Preparing Your Upright Piano For Storage

If you plan on moving to a new home, and you do not have adequate space available for an upright piano right away, you will most likely want to put it in a storage unit until you can make room for it. An upright piano will need special care and preparation for a storage unit because, without the right protective measures, there is a risk of humidity or pests causing it damage. Here are some steps you can take to ensure your upright piano remains in the best of condition until you are able to move it to your new home.

Select The Right Storage Facility

It is important that moisture is not able to get into your storage unit at any time. Moisture can cause wood rot in addition to rusting of the piano's strings. The best way to protect your piano is by picking a storage facility with climate control settings. These can be set at your desired temperature level, ensuring that humidity does not become an issue as a result. If you are unable to find a climate-controlled facility on a short notice, you will need to take the time to check that the unit you rent does not have cracks in the interior walls and that the door has a secure gasket in place.

Clean Your Piano Before Protecting

Take the time to clean your piano before you have it moved to a storage unit. This will ensure there are no microscopic beads of water or insect eggs or larvae upon its structure. Use a piece of microfiber cloth to wipe down the exterior wood. An appropriate cleanser could be applied if desired. Use a vacuum cleaner crevice attachment to remove dust from the keys as well as the back of the piano where the strings are located. This will help keep the risk of mold and insect invasions at a minimum.

Cover Your Piano To Keep It Secure

Tape a piece of long felt over your piano's keys. This will help keep them from becoming damaged due to jostling around or if the key cover slides off the keys while being moved in an out of the moving truck. Cover your piano with thick blankets and secure them around the piece of furniture with pieces of electrical tape. After the blankets are in place, cover the entire piano, blankets and all, with a large furniture bag.

For more tips on moving and storing your piano, work with a professional at Extreme Piano Moving.