How to Clean Electric Piano Keyboard Keys

An electric piano is a pretty expensive purchase, so it makes all of the sense in the world to keep it in great condition. One way to do this is to make sure that the keyboard keys are cleaned on a regular basis. If you have no idea how to do this, read on. I am about to give you useful tips that will help you spruce things up – without causing any damage.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Since the keys of a piano are white, you might think that using a mixture of bleach and water may be an effective way to clean them. WRONG! That is the total opposite of the correct thing to do. You should actually avoid using any harsh chemicals when you are trying to remove dirt and debris from a digital piano’s keyboard.

The best solution is actually lukewarm water that contains a few drops of mild dish soap. Make sure that you mix this well so all of the cleaner is evenly distributed.

Use A White Cloth

It is crucial that you only use plain, soft, white cloths when you are cleaning digital piano keys. If you use something that has color, there is a chance that the dye used to change the cloth color will bleed and cause some damage.

Do not submerge the cloth in the soapy mixture. You don’t want to soak the rag and have the water run inside the piano. The idea is to dampen it a little on one corner and glide it across each key individually.

Once you have wiped down the key, use the dry part of the same cloth to remove any moisture that may be left behind. You should take your time and give each key special attention since any water left behind can create a serious problem. Make sure it is completely dry.

Grab A Cotton Swab

This is the best tool for getting into the hard to reach places of your piano’s keyboard, like the corners of the keys. Dip the swab in the soapy mixture ever so slightly and use it to gently clean any bothersome dirt or debris. You can use the other end of the swab to dry the surface and make sure that you don’t leave any water behind. Like I said above, avoid oversoaking the swab. Moisture is the enemy of digital piano keys, so take the time to remove any sign of moisture or water.

Purchase A Soft Brush

There will be hard to reach areas that you cannot get to while using a cloth or swab like between the keys. Those places can be reached if you use a soft brush with long bristles on them. A paintbrush, makeup brush or barber brush are all options. Just make sure they are very soft. Anything too hard can cause slight scratches. Scratches create places for dirt to hide and will create the need for more frequent cleanings.

Allow Lots of Time

You will have to set aside a good amount of time when cleaning your piano. It is a tedious and manual process. But, trying to speed through the process is a recipe for disaster. Being patient and diligent means that you will be able to protect your investment, so take your time and make sure to do things correctly.

Step by Step: How to Clean Digital Piano Keys

Follow these steps to get your piano keys good and clean.

1. Lightly brush or blow off large pieces of dust and debris.
2. Mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid and lukewarm water in a bowl.
3. Lightly dampen the corner of a soft, white cloth in the liquid without over-soaking it.
4. Gently wipe down the keys in a linear motion without scrubbing.
5. Immediately dry the keys with a dry area of the cloth.
6. Use a cotton swab and the cleaning solution to clean areas the cloth doesn’t reach.
7. Clean hard to reach areas between keys with a soft paint brush or shaving brush.
8. Dry each key as you go.

Follow this procedure and your piano keyboard will be as good as new in no time. Just take your time, keep the keys as dry as possible, and work your way down the keyboard.

Do you have any other tips for cleaning your electric piano keyboard? Please share your tips and experiences in the comments below!