A piano is a high-precision instrument consisting of thousands of moving parts made from wood, felt, and metal. Whether you are renovating your home in Milan or moving between properties, storing a piano requires more than just a spare room. It requires a strategy to protect its structural integrity.
At GoodSpace, we provide the logistics and secure space needed to keep your instrument safe. This guide explains how to prepare, move, and store your piano like a professional.
Why Professional Piano Storage is Necessary
Pianos are hygroscopic, meaning they absorb and release moisture based on their environment. Without proper care, you risk several types of damage:
- Soundboard Cracking: The spruce soundboard can crack if the wood dries out too quickly.
- Tuning Instability: Extreme shifts in environment cause the tuning pins to loosen.
- Action Issues: The delicate felt hammers can swell in high humidity, leading to “sticky” keys.
- Surface Damage: Dust and UV light can degrade the high-gloss finish or wood veneer.
How to Prepare Your Piano for Storage: A Step-by-Step Process
Following these steps will ensure your piano remains in top condition while at our Cologno Monzese or Cormano facilities.
1. Deep Cleaning and Decontamination
Dust acts as an abrasive. Before moving, wipe the entire casing with a clean microfiber cloth. If you have ivory keys, use a very slightly damp cloth with a PH-neutral soap. Never spray liquid directly onto the keys, as it can seep into the wooden key-bed and cause swelling.
2. Lock and Secure the Fallboard
Close the keyboard lid (the fallboard) and lock it if a key is available. If it doesn’t lock, use a small piece of low-tack painter’s tape to ensure it doesn’t flip open during transport. This protects the delicate keys from impact.
3. Create a Thermal Buffer (The “Micro-Climate” Strategy)
Since standard storage units are not active climate-controlled environments, you must create a buffer:
- Layer 1: Wrap the piano in heavy-duty cotton moving blankets. This provides insulation and allows the wood to “breathe.”
- Layer 2: Use professional stretch wrap over the blankets. Do not let the plastic touch the wood directly. The wrap creates a seal that slows down the rate of humidity change.
4. Professional Transport
An upright piano weighs between 150kg and 250kg, while a grand piano can exceed 400kg.
- Uprights: Must always remain in a vertical position to avoid putting pressure on the internal bridges.
- Grands: Are typically moved on their side using a specialized piano board or skid.
Strategic Tip: GoodSpace offers a full-service moving option. We pick up the piano from your home and transport it directly to your unit, eliminating the risk of DIY moving injuries or damage.
Choosing the Right Space at GoodSpace
Most upright pianos fit perfectly in our small to medium units. When placing the instrument in your unit:
- Positioning: Place the piano against an internal partition wall rather than an exterior wall to minimize temperature transfers.
- Elevation: Keep the piano on its professional skid or a pallet to ensure airflow underneath the instrument.
