Key Keyboard Review
      • The ONE Smart 88 Weighted Key Piano Review
      • The ONE Smart Keyboard Review
    • Roland Keyboards
      • Best Roland Keyboard
      • FP 30 Review
      • RD 2000 Review
      • Go: Keys Review
      • Juno DS88 Review
        • Juno DS88 VS Yamaha MX88
        • Juno DS88 Tutorial
      • Roland Keyboard FAQs
  • Buyer’s Guides
    • 38 Best Piano Keyboards Ranked
    • Beginner Keyboards
      • How to Buy a Keyboard Piano for a Beginner
    • Budget Keyboards
      • Where Can I Buy a Cheap Keyboard Piano?
      • How to Play Keyboard on a Budget
    • Kids Keyboards
      • How to Teach Piano to a Toddler
      • Best Piano for Toddlers
      • How to Teach Your Child to Play Piano
    • Portable Keyboards
      • How to Fly with a Portable Keyboard
    • Roll Up Keyboards
      • Where to Buy Roll Up Piano
      • Lujex 88 Keys Roll Up Piano Review
    • Weighted Keys Keyboards
      • What is a Weighted Keyboard?
      • How to Choose a Weighted Keyboard
  • Best Under $
    • Under 100 Dollars
    • Under 200 Dollars
    • Under 300 Dollars
    • Under 500 Dollars
    • Under 1000 Dollars
    • Under 2000 Dollars
  • Accessories
    • Musical Keyboard Accessories
    • Headphones
  • Lessons
    • Best Online Piano Lessons
      • FlowKey Review
      • Piano for All Review
      • Playground Sessions Review
      • Yousician Review
  • Tutorials
    • History
    • Benefits
    • Types
      • Casio vs. Yamaha
      • Digital vs Acoustic Piano
    • Selling
      • Piano Restoration Cost
      • Baby Grand Piano Cost
      • Buy a Used Piano
    • Tuning
      • Piano Tuning Cost
      • How to Clean a Piano Keyboard
      • How to Clean Piano Keys
    • Transport
      • Piano Weights
    • Parts of a Piano
      • What are Piano Keys Made Of?
      • Sustain Pedals
      • How to Fix Sticky Keys
    • What Age to Start
    • How Long to Learn
    • How to Play Keyboard
    • Learn Piano Online
    • Beginner Piano Books
    • Learn Piano Faster
    • Learn Without a Piano
    • Piano Levels
    • Learning as an Adult
    • Beginner Piano Exercises
    • Self-Taught Pianist vs Lessons
    • Piano Exercises
    • Improvise on a Piano
  • EZ 220 Tutorial
  • EZ 220 vs PSR E363
  • PSR E363 Tutorial
  • YPT 260 vs YPT 360

How to Clean Piano Keys (Without Ruining Your Piano): Quick Guide

January 1, 2021 By Maurice

How to Clean Piano Keys

Everyone loves a clean piano.

A well-kept piano can brighten up a room and add a nice visual appeal. It can also bring endless entertainment for everyone who enjoys music (and maybe even motivate a beginner to learn faster!)

But, one day, you will realize something. The keys are dirty. They’ve become a little yellow or sticky. What should you do?

It’s time to clean those keys and make them shine once again. But how? In this article, I’ll show you how to clean your keys properly without damaging them.


Quick Navigation
Cleaning Piano Keys
Ivory vs Plastic Keys
General Cleaning Tips
How To Clean Plastic Keys
How To Clean Ivory Keys
Cleaning Digital Piano Keys
Alternative Cleaning Methods
Hand-Soap Method

Lemon Juice
Toothpaste
Diluted Vinegar
Yogurt and Mayo
Ivory Scraper
How Often Should You Clean the Keys?
How to Clean Your Piano Keys
Conclusion

Cleaning Piano Keys

cleaning a piano

Dust, skin oil, and dirt can build up on the keys over time. If you want to have a pleasant instrument to play, it’s essential to regularly clean the keys.

Ivory vs Plastic Keys

Since some pianos have ivory keys and others have plastic ones, there are different cleaning techniques. If you don’t already know which material your keys are made from, you should figure that out first. You need to be aware of both key types.


Ivory keys are rarer than plastic ones. Ivory keys were discontinued in the 1970s and finally outlawed in 1989. One of the easiest ways to distinguish ivory keys is the slight yellow hue. Usually, they aren’t perfectly white and take on this yellowish color over time. These keys are also two conjoined parts, unlike plastic keys. As you play them, you feel a slight grainy texture on your fingertips. Plastic keys feel smoother and are whiter.

General Cleaning Tips

It’s always best to clean one octave at a time. Clean all of the notes and dry them off before continuing. By doing this, you avoid getting into a habit of cleaning and drying one note at a time. On the other hand, there isn't anything wrong with cleaning individual notes. Some people might even recommend it.


Don’t use a paper towel to wipe the keys down. Use a lint-free cloth that won’t leave any residue.


Avoid using cleaners with lots of chemicals. Those chemicals can permanently damage the keys, regardless of material.


Use more than one cloth. Many people find it beneficial to use a separate cloth for the white and black keys. You’ll need several of them, especially if your keys are really dirty.

How To Clean Plastic Keys

These are the steps to clean plastic keys:

  1. 1
    Fill a small bowl with warm water (dish soap optional)
  2. 2
    Acquire a soft white cloth
  3. 3
    Lightly dip cloth into water
  4. 4
    Clean keys with a brushing motion (not too hard)
  5. 5
    Use a different cloth for the black keys
  6. 6
    Wipe them off after finishing an octave
  7. 7
    Cover the keys when you’re done

Avoid using a side-to-side brushing motion, as it can transfer dirt in between keys. As you push down, there’s an opening at the back of the keys. Don’t brush the cloth in a way that will push dirt behind them. Take your time to clean each key off as well as possible.

How To Clean Ivory Keys

Now that you know how to clean plastic keys, it’s time to move on to ivory. Since ivory keys are a bit more fragile, you should be extra careful. On top of fragility, it’s likely that your piano is relatively old. Getting an old, ivory-keyed piano can be an expensive ordeal. If it’s an antique, it’s best to call a professional piano technician. Here are the steps to clean ivory keys:

  1. 1
    Don’t use soap or chemicals
  2. 2
    Wear cotton gloves
  3. 3
    Use a duster or paint brush to remove key dust
  4. 4
    Rub the keys with a white vinyl eraser
  5. 5
    Wipe off all the eraser bits
  6. 6
    Use a fine steel wool pad to remove the yellow hue
  7. 7
    Let sunlight hit the keys

Make sure to use a very fine steel wool pad. If it isn’t fine enough, you could scratch the keys. There’s a reason for exposing the keys to sunlight. Sunlight naturally whitens and bleaches ivory. If you have a keyboard, it’s easy to move it near a window. However, if you have a grand or upright piano, it’s not as easy. If you’re careful, you can remove the action (all the keys) at the same time. It might surprise you at how easy it is to remove all the keys.

Cleaning Digital Piano Keys

Cleaning keyboard keys is very simple. All that’s needed to clean the keys is dish soap and water. You can also use furniture cleaning equipment. To start out:

  • Dip a damp white cloth in your soap-water cleaning mix.
  • Wipe and dry each of the white keys individually for the best results.
  • After you clean the white keys, move on to the black ones.
  • Lightly dampen another cloth into the solution.
  • Gently rub the top of the keys one-by-one.
  • It’s also excellent to clean the sides of them. Dry each key off and repeat the process.

Alternative Cleaning Methods

Hand-Soap Method

This method is for plastic keys. To do it, fill a spray bottle with two tablespoons of hand soap and water. Shake the bottle to create an even mix. Get a small cloth or an old cotton t-shirt to wipe the keys. Instead of spraying the solution directly on the keys, spray it on the cloth. Spraying it on the keys can be harmful and get moisture between the keys.

Lemon Juice

Using lemon juice on ivory keys is another whitening technique. If you give this a try, make sure you don’t leave the juice on the keys too long. Citric acids can erode the material. Spray a cloth with lemon juice and gently scrub each key one by one. It’s best if you dry off the keys before moving on to the next one.

Toothpaste

Another home remedy for stained ivory keys is toothpaste. However, you can’t just use any toothpaste. It has to be a clear white brand with no other colors. For this technique, you’ll also need to dampen a cloth with whole milk. After putting the toothpaste on the keys, wipe it off with the milk, and dry the keys immediately afterward.

Diluted Vinegar

Diluted vinegar tends to be a fast-working solution for ivory keys. Dust the keys and then clean them with vinegar. Create a mix of 4 parts water and 1 part vinegar for the best results. Apply just a small amount of vinegar to avoid corroding the ivory. To scrub the keys, use a cheesecloth, flannel, or a t-shirt. Avoid using steel wool on ivory, as it will scratch up the keys.

Yogurt and Mayo

Another bizarre way to clean your keys is with yogurt or Mayo. The bacteria in both of them are acidic and can help whiten the keys. If you’re scared of corroding the keys, this method is safer than the rest. Apply one of the substances on the keys and let it sit for a few minutes.

Ivory Scraper

Be extra careful if you decide to use an ivory scraper. If the stains are heavy, you might need to scrape them off. As you’re scraping, you’ll see many of the stains come off instantly. Since it's dangerous to misuse a scraper, you might want to have a piano technician teach you how to do it first. 

Though it costs extra money, it could prevent potential damage to your keys. On the other hand, if you’re careful and use a light stroke, the keys should be fine. For heavily stained keys, you can use the ivory scraper and then a juice solution.

How Often Should You Clean the Keys?

If you have the time, you can carefully clean the keys every week. This frequency will ensure that your piano is in the best shape possible. Even if you don’t do it weekly, it can be beneficial to create a cleaning schedule. With this, you won’t have to worry about having stained keys again.

How to Clean Your Piano Keys

Conclusion

Pianos can last for decades, so it’s important to clean the keys regularly. Before starting out, it’s essential to figure out what type of keys your piano has. Plastic keys have relatively straightforward cleaning methods, while ivory keys can be cleaned using many techniques. If you can’t figure out what type of keys you have, you can find your piano model's online description. However, if you have a newer piano, your keys are almost 100% likely to be plastic.


There’s always the option to hire a piano technician to clean the keys for the first time. Doing this can be useful if you have little free time or you're worried about damaging keys. Regardless of which route you choose, you’ll be much happier with clean keys.


Casio PX-750 Review (2021)

Are Pianos Made Out of Elephants?

Roland Go: Keys Review (2021): A Solid Entry-Level Keyboard by an Industry Leader

Roland Juno-DS88 Review (2021): A Feature-Packed Synthesizer at a Reasonable Price

Where to Buy Roll Up Piano

Yamaha P-105 Review (2021)

Filed Under: Tutorials

Primary Sidebar

Helpful Links

  • Accessories
  • Amazon-piano-keyboards
  • Best Under $
  • Blog
  • Buyer's Guides
  • Casio Keyboards
  • Lessons
  • Piano Keyboard
  • Roland keyboards
  • Tutorials
  • Yamaha Keyboards
Piano For All

Secondary Sidebar

Piano For All

Footer

Have You Read These Yet?

  • Best Casio Keyboards 2019
  • Best Amazon Piano Keyboards 2019
Piano For All

Browse Our Content

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Buyer’s Guides
  • Best Under $
  • Tutorials
  • Accessories

Copyright © 2022 Piano Keyboard Reviews

About | Contact | Affiliate Disclosure | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Piano Keyboard Reviews is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.