Why do piano keys get sticky?

Primarily, piano keys will stick as a result of an increase in humidity. A piano is a complex piece of machinery, and is made up of thousands and thousands of moving parts, made mostly of wood. With humidity changes, wood expands and contracts and this can cause keys to stick or become sluggish.

How do you clean sticky keys on a piano?

Mix a solution of one-part dish soap and four parts water. Take a separate cotton cloth and lightly dab it into the liquid. The cloth should only be damp and cover an area the size of your fingertip. Start cleaning the keys from the lowest white note on your piano, and work your way up.

How do you make piano keys less sticky?

Now that you know how to clean your piano keys, keep them clean by washing your hands before you play. Keeping your piano out of heat and protecting it against changes in humidity also help to prevent sticky keys.

Why are my piano keys so hard to press?

When the parts of the action are not adjusted correctly, or are out of alignment, it will create extra friction. This extra friction is what makes the keys feel heavy or stiff, and makes it hard to press down on the keys. Another cause of heavy keys are action parts that need to be lubricated.

Can you clean piano keys with alcohol?

Rubbing alcohol is a good option if you want to clean and disinfect the keys at the same time. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a clean soft cloth. Then, wipe down each key from top to bottom. Once you have wiped all the keys, use another clean cloth to dry the keys.

How do you make a piano key easier to push?

Slowly press down the keys and listen very carefully if there is some rubing noise. If there is, the action may be sticking and need lubricating. Even if there is no sound, lubricating the action pins will reduce the friction, thereby lightening the touch, although barely noticeable.

What are dampers on piano?

When a finger is taken away from a key, a “damper” pad stops the note from ringing out. The sustain pedal removes the dampers from the strings, allowing notes to ring out for longer, even when the keys are not held down anymore. That’s why it is also called the “damper” pedal.