The Ultimate Guide to Piano Care: How to Clean, Polish, and Protect Your Instrument

Quick Summary: How to Clean and Protect Your Piano

• Best Piano Polish: Cory High Gloss Polish – Ideal for high-gloss finishes, prevents streaks and enhances shine. Cory Satin Piano Polish – The best cleaning and polishing solution for matte and satin finish pianos.
• Best Key Cleaner: Cory Key-Brite – Safe for ivory and plastic keys, removes dirt and restores brightness.
• Best Piano Cleaner: Cory Pre-Polish dissolves built-up residues and removes dirt for a deep clean.
• Best Piano Scratch Repair Kit: Piano Finish Repair Kit – Fixes minor scratches and chips, making damage less noticeable.
• Safe Piano Cleaning Tips:
  ✅ Use a microfiber cloth to prevent scratches.
  ✅ Avoid household cleaners like Windex or Lysol (they damage the finish).
  ✅ Apply Cory Pre-Polish Finish Cleaner before polishing for the best results.
• Avoid These Mistakes:
  ❌ Never use silicone or oil-based furniture polish on your piano.
  ❌ Do not spray liquid directly onto keys or wood surfaces.
  ❌ Avoid abrasive cloths that can scratch the finish.

🔹 Want a step-by-step guide? Keep reading below!

How to Clean a Piano Without Damaging It

A piano is an investment—both financially and musically. But many owners unknowingly use the wrong cleaning products, leading to dull finishes, sticky keys, and even permanent damage. Harsh household cleaners like Windex and furniture polish can strip protective coatings, discolor keys, and reduce the instrument’s value.

Did you know? Dust buildup on the soundboard can even affect tone and resonance, while scratches from improper cleaning can dull a once-beautiful finish.

This guide will show you how to safely clean, polish, and protect your piano using the right products, including professional-grade Cory Piano Care Products. Whether you need to restore shine, fix minor scratches, or prevent dust buildup inside your piano, you'll find the best solutions here.

Why Piano Care Is Important

Pianos are intricate and delicate instruments, combining wood, felt, and metal components that require special attention. Without proper care, they can suffer from:

• Dust buildup, which can accumulate on strings, dampers, and soundboards, affecting tone and responsiveness.
• Key discoloration from constant contact with skin oils, dirt, and moisture, leading to a yellowed or grimy appearance.
• Finish deterioration, caused by improper cleaning products that introduce harmful chemicals or leave behind residues.
• Loss of resale value, as scratches, stains, and neglected maintenance reduce the worth of an instrument.

Consistent piano care not only preserves the look of the instrument but also protects its performance. A clean, well-maintained piano enhances both playability and longevity, making it a cherished instrument for years to come.

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How Cory Products Compare to Generic and DIY Cleaners

 

Feature	Cory Piano Care Products	Generic Furniture Polish	DIY Solutions (Vinegar, Soap)
Safe for All Finishes	✅ Yes	❌ No (May contain silicone)	❌ No (Can damage lacquer)
Removes Fingerprints & Smudges	✅ Yes	✅ Yes, but leaves residues	❌ No, may leave streaks
Silicone-Free Formula	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes, but less effective
Designed for Pianos	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Prevents Long-Term Damage	✅ Yes	❌ No (May cause buildup)	❌ No (May dry out finish)

Cory products are specifically formulated for pianos, ensuring long-term protection without risk. Generic polishes and DIY solutions often contain harmful ingredients that can damage the delicate finish of a piano over time.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Piano

1. Dusting and Surface Cleaning

✅ Use a Cory Polishing Cloth – This soft microfiber cloth is designed specifically for pianos and prevents scratching while removing dust.

✅ Avoid feather dusters – They can scatter dust into the keys and soundboard.

✅ Never use paper towels – They can leave scratches and streaks.

For deeper cleaning, use Cory Pre-Polish Finish Cleaner, which safely removes dirt and residue before applying polish.

2. Cleaning and Polishing the Piano Finish

• High-Gloss Finishes: Use Cory High Gloss Polish, the best piano polish for high-gloss finishes. This formula enhances shine, removes fingerprints, and protects delicate lacquer surfaces without streaking
• Satin & Matte Finishes: Use Cory Satin Sheen Cleaner, which removes fingerprints and smudges while preserving the natural finish.
• Avoid generic furniture polish, as it often contains silicone and harsh chemicals that can damage your piano’s lacquer.

3. Cleaning the Piano Keys

• Use Cory Key-Brite Piano Key Cleaner – This product is designed to safely clean and brighten both ivory and plastic keys, removing fingerprints, dirt, and grime.
• Apply with a soft microfiber cloth – Spray onto the cloth (not directly on the keys) and gently wipe each key.
• Avoid harsh chemicals like alcohol or bleach, which can yellow the keys over time.

Common Piano Care Mistakes to Avoid

Even well-intentioned piano owners can make mistakes that damage the finish or functionality of their instrument. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

❌ Using Household Cleaners – Many general-purpose cleaners contain ammonia, alcohol, or silicone, which can damage the piano’s finish and keys, and leave an oily residue which is near impossible to get off (I made this mistake as a kid, thinking I was going to make my piano shiny be using Lysol. It left an oil we could never get off, and it became a dust magnet).

❌ Applying Too Much Moisture – Excess liquid can seep into cracks, affecting the wood and internal components.

❌ Neglecting Regular Cleaning – Allowing dust and grime to build up over time makes cleaning more difficult and can degrade the finish.

❌ Using Abrasive Cloths or Sponges – These can create fine scratches, dulling the piano’s appearance.

❌ Ignoring the Keys – Dirty keys can discolor over time and become sticky, affecting playability. Always use a gentle, key-safe cleaner like Cory Key-Brite.

Recommended Cory Products for Piano Care

Cory piano care products stand out as the best choice for maintaining your instrument. Unlike cheap, imported polishes and cleaners from China that may contain harmful chemicals, Cory products are proudly made in the USA. They are silicone-free, non-toxic, and specifically formulated to provide safe and effective care for pianos of all finishes.

1. Cory High Gloss Polish

This professional-grade polish is designed to enhance the depth and shine of high-gloss pianos. It effectively removes fingerprints, smudges, and minor scratches while leaving behind a protective, streak-free finish. Unlike generic polishes, it is free from wax buildup and silicone, ensuring long-term protection without causing damage.

2. Cory Satin Sheen Cleaner

Perfect for satin and matte finishes, this cleaner removes dust, fingerprints, and mild surface grime without altering the natural sheen of your piano. Many standard cleaners can leave a sticky residue or unwanted shine, but Cory Satin Sheen is specially formulated to maintain the piano’s original finish while keeping it spotless.

3. Cory Pre-Polish Finish Cleaner

For deeper cleaning, Cory Pre-Polish Finish Cleaner is an essential first step before applying any polish. It safely dissolves built-up residues from previous polishes, removes dirt, and preps the surface for optimal polish application. Regular use ensures that your piano’s surface remains clean, smooth, and ready for finishing treatments.

4. Cory Key-Brite Cleaner

Keys are among the most frequently touched parts of a piano, making them susceptible to oil buildup, dirt, and yellowing. Cory Key-Brite is a gentle yet powerful solution designed to restore piano keys to without harming their material. Unlike harsh alcohol-based cleaners, it prevents drying or cracking of the keys.

5. Cory Polishing Cloth

A high-quality polish needs a high-quality cloth. The Cory Polishing Cloth is made from ultra-soft, non-abrasive microfiber material, ensuring a scratch-free application of polishes and cleaners. It is washable and reusable, making it an eco-friendly addition to your piano care routine.

How to Clean Inside a Piano: Soundboard Dusting & Interior Care

While many piano owners focus on exterior cleaning, the interior of your piano also requires attention, particularly the soundboard, where dust can accumulate over time and affect sound quality. The safest way to clean the interior of a piano is with a specialized piano cleaning tool designed for the job.

Using a Soundboard Duster for Safe Cleaning

The Piano Soundboard Cleaner and Duster is designed specifically for safely reaching inside a grand or upright piano. Unlike traditional dusters, this tool is made with soft, non-abrasive fabric that prevents damage to the delicate surface of the soundboard.

✅ Gently removes dust and debris from hard-to-reach areas.
✅ Flexible design allows it to slide under strings and across the soundboard.
✅ Prevents dust buildup, which can muffle sound and impact piano performance.

How to Use the Soundboard Duster

1. Ensure the piano lid is open and there are no obstructions.
2. Insert the duster under the strings and carefully sweep across the soundboard, pulling dust out gently.
3. Shake out the duster after each use to remove accumulated dust.
4. Repeat as necessary to maintain a clean, dust-free soundboard.
5. Dust cover is removable and can be run through the washing machine.

Using this specialized tool ensures your piano remains in optimal condition without the risk of damage from improper cleaning methods.

Piano Scratch and Finish Repair

Over time, pianos may develop scratches, chips, or worn areas on their finish due to regular use, accidental impacts, or environmental factors. Rather than resorting to costly professional refinishing, minor surface imperfections can be effectively repaired using the Piano Finish Repair Kit – Scratch Removal. The kit includes a:  Fill Stick Rub on Wax Pencil, Scratch Removal Touch Up Marker, Cory Polisher Cloth, Cory Buff-Brite -scratch remover, and Cory Piano Polish. Keep in mind these are just designed to improve your piano’s appearance and make the existing damage less noticeable (covering up the exposed brown wood for example).

How to Repair Scratches and Chips on a Piano Finish

✅ Clean the Surface First – Before applying any repair solution, wipe the area with a soft microfiber cloth to remove dust and debris. Use Cory Pre-Polish Finish Cleaner for a residue-free surface.
✅ Apply the Repair Kit Solution – Use the wax pen for deeper gouges, or the repair marker, to gently fill in surface scratches where the wood of the piano is exposed.

✅ Buff and Polish – For fine scratches, carefully use the Cory Buff Brite to buff out the surface. Always make sure to go with the grain of the wood. This product will also clean and buff your brass piano wheels. Finish the product using the included bottle of piano polish.

Why Choose a Specialized Piano Repair Kit?

Unlike generic wood repair products, the Piano Finish Repair Kit is designed to work without altering the original lacquer or tone of the piano. Many furniture repair kits contain oils, waxes, or silicone, which can cause permanent streaking or uneven patches on a piano’s delicate surface. The repair kit ensures a safe, piano-specific solution that maintains the integrity of your instrument.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How often should I clean my piano?

A: Dust weekly, clean keys monthly, and polish the surface every 3-6 months as needed.

Q: Can I use household cleaners on my piano?

A: No! Household cleaners like Lysol and Windex contain harsh chemicals that can damage the finish and leave an oily residue which is nearly impossible to remove..

Q: What’s the best way to remove fingerprints from a piano?

A: Use Cory High Gloss Polish or Cory Satin Sheen Cleaner, depending on the finish, with a microfiber cloth.

Q: Can I use Cory Key-Brite on all types of keys?

A: Yes! Cory Key-Brite is safe for ivory, plastic, and synthetic keys and will not damage them. Key-Brite is the best piano cleaner for ivory keys on the market.

Q: Should I keep my piano open or closed when not in use?

A: Keep it closed to prevent dust buildup but open it occasionally for air circulation.

 

Keep Your Piano in Pristine Condition

Using the right products and following proper cleaning techniques will help your piano maintain its beauty and function for years to come. Browse our full collection of Cory Piano Cleaners and Polishes to find the perfect solution for your instrument.