A piano is not a cheap instrument by any means. It is a significant investment that, if made well, will provide you a lifetime of beautiful music. It is important to realize that the best quality pianos are almost always the highest in price – and this is because they are painstakingly crafted from the best materials by the best piano manufacturers in the world. However, while a piano can be pricey, it can end up being a much more expensive investment if it is not properly cared for. In order to keep your piano in its best condition, and to help it maintain its best sound, it is imperative that you service your piano with routine maintenance.
In order to ensure your piano continues to provide you with a full rich sound without excessive repairs and other expenses, you should be sure to purchase piano care supplies. Here are some of the most important piano care services and the supplies they require:
Piano Tuning – Pianos must be tuned regularly. For household pianos, you should try to tune them about every six months. However, for concert hall pianos, you should tune them prior to every performance to ensure top tonal quality. Some piano owners prefer to have experts come out and tune their pianos for them, but if you learn how to do this on your own you can end up saving yourself money. To tune a piano, you will need a tuning hammer. However, be careful not to tune to tightly or you can cause serious (and expensive) damage.
Voicing – When you press down on a key, the hammer hits the string. Over time, the felt tips of the hammers will harden and grooves will form from the pressure against the string. When this happens, the hammer may not be able to hit the string quite as precisely, which can diminish the power of the sound. Additionally, the sound may become harsh. In order to return the piano to its original voice, the hammers can be softened using voicing needles and hardening agents. This sort of work should only be completed by someone with the necessary skills and experience.
Cleaning – Tuning and voicing are two forms of piano care that should only be performed by trained specialists. However, regular cleaning can be performed by any piano owner. You should always do your best 
to keep foods and liquids away from your piano to prevent spills, and keep the lid closed to keep dust from accumulating between the keys. However, if a spill takes place, you will need to remedy the situation immediately. Remove the keys and wipe them clean with a grease cutting solution that can be purchased at many music stores. Be sure to disassemble and reassemble your piano very carefully to avoid further damage.
Polishing – Like any other piece of fine furniture in your home, a piano will need to be dusted and polished regularly to maintain its elegant appearance. For dust, use a soft and gentle feather duster or soft dry cloth. If your piano is made of wood, you can use a gentle wood furniture polish. However, if you have any question as to what piano care products you can and cannot use on your piano, the experts here at Cooper Piano will be happy to answer your questions.
What products have you found that work best when cleaning your piano?