[CAUT] Disinfecting keys -- H1N1 virus

[G Cousins]

Our crisis response department is issuing Purell dispensers to all areas of the campus. Crazy thing is once the "crisis" passes they will not supply additional refills for the dispensers. (go figure)  Simply speaking, dry conditions = dead virus'    

This summer I did go through almost every piano,  removed and thoroughly cleaned (sides too) the key sticks with my usual mixture of simple green.  Yes there was an inordinate amount of crap removed but I did feel pretty good that there was a clean keyboard for the beginning of the semester.  
Additional time invested = healthier piano tech (me).  I also continue to top surface clean whenever I tune evry keyboard. I do this before I tune and then clean after completing the job.

WARNING WARNING..... If any of the people use any of the "alcohol based"waterless hand cleaners, You DO have to re-educate them to be absolutely certain that all the alcohol has evaporated before they begin to touch the piano. I have found that the alcohol does have adverse affect the finish (Steinway ebony) On one of the pianos I didn't get to over the summer, the buildup of gunk/crap/finger oils, etc, had actually dissolved (when one of the students used the Waterless cleaners) to a point that the sharps became rough to the touch.  I cleaned with teh usual; method and all's well. At least for now.

Hope this helps.  
Bottom line with any virus... Can't stop it only hope to slow it or at least minimize the symptoms.  Kind of like pianos going out of tune.

Gerry Cousins
West Chester University of PA

From: JBairdRPT at cs.com
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:01:59 -0400
To: CAUT at ptg.org
Subject: [CAUT] Disinfecting keys -- H1N1 virus

My university has inquired about wipes for disinfecting piano keys to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus? Any suggestions?



I found this on the web:



Products that will kill the H1N1 virus are alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, heat, iodophors, some soaps and chlorine. 



... and Roger Jolly wrote this about disinfecting keys some years ago on pianotech:



  Wipe them with Hydrogen Peroxide, available from any drug store.

Doctors and nurses use it for cleaning minor wounds.  It will not damage

Ivory or plastic.



Thanks,



John Baird
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