Never play a new accordion too hard for the first month or two. The accordion takes about a year to break in properly and there will be small improvements during that break-in period. Loud playing puts a strain on the reeds and shortens their period of service. Like any other fine instrument it must receive careful handling.   Your accordion should be stored resting on the bass end. That is why there are usually four little pads or "feet" for the accordion to rest on. Most accordions have the reed valves vertical when the accordion is vertical. If the accordion is stored flat with the keyboard horizontal, half the reed valves will hang down upside down. When the accordion is kept in this position, the valves (or leathers) as they are sometimes called--being usually strips of special accordion reed valve leather glued at one end, to prevent back air flow when the reed on the other side of the plate is not sounding--will permanently sag open, causing an unpleasant snuffling or rattling sound when the accordion is played. Repairing this condition involves removing scores of reeds from the blocks and straightening the leathers. New special "accordion wax " usually has to be poured around the reed plates. Some accordions, 'way less than 1%, have reed blocks that are positioned with the reed leathers parallel to the floor when placed on the "feet". This includes a few types of button accordions and some tone-chamber accordions. In those unusual cases the accordion should be stored horizontally. Rarely accordions have the reeds attached with something other than wax.   Don't store your accordion next to an outside wall or on cold concrete. The temperature there is affected dramatically by the outdoor temperature. Should you be away for a few days and the heating/cooling system be turned off damage could result.   Protect your accordion from extremes of temperature. Never put it in the trunk of a car. Accordions should never be left in the sun or in a hot place like inside a car in the summer. For instance, an accordion was stored near a window with the sun shining on it will result in the reed wax holding the reeds in place being melted, and many of the reeds will fall loose inside the accordion. The accordion became unplayable and consequent severe depreciation in value of the instrument.   When moving your instrument from a cold or warm area, allow the accordion to acclimate to room temperature before playing. When you bring your accordion inside from the cold, and play it in a warm room, the reeds and reed plates will cause water to condense on the cold reeds from the warm air. This is one major cause of rust on the reeds. It would be better to let the accordion warm up slowly before playing it, so that the temperature inside is equalized with the room temperature before ever letting air in from the room. The greater the difference between the air in the room and the accordion, the drier the air needs to be before you start to play. Also note that the cold accordion may have some bad sounding reeds until the reed plates warm up, as the metal plates will contract, sometimes causing some of the vibrating reeds to brush against the plates.  The colder the temperature, the more sharp the pitch, as the cold reeds are stiffer and vibrate faster than warm reeds.   Avoid reed-rust and bellows rot, keep your accordion away from moisture. Never leave it out in the rain, near a water fountain or swimming pool. Never play an accordion on or near enough to the ocean to allow salt mist to get inside, as this is certain to make the accordion completely beyond repair and restoration. First of all, the reeds will be so pitted and corroded by rust and corrosion on the reed plates, that they will be beyond repair, not to mention the destruction of all metal mechanical parts. Also don't play in the rain, unless someone pays you a lot of money, because you will soon need an expensive repair.   Your accordion needs air; store it out of the case. To help keep dust and dirt out of the interior, protect the instrument with a sheer cloth of material purchased from any cloth store.   Protect the bellows by replacing the back-pad when worn.   If you play in a band or ensemble, your accordion will last longer with a special accordion microphone installed so you won't have to play as hard to be heard.   Any accordion can be fitted with an accordion mike. If you want more freedom of movement onstage, get a wireless setup.   The oil from your fingers will yellow the accordion keys. After each use, wipe outside and keys with a chamois cloth.   Avoid damage when removing the accordion from its case by using the proven method illustrated on http://www.houstonac.org/tips_for_accordionists.htm  .   Dust and dirt will clog reeds; don’t play in dusty or smoky environments if possible.   If reeds won't sound, take your accordion in for a professional cleaning.   Frequently-played accordions in good condition usually need tuning every five to ten years. Accordions hold their tuning best if played at least three times a week.   Leaky bellows? A professional can usually take care of this without too much fuss, and a leaky accordion bellows can degrade the performance of the reeds.   Don't forget your straps. Leather needs conditioning to stay soft and strong. As time passes it dries out and cracks begin to form weakening the leather. Mink Oil is a mixture of lanolin and silicone and looks like an ivory colored cream. It conditions leather, it makes softer (not weaker). It won't stain your shirt and it will make your accordion straps last a lifetime. It can be found at Wal-Mart and Target's shoe departments.