How do I clean my ivory keys?

[quinie]

My ivory keys feel a bit grubby - they look okay but they feel a bit sticky and they definately need a bit of a clean.

What should I clean them with?

[Barrie Heaton]

My ivory keys feel a bit grubby - they look okay but they feel a bit sticky and they definately need a bit of a clean.

What should I clean them with?

Piano Ivory Key Cleaner or Cory Key-Brite both do the job well if you use them on a regular bases they will take out any mild yellowing as well

Never put liquids direct on ivory, use a cloth and not a dripping wet one

Barrie,

[hplogi]

I just used a solution of regular hydrogen peroxide and some swabs to clean my yellowing ivory piano keys.

[sussexpianos]

The traditional methods are half a lemon, soda cristals with warm water applied with a rag or damp cloth & vineger. More modern methods are T-cut, burnishing cream or the key bright which Barry has mentioned. Stay away from bleech as it is not user friendly. The best method is to get your local tech to sand and buff the keys.

[piano-man]

For cleaning the ivory keys you should not:

1. Immerse in water

2. Scrub with a brush or even a scouring pad

3. Use any type of chemicals. Even washing up liquid can damage the previous

5. Use air-freshener anywhere near the keys or piano

Ivory should be gently wiped with a soft clean cloth and for stubborn marks or fingerprints you should first wash your hands and thereafter you can use a mild toothpaste without colour on a damp cloth but ensure that you gently rub and never scrub. Rinse with fresh milk with another lint free cloth and buff well.

You should leave the piano open on sunny days so that the keys stay bleached and don’t turn yellow. Keys that are badly discoloured or stained should be scraped and recovered by a professional piano cleaner.

[joseph]

I use dettol wipes. It might be a blasphemy to do so, but I've never had any problems and it keeps the swine flu at bay. When they get really sticky (from time to time) I use a mild solution of washing up liquid and thus far the key tops haven't been damaged.

Disclaimer. . . . . .I take no responsibility for the condition of anyone else's ivory key tops!

[Barrie Heaton]

the main thing to remember is ivory is porous any solvents will seep to the glue and compromise the glue. Most ivory was glued on with animal glue with iron oxide to make the glue white.

Milk is not a good idea it will soak into the ivory, after time it will go sour and smell. Plus it will encourage bacteria which will attack the glue.

the use of lemon is also not good as it is citric acid any dentist will tell you that over time citric acid rots teeth and it has the same effect on ivory.

One of the main ingredients of tooth past is hydrogen peroxide it is also in both Piano Ivory Key Cleaner and Cory Key-Brite.

little and often is the best way to clean ivory what way you do it

Barrie,