How to Care for Your Piano Keys

Guidelines for cleaning your keys and preventing damage

Yamaha acoustic and digital piano keytops are made of synthetic materials which may react adversely to various cleaning and disinfecting agents. We advise the following practices for cleaning and protecting your keys:

• Avoid cleaners (both liquid and saturated wipe-type cleaners) that contain harsh ingredients including alcohol (isopropyl), chlorine, ethanol, benzene, peroxide, and salts. These ingredients contribute to discoloration and cracking.
• If a player uses hand sanitizer that contains any of the above ingredients, please make sure their hands are completely dry before touching the keyboard.
• Use a microfiber cloth dampened with lukewarm water, with a small amount of dish soap, and wrung out enough that water does not drip on the keys. Wipe down the keys in a ‘toward the player’ motion.
• Finally, using a third, dried microfiber cloth wipe down the keys in a ‘toward the player’ motion until all the keys are dry.
• Keep the key cover closed at all times when the piano is not in use.
• Cleaning your hands before playing is recommended and will ensure a high level of playability throughout the life of your piano.

Note: These recommendations do not guarantee disinfection of the keys, and many currently popular disinfectants may damage keytops over time.