How To Clean Vinyl Records – The Helpful Guide

Vinyl records are staticky and they attract grime and dust. It affects the sound quality of vinyl records and they end up creating unwanted noise while being played.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to clean records at home so that they work properly. Make sure that you follow each step of this guide carefully to achieve the best results.

How to Clean Vinyl Records at Home – Easy Steps

The best way to clean vinyl records at home is to use a specialized vinyl cleaning solution. You can use the steps listed below to complete this record cleaning method.

Step 1: Clean Loose Dust Particles

The first step is to use a dry microfiber cloth or carbon fiber record brush to get rid of loose dust particles from the record. While you can use a vacuum-powered vinyl record cleaner for the same purpose, it will cost you a whole lot of money.

If you don’t get rid of loose dust particles before applying the liquid solution, they’ll get into the record’s grooves and become sludge. As a result, the entire cleaning process will become difficult.

Step 2: Select the Vinyl Record Cleaning Solution

The next step is to choose the right vinyl record cleaning solution. Many people use a mixture of dish soap and tap water to clean records. But you should avoid using it because it can damage your records.

You should use a product, which is specially designed to clean vinyl records. Additionally, it’s also important to avoid using record cleaning solutions containing isopropyl alcohol.

Important Note: If you don’t have a specialized fluid, consider using deionized and distilled water as a cleaning agent.

Step 3: Apply the Cleaning Solution to the Record

Grab a clean microfiber cloth or towel and place it on a flat surface, like a tabletop. After that, place your record on top of the microfiber cloth. Then, spray a few mist sprays of cleaning fluid to cover the record’s entire surface.

Step 4: Clean the Vinyl Record

After applying the cleaning liquid, use a dry microfiber cloth to clean the record. Make sure that you lightly wipe the entire record in circular motions along the grooves by applying moderate pressure.

You should never wipe a record across the grooves because it can damage the protective coating.

Step 5: Let the Record Dry

Once you have cleaned the entire surface of the vinyl record, let it sit on the cloth placed on a flat surface. It’ll allow the record to dry properly. 

It shouldn’t take more than 30 to 40 seconds. Make sure that you don’t play the record if it’s not completely dried.

Step 6: Store the Vinyl Record Correctly

The last step is to store your vinyl record correctly. Make sure that you place your record in a plastic sleeve and store it in a cool and dry spot. Additionally, it’s also important to place it in an upright position. It’ll keep your record clean for a longer time.

Vinyl Record Cleaning/Maintenance Tips

The following tips will help you clean your records efficiently and keep them in good condition for as long as possible.

• The most effective way to clean a record is to use a specialized cleaning solution (free of isopropyl alcohol). But you can also use deionized and distilled water for the same purpose.
• Never apply the cleaning liquid to your record before you get rid of loose dust particles. Otherwise, they’ll get stuck in the grooves and you won’t be able to clean them properly.
• Regular maintenance is important to keep your vinyl records clean. Therefore, you should always clean your records using a carbon fiber brush or microfiber cloth before and after playing them.
• If you use a carbon fiber brush, don’t try to get rid of the dust particles stuck in the grooves. Doing so will increase the risk of damaging your record.
• Always use a high-quality record player to increase the longevity of your vinyl records.
• Make sure that the stylus and cartridge of your record player are in good shape and clean or they’ll damage your records.
• Sometimes, new records are also dirty. So, inspect them to make sure they’re clean before playing them in a record player.
• Never store your record horizontally on top of one another. It will place too much pressure on the records placed lower in the stack, which can lead to damage over time.
• Don’t touch the surface of your record because the dirt and oil on your skin can damage them.

FAQs on How to Clean Vinyl Records

Is It Ok to Clean Vinyl Records with Alcohol?

Ideally, you should avoid using alcohol for cleaning vinyl records, especially isopropyl alcohol. While it can clean your record effectively, it can damage the protective coating present on your vinyl over time.

How Do You Clean a Vinyl Record with Water?

You must never use tap water for cleaning records because it contains minerals that can damage your record beyond repair. You can add deionized and distilled water to a sprayer and spray it on the surface of your record (three to four mist sprays will suffice). After that, clean the record with a dry microfiber cloth by making circular movements along the grooves.

How to Clean Old Vinyl Records?

You can use the same technique discussed above to clean old vinyl records. If you have Shellac 78s, you’ll need to be extra careful while cleaning them with a microfiber cloth. That’s because they’re extremely brittle and can’t withstand pressure. So, you’ll need to wipe them very gently.

Final Words

Cleaning a vinyl record doesn’t have to be a difficult task. You just need to make sure that you use the right supplies and techniques to get rid of dust and other debris from a record.

We hope this guide will help you clean your favorite records effectively to enjoy listening to them for a longer time. Don’t forget to use the cleaning and maintenance tips listed above to improve the longevity of your records.