cleaning action and keys?

[erinspice]

I desparately need to clean my action and keys as they are so dusty that it is affecting my allergies.  I know I can't use water (on the keys at least).  I was told by a repairman to use gasoline, but it gave me headaches for days the last time I did that.  What can I use to clean the inner workings of my piano?

[daniloperusina]

Is it an upright?
In that case, take off the front- and key cover; locate the bolts holding the action in place and unscrew them; look at the left side and find the sticks that go to the the pedals. You have to lift out the action, but avoid breaking off those two sticks; also you have to be able to put the action back again, and remember how the sticks were connected. The action should be quite easy to lift out. You shouldn't try to clean anything in the action itself, very easy to damage.

Next step would be to lift out all the keys; notice the wooden rail on top of them, going from left to right, which you have to unscrew as well. Then simply lift out each key, one at a time. Under them, you'll probably find lot's of dust! Vacuum clean here, but carefully! Don't vacuum the felt parts.

Also, take off the lower cover (by your knees); surely lots of dust there too. Vacuum with care.

At most, a slightly wet cloth can be used, but not wet enough so that water is dripping from it! That is sufficient for cleaning the surface of ivory keys.

If you are allergic, I think it's important to clean your piano from dust, but if you find it too tricky to dismount and mount back again, hire a professional. If you make a mistake you could cause serious damage to your piano.

[erinspice]

At most, a slightly wet cloth can be used, but not wet enough so that water is dripping from it! That is sufficient for cleaning the surface of ivory keys.

Lol. that would have done it right there. Thank you.

[quantum]

It is also likely that the dust inside the piano (which you can't see) is also affecting your allergies.  Maybe you may want to just open the cover and check exactly how much dust is in there.

[knabe31]

Hi, I recently had my piano worked on. Several sticky keys and the action in general was sluggish. The technician use lighter fluid on the felt on the action. He squirted it on and within 10 minutes everything was back to normal. I couldn't believe it. There was a little smell for a few hours but, after that it gone. Don';t know if I would dare do it myself but, you might ask your piano tuner next time they are there about it. Hope this help.