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Chosen by a concert pianist

Piano Care: Dust Covers, Humidity and Polish

Piano care at home comes down to three things: a dust cover for the keys, a hygrometer to watch the room's humidity and a polish made for your piano's finish. Here is what I would keep on hand.

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An instrument lasts longer when it is kept clean and the room is stable. Dust covers are inexpensive, a hygrometer shows what your room is doing, and a proper polish suits a gloss finish. I list each item as its listing describes it and leave the fine print to the product page.

Why trust a concert pianist's picks?

I recommend this gear because it is what my adult students need to work through my free 41-lesson course and, later, to use with my upcoming method books. I am a concert pianist and a university piano professor, and these are the kinds of tools I look at first when a student asks what to buy.

What does a piano need to stay in good shape?

  • The right size. A cover for an 88-key keyboard should say so.
  • A soft material that will not scratch the keys or finish.
  • A way to see humidity. A hygrometer shows what the room does through the seasons.
  • A finish-appropriate polish. Gloss pianos need a polish made for gloss.
  • Compatibility. Humidifier treatments belong to specific systems.

How does piano care help you practice?

How this helps you learn: an instrument that is clean, covered and ready to play makes it easier to sit down every day.

Which piano care products should I buy?

Budget picks

7 picks
Illustration of a keyboard cover — 88-Key Keyboard Dust Cover
Online Piano University pickKeyboard cover

88-Key Keyboard Dust Cover

Dust cover for 88-key digital pianos. Looking after the instrument costs far less than replacing it.

I suggest it for a keyboard that stays out in a living room between practice sessions.

Check today's price on Amazon
Illustration of a keyboard cover — Explore Land 88-Key Piano Keyboard Cover
Explore LandKeyboard cover

88-Key Piano Keyboard Cover

The listing says 88-key keyboard dust cover. Read the listing for size and compatibility.

I suggest it for a keyboard that stays out in a living room between practice sessions.

Check today's price on Amazon
Illustration of a keyboard cover — Soft Piano Keyboard Dust Cover, 88 Keys
Online Piano University pickKeyboard cover

Soft Piano Keyboard Dust Cover, 88 Keys

In short, soft felt-style key cover. A stable room and a clean instrument last longer.

I suggest it for a keyboard that stays out in a living room between practice sessions.

Check today's price on Amazon
Illustration of a keyboard cover — Anti-Dust Piano Keyboard Cover
Online Piano University pickKeyboard cover

Anti-Dust Piano Keyboard Cover

Anti-dust keyboard cover. Small care items are easy to forget and easy to do.

I suggest it for a keyboard that stays out in a living room between practice sessions.

Check today's price on Amazon
Illustration of a hygrometer — TempPro TempAir Digital Hygrometer
TempProHygrometer

TempAir Digital Hygrometer

Looking after the instrument costs far less than replacing it. Here: room humidity monitor for pianos.

I suggest it for an acoustic piano owner who wants to see what the room's humidity does through the seasons.

Check today's price on Amazon
Illustration of a hygrometer — TempPro TP50 Digital Hygrometer
TempProHygrometer

TP50 Digital Hygrometer

In short, humidity and temperature reading. Read the listing for size and compatibility.

I suggest it for an acoustic piano owner who wants to see what the room's humidity does through the seasons.

Check today's price on Amazon
Illustration of a hygrometer — TempPro TP49 Digital Hygrometer, 3-Pack
TempProHygrometer

TP49 Digital Hygrometer, 3-Pack

The listing says 3-pack hygrometers. A stable room and a clean instrument last longer.

I suggest it for an acoustic piano owner who wants to see what the room's humidity does through the seasons.

Check today's price on Amazon

Mid-range picks

3 picks
Illustration of a piano care kit — MusicNomad 3-Piece Care Kit for Gloss Pianos
MusicNomadPiano care kit

3-Piece Care Kit for Gloss Pianos

Small care items are easy to forget and easy to do. Here: cleaning and polish kit for gloss finishes.

I suggest it for the owner of a gloss-finish acoustic piano.

Check today's price on Amazon
Illustration of piano humidifier care — Dampp-Chaser Humidifier Pad Treatment
Dampp-ChaserPiano humidifier care

Humidifier Pad Treatment

Humidifier pad treatment for Dampp-Chaser systems. Looking after the instrument costs far less than replacing it.

I suggest it for an owner of a piano humidity-control system that uses these pads.

Check today's price on Amazon
Illustration of piano humidifier care — Dampp-Chaser Piano Humidifier Pad Treatment, 7.5 oz
Dampp-ChaserPiano humidifier care

Piano Humidifier Pad Treatment, 7.5 oz

The listing says humidifier pad treatment. Read the listing for size and compatibility.

I suggest it for an owner of a piano humidity-control system that uses these pads.

Check today's price on Amazon

What do owners ask about piano care?

Should I cover my keyboard keys?

A dust cover keeps dust off the keys and the music rest area when the instrument is not in use. Choose one that fits your keyboard.

Why does a piano room need a hygrometer?

A stable room is better for a piano than a swinging one, and a hygrometer shows you what your room actually does.

Can I use household polish on a gloss piano?

I would not. Use a kit made for gloss finishes, as the MusicNomad listing describes.

Do digital pianos need care too?

Less than acoustic pianos, but dust and spills on the keys are still worth preventing.

Where should you read next?

What else might you need?

Would you rather learn than buy more gear?

The shop exists to support your learning. The learning itself can start free: all 41 lessons of my beginner course are published, and I give feedback on your playing at no charge. When you want a teacher, I take private students online.

Questions? Want feedback on your playing?

Send a message or attach a recording. Email, phone and how you found us help me answer you properly.

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