C Eaning Vinyl Records

Store vinyl records properly to prevent future problems.

C eaning vinyl records.

By dry cleaning i mean regular use of a carbon fiber brush. Take your microfibre towel and dab the solution onto the vinyl record. The condition of vinyl records has a direct impact on their sound quality. Rinse and dry the record.

Wherever water is applied such as when using a record cleaning machine always opt for distilled water. Household cleaning products such as washing up liquid and windex should be avioded as they are not necessarily safe for use on delicate vinyl records. To get a deeper clean apply a liquid cleaning solution to the surface of the record. 4 second hand records will almost always require wet cleaning.

3 regular dry cleaning is also recommended to minimize wet cleaning. The turntable and the drying rack are set away from the washing station to avoid wetting a record that s already dried. Step by step my cleaning setup is structured like a conveyor belt so one step follows the next in a logical order. For everyday cleaning of your records use a carbon fiber brush to remove surface dust.

Here s a picture of my washing station. Steps to clean vinyl records. Wipe clean using circular movements. Record cleaning machines because the grooves along a vinyl record are a millionth of an inch thick the only way to clean them completely is to use a powerful cleaning solution and a strong vacuum.

2 the best way to keep records clean is not to allow them to become so dirty in the first place. We like the starter kit from spin clean. It s a manual system composed of brushes and rollers that uses an accompanying solution to clean your records. Remove all dust and static using a vinyl record brush.

To spot clean any problem areas lie your vinyl record on a flat clean stable and non abrasive surface. Remove dust and static using a vinyl record brush. Spray cleaning solution on problem areas. Use a microfiber cloth to lightly scrub and dry the record.

Some basic vinyl care and maintenance is advisable. Clean with circular movements and be gentle making sure not to touch the label in the middle of the record.