Unlock the Harmony

Why Your Piano Needs Proper Storage Preparation

Love your piano like we do? Our friendly guide walks you through the essentials of piano care for storage, from the right way to clean to keeping it at the perfect humidity. Keep your piano playing beautifully for years.
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Safeguard Your Musical Treasure

The Critical Importance of Piano Storage Preparation

The majestic piano, a timeless instrument of harmony and elegance, holds not just sentimental value but is also a significant investment. Preparing your piano for storage is paramount in preserving its quality, playability, and value. Without proper preparation, your piano is at risk of damage from humidity, temperature changes, dust, and pests—issues that can lead to costly repairs or irreversible damage.
This guide is part of our Musical Instrument Storage series, and it illuminates the path to safeguarding your piano’s integrity, ensuring it continues to create beautiful music for years to come. Let’s embark on this journey of preparation, highlighting the importance of meticulous care in storing your cherished instrument.
Key Steps to Harmony

How to Protect Your Piano for the Long Pause

Step-by-Step Instructions for Preparing Pianos for Storage:
  • Clean the Piano
    Begin by thoroughly cleaning your piano. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe down the keys and a damp cloth (not wet) for the body. Avoid using chemical cleaners, as they can damage the wood and finish.
  • Climate Control
    Store your piano in a climate-controlled environment. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can warp the wood and damage the internal mechanisms. Ideally, keep the humidity level around 42% and the temperature steady, around 20°C (68°F).
  • Cover and Protect
    Use a soft piano cover to protect the instrument from dust and scratches. For grand pianos, ensure the lid is closed and locked.
  • Positioning
    Upright pianos should be stored against an interior wall to minimize exposure to temperature changes. Grand pianos should be placed on their legs, not on their side, to prevent damage.
  • Prevent Pest Damage
    Place mothballs or natural alternatives like lavender bags around the piano to deter pests. Ensure the storage area is clean and free from rodents or insects.
  • Tuning and Maintenance
    Have your piano tuned and serviced by a professional before storage. This ensures that any issues are addressed before they worsen over time.
Unlock the Symphony of Savings

Store Your Piano with Us and Save

By meticulously preparing your piano for storage, you are not just preserving an instrument but protecting a vessel of memories and melodies. The benefits of proper preparation include maintaining your piano’s aesthetic appeal, ensuring its playability, and safeguarding your investment. At Perfect Storage, we understand the value of your treasured piano. That’s why we offer specialized climate-controlled storage units designed to keep your piano in pristine condition. And, to hit a high note, we’re offering a 10% discount on our storage services. Secure your piano’s future and ensure it continues to bring music into your life. Request a quote today and harmonize your storage needs with our expert solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions

Piano Storage FAQ

When it comes to storing pianos, people often have several common questions to ensure they are doing it correctly and safely. Here are popular FAQs about storing pianos in New York City:

To store a piano properly, whether for a short or long period, there are some common steps to follow. First, clean the piano thoroughly with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and oils, focusing on the keys, exterior, and interior components. Protect the keys with a key cover and close the lid to prevent dust accumulation. Store the piano in a climate-controlled environment to maintain stable temperature and humidity levels, which is crucial in NYC’s changing climate.

For short-term storage, ensure the piano is kept in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Our climate-controlled facility is perfect for this. Clean the piano, cover the keys, and place a dust cover over the entire instrument to protect it.

For long-term storage, additional steps are necessary. Clean the piano more thoroughly, including the soundboard and strings, ensuring all moisture is removed. Use a high-quality piano cover to protect the entire instrument. Employ humidity control measures, such as in-case humidifiers or humidity control packs, to maintain a stable environment inside the storage area, preventing the wood from drying out or warping. If possible, check on the piano periodically to address any issues, like changes in humidity or physical damage. Our climate-controlled facility ensures consistent temperature and humidity levels, ideal for long-term storage.

By following these steps, your piano will stay in excellent condition, whether stored for weeks or months.

To prepare your piano for long-term storage, start by cleaning it thoroughly with a soft, dry cloth to remove any dust and fingerprints. Avoid using liquid cleaners as they can damage the wood and internal components. It’s recommended to have your piano serviced by a professional to ensure that all internal mechanisms are in optimal condition. Lock the keyboard lid to protect the keys, and consider applying a protective wax to the exterior surfaces to preserve the finish. Ensuring your piano is in a well-prepared state before storage helps maintain its integrity and reduces the risk of damage.
Yes, climate-controlled storage is crucial for pianos because extreme changes in temperature and humidity can lead to significant damage. Wood components can warp, and metal parts may corrode or rust, affecting the sound, tuning, and overall structure of the piano. A climate-controlled environment maintains a consistent temperature and humidity level, preventing these issues and ensuring the piano remains in excellent condition during storage.
The recommended way to wrap or cover a piano for storage involves using soft blankets or specialized piano covers to protect the surface from scratches and dust. Start by wrapping the body of the piano, ensuring that all sides are fully covered, and secure the blankets with packing tape that does not come in direct contact with the piano’s surface. For grand pianos, it’s advisable to disassemble the legs and pedal lyre, wrapping them separately. Always ensure the keyboard lid is securely closed before wrapping.
A stored piano should ideally be tuned every six months to a year, even while in storage, to maintain its pitch and sound quality. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can affect the tuning, even in a climate-controlled environment. It is possible and recommended to have your piano tuned while in storage, preferably by a professional piano tuner who can also inspect the instrument for any issues that might arise during storage.
When moving a piano into or out of storage, it’s essential to use a professional piano moving service experienced in handling such delicate instruments. Ensure the piano is properly wrapped and protected, particularly the keyboard, pedals, and legs. Use a dolly or a piano board for transportation, and avoid tilting the piano too much, as this can harm the internal mechanism. In the storage facility, place the piano away from the door and off the ground, if possible, to protect it from potential flooding or accidental impacts.
We hope these FAQs have been helpful in addressing your key questions about preparing pianos for storage. We also understand that you may have questions or concerns not covered here. If so, please ask us. Our dedicated team is always available to provide you with further information and personalized assistance. Contact us and we will make every effort to respond promptly and efficiently. Your satisfaction and understanding are our top priorities.
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