Milk on Keys

[David Love]

It think it is likely the presence of certain protein based enzymes that 
helps in the cleaning.  Spit also works well for the same reason (no I'm not 
joking).  But, I would not use any water based liquids on ivory.  The 
hygroscopic property of ivory means that you run the risk of loosening the 
glue joint over time.  Best to just rub them clean with a soft cloth.  More 
work but safer in the long run.

David Love
>From: bases-loaded@juno.com
>Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org
>To: pianotech@ptg.org
>Subject: Re: Milk on Keys
>Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 23:19:53 -0400
>
>HI Dave -
>
>I have never used milk to clean anything, either, but over the years
>several customers have mentioned to me that their grandmother used to
>clean ivory keytops with milk.  Supposedly "conditioned" them, too.  I
>have never heard about using it on plastic, though.
>
>I will pose the question to a chemist I know, and if I get any answers
>worth passing on, I will certainly do so....
>
>Mark Potter
>bases-loaded@juno.com
>
>
>On Mon, 30 Apr 2001 19:18:02 EDT DGPEAKE@AOL.COM writes:
>Dear Friends and Collegues,
>
>Today I installed a set of lifter elbows (yes, old plastic breaking at a
>light touch of the key). The plastic keytops were fairly dirty and my
>client
>said that her mother told her to clean with rag dabbed with milk. While
>installing the keys, I gave her 2, 1 to clean with milk, and the other
>with
>water. The water did not do to well, but the milk cleaned the other key
>spotless.
>
>I have never heard about milk for cleaning anything, let alone piano
>keys. Is
>there something about milk derivatives that has cleaning agents? Will
>milk
>clean ivory as well?
>
>Yes, I had my milk today.
>
>Dave Peake, RPT
>Portland Chapter
>Oregon City, OR
>www.davespianoworks.locality.com

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com