Take pride in your investment! Using these simple guidelines can insure your instrument’s performance and beauty for years to come. If you have any questions or need a professional recommendation, contact one of our piano specialists.

Initial Tuning
Do not tune your piano immediately after delivery. This is a myth! All acoustic pianos need to acclimate to their new environment. Wait for at least six (6) weeks from delivery for the first in home tuning.

Ongoing Tunings
The first year in the home, a piano should be tuned every six (6) months. After that most instruments should be tuned no less than once a year. High use and institutional use instruments may require additional tunings. It is best to tune your piano either in early spring or early fall. Service plans are available from Rockley Music if you would like us to keep track of when to tune the instrument.

Dusting
Use either a “swifter” or a 100% untreated lamb’s wool duster. Do not substitute a cheap combination fiber duster. Use the duster only for the piano. Do not spray the piano or duster with any “en-dust” type sprays. Dust lightly - not firmly!  Always dust prior to cleaning your piano.

Recommended Piano Specific Products
Rockley music recommends the Professional Piano Products (PPP) line of cleaners for pianos. They are specifically designed for piano finishes and work very well. They have a polyester (high gloss) cleaner , satin/wood finish cleaner , key cleaner and digital piano cleaner. These are the best products for your piano and are available at Rockley Music. We have some generic solutions available below as well.

Cleaning Polyester Finishes
To remove dirt and fingerprints use either a microfiber cloth, rymple cloth (available at paint supply companies) or “Viva” paper towels. Microfibers must be clean to avoid scratching. Do not use old T-shirts or any other type of cloth. Use one of the above cloths, dampen with (PPP Polyclean or Satinclean) or clean water and wipe. With satin finishes wipe with
the grain. Always dust prior to cleaning to avoid scratching.

Cleaning Natural Wood Finishes
Do not use any product with wax or silicone! The build-up over years will cause the wood to “check” like alligator skin especially in dryer climates. Use “PPP Satin Clean” or “Freeman’s Furniture Creme” (available at most grocery stores) and mix with equal part water in a plastic spray bottle. Spray on surface and wipe same direction as the grain with a soft towel. Always
dust prior to cleaning.

Polishing Polyester Finishes
To polish out any hairline scratches in a high-gloss or mirror finish use “McGuyer’s Mirror Glaze No. 7.” (available at most auto parts or paint supply stores). Polish like you would your automobile using either a microfiber cloth, rymple cloth or “Viva” paper towels. Always dust and clean prior to polishing. For damaged finish or major scratches contact Rockley Music for a finish technician.

Key Cleaning
To clean either ivory or synthetic piano keys use “PPP Key Clean” with a clean wash cloth or take a wash cloth, firmly wring-out in mild dish-soap solution, and gently wipe keys. You can also spray “Windex” on a wash cloth and gently wipe keys. Do not spray directly on keys and do not let moisture run into the piano action.

Polishing Brass Pedals and Hardware
For solid brass pedals and case parts use “Brasso” (available at most grocery stores) and follow directions.