Tuning
How often a piano "needs" tuning depends on several factors:

Basic condition:
Newer pianos benefit from good construction techniques and materials that are structurally sound. However, this doesn't mean that tuning should be neglected for an extended period of time. When a piano arrives at its new home, it undergoes a "settling in" period during which it adapts to differences in the floor and the environment. Keep your ears pealed for signs that your new friend needs attention.

Older pianos can be more demanding when it comes to keeping them in tune. When you acquire a piano, it is wise to get a good understanding of how sturdy it is and whether it will need any special care to be a dependable instrument.

Use: how much it is used. Piano builders such as Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, and Baldwin recommend a minimum of two tunings per year. A piano subject to daily use by serious players and students would benefit from as many as four tunings per year.

Changes in environment: When the weather turns, any piano that is not in a temperature and humidity controlled environment will experience changes in tune. Changes in humidity and temperature can cause wood used in the structure of the piano to shrink or swell. The placement and size of key members of the structure can change size and shape, altering the tension on and position of the strings.

The strings: piano strings may seem like they would be resistant to stretching but they are subjected to great forces. The tension on each string must be adjusted by the piano tuner. In some cases the strings should be replaced. As any guitar player knows, older strings lose their brightness after repeated tuning and hard playing.

You will have to make the decision on how often your piano is tuned. Let your ears be your guide.

Regulation - What it is and Why it is important

There are many, many parts involved in what is called a piano's "action." These parts include "soft parts" like felt, cloth, and even some wooden parts. When a piano is played, these parts are subject to wear. They can become compressed, losing their original resilience, worn from repeated contact with other parts, and their shape can become distorted. Distortion primarily affects wooden parts whose shape can change due to humidity, temperature, and wear.

The changes described above happen slowly. Usually so slowly you may never notice the subtle differences in the way your piano sounds and feels. Unfortunately, when you do notice the changes, unnecessary wear has already taken place. The keys may feel sticky and will have lost their smoothness - rather than having a uniform feel up and down the keyboard.

Pedals may be sticky or their action is a series of sudden movements rather than one flowing movement. One sure sign that your piano needs regulation is when you start hearing sounds that shouldn't be there - buzzing, clunks, rattles, squeaks and clicks. You get the picture.

Scary as it sounds, this scenario can be easily prevented. In order to keep your piano sounding great over the long term should be Regulated on a recurring basis. It should be done at a touchup level during a scheduled tuning. A serious Regulation should be undertaken every two to five years.

General Care and Cleaning

First word of advice - pianos hate water. They hate anything more than a slightly damp cloth on the surface and they really hate when water gets inside. NEVER put any object containing water on the surface of your piano. This especially applies to flower vases and beverages. Condensation can form on the surface of your piano, causing the finish to discolor. Spills are even more dangerous, causing damage that cannot be fixed. No matter how careful you are, there is the possibility that your container of liquid will be knocked over. Don't risk it. Water or other liquids can cause a lot of damage when turned loose on the inside of your piano.

As much as pianos dislike water, their disdain for sunshine runs a close second. We have seen pianos permanently discolored by the bleaching effect of the sun's rays. This is especially true with finishes that run on the red side, like a cherry finish. Red is a fairly unstable dye and fades quickly.

Cleaning

Use the least aggressive method possible. Start out with a feather duster or a lightly held cotton cloth. Dust can turn into sandpaper when rubbed into the finish of your piano. Next, wipe with a damp cloth and then dry with a clean cotton cloth. Don't use polyester or poly-cotton blend fabrics. Polyester is abrasive and will leave scratches. Paper is worse, it is made of wood afterall. The fibers in a rough paper towel or newspaper WILL leave a mark.
Don't use furniture polish on your piano. Repeated applications can make the finish on your piano soften and discolor.
Cleaning the keys - Preventative maintenance is a good start. Wash your hands thoroughly before playing. Don't eat or drink while at the piano. Make clean hands a habit and you will spend a lot less time cleaning the keys. You'll also avoid having food or liquids falling between the keys, causing problems you won't be able to solve yourself. When the keys do need cleaning, use two soft cotton cloths, a different one for the black keys and the white keys. Try and use a minimum of liquid and dry softly but thoroughly.

Advanced Cleaning

If your piano needs something more than a wipe down, proceed with caution. Get the advice of a piano care professional, often your tuner can be of help with advice or a referral. Other resources can be searched on the Internet. Before you buy, search for reviews on the product. Enter a search request like: "Ajax Piano Cleaner Reviews."

Moving a piano

Best strategy here is not to carefully consider where you want your piano before it is delivered. Then leave it there.
But, if you must move it, read on.

Moving a piano to a different building - HIRE A MOVER who specializes in pianos. No further action recommended.

Moving a grand piano in a room - It is strongly recommended that you hire a professional mover. This may seem like an unnecessary expense but it is nothing compared to the damage you can inflict by moving it yourself. Dragging a piano across a floor is an invitation to disaster. Piano legs are delicate. If you slide your piano into a crack or other imperfection in the floor you risk damaging or completely breaking a leg off. You also don't want to try "catching" a grand piano as it heads for the floor.

Moving a piano on carpeting is guaranteed disaster. Don't try it.

If you "must" move a piano yourself (leaky ceiling?) enlist the help of three to five strong people. Have your helpers surround the piano and then have them lift while moving. Don't try to lift the piano to the point where you are carrying it, just lift enough to take most of the weight off the legs. Be careful. Keep in mind that you will most likely have to level the piano once it is in its new location. Slight variances in the level of the piano will probably necessitate having the piano tuned.

Moving a piano on a stage or in a teaching room - if there is no person in your group who has experience in this situation, consult a piano professional for advice and equipment. There are a variety of specially made devices, such as rolling dollies, available.