Looking after your instrument
c			Tuning and maintenance Your piano should be tuned twice a year when the seasons change.  At this time your tuner/technician should also deal with any minor defects, especially if you give advance warning. Regulation of the action (the mechanisms) may be needed every few years so that your piano sounds at its very best.  Ask me for details of a recommended tuner.  When you first buy a piano, or move house, it can take a few weeks for the piano to settle, after which it should be tuned.  Heating Try to keep the temperature and humidity at a steady level, to keep your piano in tune for longer, and to avoid problems with the actions and sticking keys.  Around 20ºC and 50% humidity is ideal!   Most houses tend to be a bit too dry for pianos, but houseplants help put extra moisture into the air.  Position Your piano is better off on an inner wall than an outer wall, and not in direct sunlight or against a radiator.  Positioning it at a slight angle to the wall or at least not flush to the wall will make it sound quieter (useful for occupants of terraced and semi-detached properties!)   Using caster cups or placing your piano a carpeted surface will also absorb sound, whereas a wooden floor will allow it to fully resonate. Cleaning Use window cleaner to clean the case and keys of lacquered and satin finish pianos. Lightly knock any dust off first, as the dust can act as an abrasive.  Only use a tiny amount of window cleaner on a lint-free cloth, and clean in long straight lines rather than circles to prevent swirling.  Don't use any cleaner on ivory keys as they are sensitive to moisture.  You can use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to clean the dust out of the inside of your piano; take off the lower panel of the piano.
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