November, 1914 
HOUSE AND GARDEN 
289 
The practice of making the piano a repository for bric-a-brac and knick-knacks argues a lack of sense 
as well as of taste 
of piano that is little used, but neglected. The 
chief item of piano care, of course, consists in 
avoiding the unfavorable conditions alluded to 
in tbe foregoing paragraphs, but certain helpful 
minor items are not to be overlooked. For one 
thing, when the room is being cleaned the piano 
should be completely covered to keep out all in¬ 
jurious dust. Likewise, when the room is being 
aired in cold weather, especially when the air is 
damp, the piano ought to be protected with some 
sort of soft, warm woolen cover. In dusting, it 
is best to use a soft duster of uncut feathers. 
Cases are usually so highly varnished that rub¬ 
bing, even with a fine cloth or piece of silk, is 
apt to leave cloudy, smear marks and minute 
scratches from gritty particles of dust. 
The best way of cleaning the case is to use a 
little olive oil on a slightly dampened piece of 
canton flannel. Onlv a small part of the sur¬ 
face should be rubbed at a time. Then wipe off 
all oil with a dry piece of canton flannel, breath¬ 
ing on the surface from time to time. All finger¬ 
marks and the haze resulting from dust and 
dampness are thus wholly removed. Last of all, 
put a little fine white flour on another soft, dry 
cloth, and go over the whole surface of the case. 
The keys unavoidably become stained by the oil 
in the skin of the fingers, but the ivory may be 
and a happy atmospheric me¬ 
dium free from extremes. The 
ideal position will also involve 
one other consideration of 
great importance to the com¬ 
fort and convenience of the 
player, and that is a good light. 
The light, of course, should 
come from the left and either 
from the side or slightly from 
the rear of the player. A care¬ 
ful examination of the require¬ 
ments noted for the ideal posi¬ 
tion for a piano will make it 
evident that comparatively few 
rooms offer a position satisfac¬ 
tory in this respect, so that a 
good deal of ingenuity must 
often be brought to bear in 
reaching a judicious decision. 
It will also appear that it is 
easier to find suitable positions 
for grand pianos than for up¬ 
rights, which people are in the 
habit of putting against the 
wall. There is no compelling 
reason, nevertheless, why up¬ 
right pianos should be so set, 
and some attention will be given 
to this particular aspect of the subject in a subsequent paragraph 
devoted to the decorative considerations of piano placing. 
Before passing directly to that phase, however, it will not be 
amiss to direct the reader's attention to a few practical hints re¬ 
garding the care of pianos. In this connection it will be well to 
note that lack of proper care is much harder upon pianos than 
excessive use. A well-made piano that is constantly used and 
properly cared for will wear better than precisely the same sort 
A careful study of the question will harmonize the piano not only with the general group arrangement of the room, but 
also, as here, in color scheme and decoration 
restored to its pure white condition by cleaning with a linen cloth 
moistened with alcohol. Be careful, however, not to let this cloth 
touch the case anywhere, for alcohol will dissolve the varnish. 
One other matter ought to be adverted to in this place while 
commenting on the care of a piano, although not actually affecting 
the piano itself, and that is the manner of keeping music. Too 
often do we see it piled about in disorderly, tattered heaps that 
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