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In the workshop,I always buff the keys with a buffing wheel,but am wondering what people are using to clean keys in customers houses?
Not looking for any major operations to whiten keys or anything like that but just as part of regulating the action it's nice to clean up the keys a bit too.
Is there a good product for this?

Thanks, Lewis.

Brasso, meppo, or even T-cut works just fine. Any white residue left on the sharps easily wipes off when dry.

Do they sell packets of glass cleaner wipes in England? That's what I use. They work for cleaning finger prints off high gloss cabinet parts as well. I clean the keys before I tune every piano. They make disinfectant wipes as well. One packet lasts me about a week, and easily fits in the tool case. They cost $3 to $4 in the USA

Thanks. Yes you can buy glass cleaning wipes, i'll definitely give them a try.Seems very handy for the tool case!

I remember using T-Cut on some keys just before it was going out to a customer, and a piano mover said he would be worried about the 'ammonia causing damage', but i wasn't really sure. I've been a bit hesitant to use it after that!

Obviously you have never had any problems so maybe it's ok then.

"Solvol Autosol" metal cleaner, available in tubes at Halfords car shops in the UK can also be very good and won't damage or discolour ivory.

Inclined to cavil a little at the price of Cory cleaning products, I looked into various surfactants, and made up a key cleaning detergent of my own, also very good for cleaning high gloss casework, laptop screens and glasses! I've never marketed it though.

I like Cory Key-Brite. It's specifically for piano keys... ivory or plastic, it doesn't matter. It's also OK for keyboards.

I've never had a problem with it nor heard of anyone having a problem with it.

I like the idea that it's advertised for piano keys. If a problem should develop after using, someone is there to take responsibility (other than me ).

I'm sure other products are just fine as well. But, if they are being used in a way for which they weren't intended, obviously the manufacturers aren't liable.

Most piano supply houses carry it (probably cheapest). You can also find it on Amazon or by just using a search engine.

Thank you very much for the suggestions, that was just what I was looking for.
I will give them all a try.

I usually just use a paper towel with a little lemon juice on it. Particularly suited to ivory, and bonus of no chemical, for any customers that might be sensitive to such things.

My 1978 Yamaha C7 has the original, one-piece ivory key-tops. When I first got the piano, I went through a lengthy process cleaning and polishing the key-tops, with excellent results. Over time, the ivory has gotten dingy and dirty looking again, even though I always try to wash my hands before playing. Oddly enough the dirty key-tops don't seem to bother me as much and they have a fantastic grip!

Which composer was it that railed against cleaning the key-tops before his performances?

Otherwise, I used a little vinegar and water or common household glass cleaner or mild dish-soap.

Initially, I used white tooth-paste and a lot of elbow grease to polish them, with good results.

Rick

Yamaha ivorite key top.
Sanding and buffing before after.

https://goo.gl/photos/LU2LRwNiR7W24kmR8

Early Ivorite keys would get dirty and the dirt would not wash off. Yamaha will replace those keytops. As far as I know, they still do it.

When I looked at the picture Pro TAC posted regarding the ivorite key-tops, it reminded me of the first time I saw and played a Yamaha C7 (which inspired me to want one). It was at a big piano store in Atlanta, and they said they had just got the C7 in on a trade. You could tell the piano had some age on it, but the key-tops were extremely yellow an dingy looking... like the ones in the photo, except with multiple chips on the front edges. I honestly didn't think real ivory got that yellow and dingy looking; maybe a little yellowish. So, that C7 must have had the ivorite key-tops.

My C7 has the one-piece ivory key-tops as far as I know (circa 1978). And, the dirty key-tops clean up well when washed and cleaned. I may well replace the key-tops one day, but they are still in good condition in my view, though they need cleaning again.

Rick

for infomation about yamaha new ivory.

c7a c7b 1983-1990
c5a c5b 1985-1990
c3a c5b 1985-1990
new ivory 2nd,3rd generation
reinstall all black keys and reinstall all white keys or buffing key top.
never use keycleaner and never use damp cloth. wipe with only dry cloth.

c3e c5e c7e 1990-1994
new ivory 4th generation
wipe up with damp cloth.
key clearner only use for white key.

new ivory - cannot bleach.
real ivory - can bleach.