How to Clean & Whiten Piano Keys: Gentle to Abrasive

Kevin Busse Nov 28, 2024

366 People Read

How do you clean and whiten Keytops?

The best solution for white keys does not always require harsh chemicals to restore its original color.

Here are simple steps for cleaning and whitening the keys of your piano with multiple methods from gentle to abrasive.

Applying one or a few of these methods will guarantee you achieve the lightest key tops possible for your piano.

If at first the provided solution doesn’t work, scroll down further to see other methods that are increasingly abrasive.

*Please note that some key tops are intentionally off-white.

Types of Keys: Ivory Tops Vs. Plastic Piano Keys

For the most part, Ivory Keys, Plastic Keys or Ivorite keys are cleaned the same way, especially the gentle methods.

Article: How to tell if piano keys are made of ivory or plastic

However, as for whitening, there are advanced methods that require specialized equipment, typically owned by professional piano technicians that may or may not be the best thing, which depends on the material of the key.

Consult a piano technician for your specific piano keytop material (ivory, Ivorite, or plastic).

Ivory

Ivory Keytops

There are Ivory cleaning solutions available specifically formulated to clean ivory keys.

Ask Kevin about it!

Ivorite

Ivorite keys

Ivorite keys are intended to feel closer to ivory keys yet are still plastic, the texture of the key being the major difference, which may influence the color of the key.

Plastic

Plastic Piano Keys

All digital piano keys are made up of plastic or Ivorite key tops rather than actual ivory keytops.

#1 Damp Cloth with a mild mixture

The 1st step of the cleaning process is to take a clean cloth and fill a spray bottle with the mixture described below.

Spray onto the soft cloth and rub the keys.

Cleaning Spray bottle

What do I clean piano keys with?

Recommended Mixture:

1/5 parts Rubbing Alcohol
1/5 parts Fantastik
3/5 parts Water

Get a clean damp cloth and spray the mixture to the cloth. Wipe down the keys using firm pressure to remove the dirt, stains, and discoloration.

It is also acceptable to use "cheese cloth" (gauze/muslin) as an alternative to a cloth made out of a T-shirt because the material is softer.

Clean keys first by using this solution before attempting to whiten the color of the keys.

…if that doesn’t yet work, try #2!

#2 Fantastik

Fantastik

For stubborn stains, spray cleaning products like Fantastik (a degreaser) directly onto the cloth and wipe down the keys with firm pressure.

This is an effective method if the mixture mentioned above does not remove the filth quickly or effectively.

Choosing to use Fantastik is effective if there is a significant amount of filth that takes multiple attempts to remove from the keys.

Avoid bleach-based disinfectants!

... If that doesn't work, try #3!

#3 70% Isopropyl Alcohol

Rubbing Alcohol

Depending on the kind of material of plastic on your piano, it's rare, yet possible that the keys could be damaged by solvents like pure rubbing alcohol.

While unlikely, it is a good idea to start out with gentle cleaning solutions first and work your way up.

…if that doesn’t work, try #4!

#4 How to remove scotch tape from piano keys?

Odorless Mineral Spirits

The absolute best way to remove foreign substances like scotch tape is to get a different cloth and saturate a portion of it with mineral spirits.

...if that doesn’t work, try #5!

#5 Compound

Menzerna 400 Compound

How should I polish my piano keys?

Another helpful tip to clean a key and rid it of particulates is to apply and rub “compound” by Menzerna to the key.

Compound has some grit in the mixture that can grind down particulates that won’t rub off with a soft damp cloth on its own.

When working with compound be sure to have a few paper towels nearby to keep your workspace clean.

A reliable ”compound” used by piano technicians like me is called “Menzerna.” Various grits may be used, but 400 is effective for most purposes.

...if that doesn’t work, try #6!

#6 Ultra Fine Sand Paper

Sand paper

In order to remove substances that really won’t come off of the piano key is using ultra fine sand paper.

Use the sandpaper to apply fine scratches to any abnormal spec of material on the top of the key.

Warning: You will scratch your piano key and remove key material if you do not use sand paper that is a high enough grit. So, don't use too much pressure to remove unsightly specs of a small area from the keytops.

You will also scratch your piano key if you apply the sand paper beyond the substance that you were trying to remove.

...if that doesn’t work, #7!

#7 replace the key

Replace keys

Piano technicians should be able to source the correct piano key for your piano.

The piano technician will need the brand, model, and serial number of your piano to find the closest matching key available.

Beware, the final result may not be perfect due to the vast amount of subtle differences between piano key manufacturers.

...if that doesn’t work, try #8!

#8 replace the key set

This will take a significant amount of time, effort, and cost in order to replace all 88 keys. It may very well end up costing thousands of dollars (unless it's a dozen or so keys).

When you have the whole set of keys replaced by a qualified piano technician, it may require removing the keys/action from the piano and be completed in a piano workshop.

Working on the keys in the piano technicians' workshop allows workers to spend quality time and make final improvements before the keys are returned to the house.

If the technician does all work in the home, they will likely do a satisfactory job, however, there will be imperfections that are impractical to properly address within the time constraints of 1 appointment.

#9 Buffing/Polishing

Buffer polish

Buffing and polishing should be done by a professional who has a workshop that is setup for doing this job.

It is possible to take a buffing wheel to go over the plastic keys and have it returned to its original whiteness.

It's important to note however, that the friction resulting from the circular motion of the buffer may burn or melt part of the key, or even change the shape of the sides of the keys.

This is exactly why it is necessary to have this done by a professional.

Can Ivory piano keys be cleaned, bleached, and polished?

Yes, if you are interested in having your Ivory keys bleached or polished, it is best to contact a professional who is properly setup to perform this service at the workshop.

Please inquire if you need the contact information of a qualified specialist for a job like this.

#10 Buy a new piano

New piano

If cleaning the keytops doesn’t seem to work and whitening keytops is cost prohibitive, it may be time to consider whether it's worth getting a new piano.

This will prevent you from throwing good money after bad. This also eliminates the process of finding someone who is both willing to do the job and achieve a satisfactory result.