i have a 1916 piano,and the keys on it are starting to look yellowish.....?

Question

So how can I safely make them white and beautiful again?

Answer 1

The age of the piano indicates real ivory keys. Use crest white strips.

Answer 2

Ivory deepens in color with age, and antique ivory has a beautiful patina that gives antique ivory a lovely and unique characteristic. If your antique ivory has darkened or yellowed due to age, don’t try to lighten it. The color of antique ivory is often used as an indicator of age, and the patina protects the ivory. Darkening is a natural part of the aging process of ivory, and it adds to the unique beauty of antique ivory.

If it is dirty then you can clean the ivory gently. Never use chemicals and remember ivory is porous so it can expand and crack. The best way is to use a white vinyl eraser. They are pure, they are free of contaminates and dye, and they do a good job of cleaning dirty ivory. A white vinyl pencil tip eraser is fantastic for cleaning dirty antique ivory. The narrow tip makes it easy to clean crevices and intricate details on antique ivory pieces, and this type of eraser can be sharpened to a very fine point for better cleaning and control.

Answer 3

Those are real ivory keys, let them naturally age. If you should ever get rid of the piano, as in throw it away, take the keys off and save them. You could not acquire them now.

Answer 4

Ivory!! I watch the Antique Roadshow and they say don't ever try to clean an antique!! Leave it as is.