Sweating piano

[ahmedito]

My favourite piano in my school to practice on is a Kawai that has very nice sound and good mechanism for practice. The problem is that since the colder weather started, it tends to "sweat". The keys get a bit cold, humid wet and greasy.

Why does this happen? What can one do to correct it?

[pianistimo]

is this piano in a practice room or is it in a larger room?  seems like humidity and heat/cold can be controlled better in practice rooms.  as for the grease, i sometimes bring my own paper towel (slightly wetted) and just wipe down the keys and dry with a dry paper towel.  others use disinfectant wipes (facial, or hand).  this is probably the BESt idea in flu season - considering how many people practice on a given piano.

[Axtremus]

Is it possible that another student/pianist who also likes to practice on this piano has sweaty palms/fingers?

Would it help if you carry a little handkerchief with you and wipe the keyboard just prior to your practice session?

[ahmedito]

No, the piano literally sweats, the keys get all wet. And the grease on my hand seems to rub off and stay on the keys easier.

Its not someone else.

[quantum]

I wouldn't use disinfectant wipes on the keys though.  Higher end pianos may have a special key surface designed to prevent slipping and the alcohol in those wipes could dry out the keys surface.  In university I used to use a damp paper towel to wipe down the keys before I practiced. 

It's always a good habit to wash your hands after playing such pianos to prevent transfer of germs. 

As for the sweating piano, I'm guessing it has something to do with the temperature or humidity in the room. 

[ahmedito]

I was thinking that it is cold now, and when I play I tend to have my hands very warm and the keys tend to get warmer, then I leave the room and leave the door open, so the sudden change from warm to cold might have something to do with the humidity condensing on the keys.