Tickling the Ivories?

[Greg Brown]

Well, only if you are lucky enough to own a piano manufactured before the 1950s! Then piano keys were actually made of Ivory (tusks of Elephant and Walrus). But, as these animals became scarce and the taking of tusks was banned, the development of the plastic keys began. These plastic keys are viewed by many piano purists as an inferior ivory substitute, although today these synthetic materials more closely resemble the feel of real ivory.
To tell if your keys are ivory or plastic? Look closely at an individual key... if there are two pieces to the key... it is most likely ivory because ivory could not be "molded" like plastic and made into a single unit (single key).
While most cleaners can be used on plastic keys, please do not use rubbing alcohol on plastic. A friend of mine discovered she had inherited a piano from her parents that she "thought" had ivory keys. She discovered after trying to clean these keys with alcohol (which has been known to work for ivory keys) that they were not ivory, but plastic. The keys now had a "funny" feel to them. The point being... there is a proper way to clean all types of piano keys.
The proper way to clean ivory keys is with a cleaner designed just for that purpose. Ivory Keys that are old sometimes will "yellow" with age. Removing the "yellow" from an antique will sometimes diminish the authenticity of the piano and so some antique lovers prefer their piano keys to be "yellowed" as proof that they possess the real thing!
Ivory piano keys bleach when exposed to light, however the most significant and problematic changes occur due to changes in temperature and humidity levels. Low humidity may cause cracking and shrinking. Very high humidity has the opposite effect causing warping and swelling.
Sometimes the ivory keys appear to "darken". This is a result of the natural aging process of a natural material. Being porous, Ivory is prone to staining (think of coffee or wine staining teeth over time). Contact with skin (simply from playing the piano) can darken the keys from because of the natural oils in our skin.
Many liquids... even water ... are destructive to Ivory and should be avoided. Ivory "yellows" in the dark so keeping the cover open to allow exposure to the sun will help ease the yellowing. Exposing already yellowed keys will not make them less yellow, however, but will help to prevent further discoloration.
Removing the yellow (if this is desired) is tricky business. It will depend how deep the yellow has gone. Some suggest rubbing the keys with a very fine steel wool to remove the yellow. However, rubbing too hard may damage the keys. The best advice if you really want to remove they yellow is to seek the help of an expert. One can usually be located in your local yellow pages. Or, call a local college's music department for a referral. Music schools usually know the best experts!
The best way to care for Ivory Keys whether they have yellowed or not are by regular gentle cleanings using products manufactured and designed for just such a job! A product such as Key Brite Polish, which cleans, protects and preserves all piano keys... ivory and plastic. It is inexpensive and completely safe!
Cleaning either ivory or plastic keys always remember to take care and cleaning the keys one at a time is best if possible. It is best to wear cotton gloves while cleaning the keys. This ensures that the keys are being cleaned and that we are not immediately getting the oil from our skin right back on the keys. Although, really, most people can't resist playing freshly cleaned piano keys anyway... now can they?

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