Best way to clean vinyl record albums

It's the only way to truly deep clean a record. A record cleaning machine is a self contained unit with a motor that turns a platter with a vacuum and suction tube which has an applicator pad or soft brush. One simply places the record on the platter, prime the pump to apply the record cleaning solution and let the record spin a few revolutions to work loose any dirt and oils that are in the grooves of the record. You then flip the switch and the vacuum sucks up any crud and fluid as well as drying the record.

After this, one cleans the pads around the vacuum slot with the supplied brush and then flips the record over and repeat the above. Pretty simple, and you now have a thoroughly clean record ready to be played. While you could attempt making your own record cleaning solution from household items, it is far better to buy ready-made solutions which are safe for use in record cleaning machines and on modern vinyl records non-shellac.

I have also used Last's " Power Cleaner " as a pre-cleaner for a thoroughly clean record as it helps to release pressing impurities. Regardless of which record cleaning machine you choose, they are a wise and solid investment and strongly recommended. If you do not have a lot of records and are not ready to make the jump to a record cleaning machine then consider doing it by hand. Just as with a record cleaning machine, the best way to clean records is to buy a commercially available record cleaning solution. You could also use the same cleaners sold for use in machines, but you'll need to buy a good record cleaning brush to use them.

To begin, you would place your record on a clean flat surface such as a soft towel, but I usually prefer placing it right on the turntable platter as it's more secure and easier to turn while cleaning. Be certain to secure the tonearm so it doesn't accidentally swing out across the record and do not apply too much pressure on the platter as you can damage the bearings. Also pay attention not to allow the cleaning fluid to drip on the platter or turntable finish. If it does, wipe it up immediately. Cleaning your albums with a manual cleaner is very easy and the instructions below apply to most brands.

The record should dry fairly quickly, but do let it dry completely before cleaning the other side or placing it back in its inner sleeve. Once records are clean it is easy to do small touch up cleanings before and after playing by using a carbon fiber or soft camel hair brush. Don't want to spend a lot of money?

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Then try using some household items instead. While not as effective as the above methods, you can still get records relatively clean. Do NOT use rubbing alcohol or witch hazel as they contain additives that can harm your records. Another option for cleaning dirty records is dishwashing liquid without any moisturizers such as plain versions of Joy or Dawn.

It cleans dirty records well, but can be difficult to rinse off thoroughly. Try not to get the label wet as it can destroy the label or make the inks bleed. If it does get wet then blot it gently and let it air dry. Do NOT rub the label. You will want to finish up by using distilled water as a final rinse.

Distilled water can be easily found in your supermarket or drugstore. The important thing is to thoroughly rinse the cleaning solution and dry your records without scratching them. Drying means using a microfiber type of cloth and blotting the record. Once this is done you can followup with a quick pass with a brush dipped in Isopropyl alcohol to get rid of any impurities that may still be on the record. With proven ready-made record cleaning solutions easily available on the internet, it really doesn't make sense to deal with the hassles and risks of making a homemade solution.

Proceed with caution if you opt for a homemade method and stick with the time tested solutions outlined above. The vinyl album has been with us since so it's highly unlikely that you are going to stumble upon some miracle cleaner.

It's a vinyl record cleaning device that is easy to use and way more effective than hand cleaning. Someone once asked on the DiscoMusic.

The answer is simply no. If it doesn't say specifically for records then do not use it. In years past, some individuals would wet their albums before playing in hopes of reducing static and noise with varying results. In reality the liquid starts to evaporate as the record is played and the needle just starts to dig the junk further into the grooves and now contaminates the entire disc. It clogs up the styli muddying the sound and can cause damage to the styli and cantilever as water seeps into the cracks and erodes the glue that holds it together.

As this crud starts to dry it just makes it more difficult to now properly clean the record. Once a record is played wet, it needs to be played that way again to sound acceptable. Never wet play your vinyl records. Thoroughly clean, and dry them before playing.

Wet playing sounds like an ideal solution—at first, but is not. With thousands of records in our music collections the last thing one wants to do is ruin them. Cleaning your vinyl records is only part of the equation. Properly storing and handling those records are just as important so here are some quick tips. We're all done! Go and play some of those vinyl albums and singles on your tunrtable and enjoy the music. Scroll down to add your tips on cleaning vinyl records or read what other music collectors and audiophiles do to keep their albums and singles sounding great.

Written by Bernard F.

Lopez All rights reserved. Comments are in reverse order meaning from newest to oldest. Please note that commenting is disabled. Ajax or Dawn dishwashing liquid is very good for cleaning vinyl records.

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This method will not harm records. Use a non-scratch sponge in a circular direction. Take care not to wet the label. By far and away the most efficient. I have never tried this but there is a solution for getting rid of adhesive from medical stuff like wraps and bandages. It takes labels off jars no problem and is safe for the skin. It might be ok for getting gunk and sticky residue off records. Try a medical supply place for it. Use a Groovmaster Label Saver for wet cleaning.

It keeps the label DRY! If the record was already well maintained and mostly clean then the D4 is fine for your needs. Any record that doesn't fall into THAT catagory, it's worthless and does nothing. Don't expect the D4 to work miracles because it won't. The only thing that cleans out the so-called "crud" is a watered down amonia. Don't expect to get a record clean if you are not using some form of scrubbing action. Rinse with distilled water because it has no minerals which may get trapped in grooves making pops. I see nothing wrong with blow drying on a firm flat surface using compressed air with a hobby compressor.

The blowing will dry and knock partictulate out of the grooves. Be very conscience of what you place the record down on because some cloth gives up their particles, and those will be stuck to the record. If you still hear pops and clicks, then try again. The crackle and frying is static and only humidity can dampen that.

Static is strong in winter due to moisture that is not in the air. In the summer with humidity around, the humidity will dampen static. Find a way to recreate a humid environment and you will eliminate static and frying. Enjoy your music. There are no finer products for cleaning shellac, vinyl, lacquer or acetate discs whether using manual or machine assisted methods. You sent this unsolicited email to me, otherwise I would not have responded. I see a lot of people talking about a mixture of distilled water and alcohol..

I have cleaned all my vinyl using the spin clean system and all sound great, just using Discwasher D4 to clean before playing. But it can get expensive so would the combination of alcohol and distilled water work best?