CLEANING PIANO KEYS:
95% of piano keytops are made of plastic, not ivory. To clean piano keys, use a mild solution of household
cleaner, such as "409". Apply with a soft cloth or paper towel. Take care to not "irrigate" the whole keyboard.
Avoid unusual chemicals such as acetone and finger nail polish remover on plastic keytops. Residue from stickers
or permanent markers can usually be safely removed with paint thinner. Be cautious!
Ivory can be distinguished from plastic by looking closely near the black keys. Plastic keys are one piece,
ivory keytops are usually two. There will be a visible line where the front "head" and the back "tail" portions meet
at the front of the black keys. Ivory also has a faint "grain", much like real wood. If an ivory comes unglued,
don't lose it! Replacements are hard to match. New ivory is generally not legal in this country, so miscellaneous
keytops from other used pianos is used.
Ivories are more easily damaged than plastic keys. They can be cleaned in the usual manner, but permanent
marker soaks in permanently. Older ivory can be easily chipped in the front or broken. Young children should be
instructed to be careful!
