A piano is an expensive investment, but it's also a worthwhile one. Pianos are built to last not just years, but generations, so the piano you buy today could remain in your family as an heirloom long after you're gone. However, in order to ensure that your piano lasts and remains functional as long as it should, it's important to put the time and effort into taking care of it. Take a look at some important maintenance tips that will help keep your piano in great shape.

Cleaning

Keeping your piano clean isn't difficult, but it's an important part of piano ownership. If you've ever cleaned a fine wooden table or chair, cleaning a piano isn't much different. Use a feather duster to keep the dust off of it, and wipe it down with a damp (not wet) cloth, followed by a dry cloth. Soap is not usually necessary, but if the piano is unusually soiled, you can use a damp cloth with a mild cleanser and water solution, followed by a cloth dampened in clear water, followed by a dry cloth.

You can also use a damp cloth to clean the keys of the piano. After wiping the keys, leave the keyboard cover up overnight. This will help air out the space between the keys and discourage mold growth.

Tuning

Piano tuning is easily overlooked, especially by people who use the piano only occasionally. It may not seem important to have the piano in perfect tune. But it's more important than you think – if the piano is detuned for too long, it can seriously damage the piano.

You should not try to tune the piano yourself. You could accidentally break a string, bend a pin, or damage the pin block. Plus, a professional tuner is more likely to notice early problems with the piano so that you can fix them before they become severe. A professional piano tuning costs between $60 and $155. Pianos that are kept in good shape and not seriously detuned tend to cost less to tune, so have your piano tuned seasonally, and you'll be able to keep your tuning fees down.

Climate

One of the reasons that pianos should be tuned seasonally is because the change in the weather affects the piano's tuning, among other things. You can lessen this effect, and protect your piano, by ensuring that your home's climate is optimal for the piano.

Controlling the climate is about more than just temperature. While extreme temperature changes can certainly harm your piano, keeping your home comfortable for you probably means that it will be comfortable for your piano. However, controlling the humidity in your piano's environment is even more important. Too much or too little humidity can cause the wood to warp. The ideal humidity for a piano is around 40%. Don't place your piano near windows, doors, or heating and air conditioning vents. Use a dehumidifier if necessary to help maintain the proper humidity in your home.

It's not difficult to maintain a piano, and if you put in the effort to do so, you'll be pleased with how well your piano holds up over time. For more information, contact companies like Las Vegas Pianos.