How to Clean Your High-Gloss Piano the Right Way

Has your glossy grand piano lost its luster? Has your Steinway seen better days? It’s not too late to beautify your piano. Using the correct products and techniques to clean your piano can extend the life of its finish and keep it looking its best.

Help! My shiny black piano looks flat and gray! 

No matter how well you clean your home, dust and fingerprints are part of life. High gloss baby grand pianos showcase dirt and grime more than those with other finishes, so it’s important to use the correct method to keep them clean and looking their best. Household cleaners can leave a milky haze on your piano’s surface, and cleaning with water can leave water spots, or worse, damage the finish. Using the wrong products may help momentarily, but extended use of the incorrect cleaners can make your piano look worse, not better.

Which polish do I need?

Your grand piano is a work of art. It’s the centerpiece of your home, and you’ll want to keep it looking its best with the right polish. Cory Super High Gloss Piano Polish is especially formulated for the reflective lacquered surfaces of grand and baby grand pianos. A high-gloss piano in good condition reflects not only light, but images. A good quality polish will restore your piano’s mirror-like surface, removing smudges, fingerprints, and haze. Static encourages dust to collect on your piano, but Cory polish breaks the static cling and resists dust to keep your piano looking new and gleaming every day.  

Why Cory?

Pianos are an investment, and it’s important to keep them in tip top shape. Cory cleaning products have been trusted by piano professionals for decades. They’re especially formulated for piano maintenance and are available for all types of piano surfaces and finishes. Water-based Cory Super High Gloss Polish combines a finish and a cleaner all in one, without leaving a slippery or waxy residue. It’s simply the easiest way to care for your piano!

How should I clean my piano?

Spray, buff, and enjoy your shiny piano! Buff high-gloss pianos in a circular motion. Always use a gentle microfiber cloth -- never use paper towels or rough cloths to buff your high-gloss piano. We recommend Cory Excalibur cleaning cloth for flawless application and easy cleaning.

How often should I clean my piano?

As often as you like! Cory products are safe to use regularly and once you see your piano looking its best, you’ll want to keep it that way!

What if my piano is really dirty?

Even if you haven’t thoroughly cleaned your baby grand piano in years, you can bring your glossy piano back to its former glory. In most cases, Cory Super High Gloss Polish is a one-step cleaner that removes day-to-day gunk and smudges. Treat a grimy piano with Cory Pre-Polish Finish Cleaner first, then apply the polish to reveal its shine. It may take a few applications to cut through accumulated grime, but that gleaming surface is under there! 

Can I use Cory Super High Gloss Polish on piano keys?

Piano keys should be cleansed with Cory Key-Brite, which is specially formulated to cleanse the keys without a slippery or greasy residue. Piano polish should only be used on the exterior surface of the piano, and you should avoid spraying cleaners on the action of your piano.

Can I use Cory Super High Gloss Polish on other surfaces?

Yes! Cory is water based and free of waxes and oils, so it is safe to use on any glossy lacquered surface. Tables, furniture, cabinets can all be cleaned safely and effectively with high-quality piano polish. 

Where can I find the right products?

In Tune Piano Supply carries a wide range of piano care products to keep your piano in tip top shape.