How to Take Care of a Digital Piano so That it Lasts Longer

To take care of your digital piano so that it lasts longer, it’s imperative to keep it clean and free of dust and liquid. While buying a digital piano is relatively easy, you need to make sure it’s properly maintained. Your digital piano may be in need of a good scrubbing every once in a while. While it requires less work than an acoustic piano, that doesn’t mean you should completely neglect it.

Any instrument needs proper maintenance or it can get damaged. You can always try hiring professional cleaning services, but they may not always be trustworthy. In this case, you should turn to the only one you can trust with your most prized possession: yourself.

There are a couple of things you need to consider to ensure your digital piano remains in prime condition.

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Keeping Your Piano in the Proper Place

Here are some ideas of where you should and shouldn’t place your piano.

• Avoid placing the piano near any doors or entrances. Any person entering can easily bump into the instrument. Not only will your piano get damaged, but people could also get injured.
• Keep it away from any windows. Any objects thrown in can easily hit the piano. Not to mention that dust that can gather on it through an open window.
• In addition, keep your piano in a place where there is no sunlight so the electronics do not get damaged.
• While it may grant a majestic look to your pool, placing a piano near the pool can result in heavy water damage from splashes. A tiny bump, and your piano may end up in the pool.
• Another example of bad placement is beside the fireplace where ash and dust can easily gather. Your piano could fall in the fire resulting in severe damage to the electronics.
• Moisture and electronics do not mix! Keep your piano in a place where there are minimum sources of water and where humidity is at a minimum. This eliminates dingy basements or rooms with leaking pipes.
• Keep it in a temperature-moderated space. Rises and drops in temperature can result in cracks due to expansion and contraction of the material. Also, the colour may fade.

All in all, choose a part of the house that is away from sunlight, moisture, humidity, and changes in temperature.

Covering Your Piano

A grand piano in your living room may look royal, however, you need to cover it up when you’re not using it. Digital pianos can collect a lot of damage due to dust and water. Keeping it covered will help protect the piano from external elements. In addition, you can always buy a cover that matches the style of your living room to maintain that aura of extravagance.

Contrary to what you may think, a cover is not only for traveling or long-term storage. It can even be a simple cloth that protects your piano when you’re not playing it. Moreover, dust can even accumulate under the cover, so we recommend dusting your piano regularly.

Otherwise, dust can heavily affect sensors and other electronic components within your piano. If you live in a generally sandy area, you can try buying a digital piano that comes completely sealed.

Cleaning Your Digital Piano

The first step to cleaning your piano is to take a look at the instruction manual that came with it. Most manufacturers state what you should clean it with or their preferred cleaning method. Not just any household cleaner will work. These cleaners often contain harsh chemicals that can end up ruining the look and functionality of your digital piano.

Look online for gentler products that are specifically made for cleaning pianos. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a cheaper option, you can try mixing a few drops of dish soap with warm water.

Additionally, remember to use a white cloth to wipe down a piano as a colored cloth may leak its dyes. Make sure that the cloth is not dripping with water. Instead, it should only be slightly damp.

Next, use the cloth to gently wipe down each key, one by one. Then, use a dry white cloth to wipe down the moisture on the keys.

For nooks and crannies, use a Q-tip to clean. Dip the Q-tip into the mixture and wipe down the surface. It is important to clean all corners without any water dropping into the keys. You can use a hair dryer at the coolest setting to eliminate all remaining moisture. Do not use it at a higher setting as it can result in the sudden expansion of the components due to heat.

Caring for the Electronics

Another important part that most owners neglect is electronic care. Maintaining proper care of the electronics can result in your piano lasting you a long time. This can include small things such as:

• Ensuring that the outlet you plug into has proper voltage. Sometimes, outlets may receive a fluctuating or high voltage that can damage your electronics.
• Do not plug in anything else in that same outlet. Otherwise, you run the risk of overloading the outlet.
• Do not pull the plug. Instead, turn the piano off and then unplug it.
• Never clean the piano while it’s still plugged in. Also, ensure all dirt, debris, and moisture are removed from the piano before you play it.
• Do not leave it on for long periods of time. Always turn it off and remove the plug after you’re done playing.

Parting Notes

These basic care instructions can help increase the longevity of your digital piano. Of course, you can try different cleaning methods according to the suggestions of your manufacturer. Each piano is different, and what works for one may not work for the other.

All in all, the better you take care of your piano, the longer it will last. This, in turn, means that you can enjoy it longer. Your digital piano is a treasure, so why not treat it like that? 

If you happen to damage or break any of you keys please see our full guide on how to fix digital piano keys.