How to Clean a Vinyl Record
Are your vinyl records getting dusty? Let your records spin well into the future by keeping them clean. Follow these few easy steps to get your records clean as new.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Anti-static Guns
- Record-cleaning Machines
- Record-cleaning Pads
- Record-cleaning Brushes
- Record-cleaning Solutions
- Turntables
- Vinyl Records
-
Normal Cleaning
-
1
Acquire all the materials you need: a record-cleaning pad or carbon-fiber record brush and record-cleaning fluid. Optionally, get an anti-static gun and record-cleaning machine.
-
2
Wash your hands.
-
3
Clean the stylus first, if necessary. See the Related eHows for instructions.
-
4
Place record on turntable, handling record by edges and labeled areas.
-
5
Use an anti-static gun, if you have one, to neutralize dust.
-
6
Dry-clean the record if it is not very dusty and has been cleaned regularly.
-
7
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for applying fluid if you decide on wet-cleaning.
-
8
Hold the ends of brush or pad between your fingers.
-
9
Manually rotate the platter in a clockwise direction while pressing the cleaning brush gently into the grooves.
-
10
Sweep the brush up and away to lift dust from the record surface.
-
11
Use a brush holder, credit card or similar object to scrape dust off the brush - do this away from the turntable.
-
12
Repeat until you can't see dust on the record.
Pre-Cleaning Heavily Soiled Records
-
1
Place record on clean, soft, lint-free cloth or sheet of plastic.
-
2
Wet-clean record, working in a spiral from center to rim.
-
3
Air-dry or use a 100 percent cotton, lint-free cloth.
-
4
Repeat procedure on reverse side.
-
5
Repeat until record appears to be clean.
-
1
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Comments
-
Elvis De Leon
Dec 27, 2009
Very detailed- thanks for the info -
Equinox
May 14, 2008
Also, don't use cartridges with a a considerably limited frequency output range! If the styli are cheap and nasty and leave your record with cue more cue burn after more more cue burn per play then you may not find out until you buy decent cartridges! I discovered this to my disappointment and now all my rare records are damaged unless there is a way to get rid of cur burn... Don't cheap-out on cartridges as it may cost you in the long ter like it has me!
-
Equinox
May 14, 2008
Also, don't use cartridges with a a considerably limited frequency output range! If the styli are cheap and nasty and leave your record with cue more cue burn after more more cue burn per play then you may not find out until you buy decent cartridges! I discovered this to my disappointment and now all my rare records are damaged unless there is a way to get rid of cur burn... Don't cheap-out on cartridges as it may cost you in the long ter like it has me!
-
earthflute
Apr 29, 2007
I have used this mehtod since the 70s when I was shown it by an 'audiophile'. The records come up shining and very clean. Use 1-2 drops mild handwash into 1/2 cup filtered water and 1 cap of Methylated Spirits. The 'soap' acts on the deep dirt, the water is just the medium to get it into the grooves and the Metho is used to dry it out. Using a toothbrush, with only enough of the mixture to wet the record, work in the direction of the grooves from inside out, in sections, for 2x around the record. Then tilt the brush 45 degrees to the surface with the same action, 1-2 times around. Wipe off with a slightly damp foam cloth in the direction of the grooves, rolling the material to pick the grunge up and away from the surface. The results will amaze you on really dirty records.
-
earthflute
Apr 29, 2007
I have used this mehtod since the 70s when I was shown it by an 'audiophile'. The records come up shining and very clean. Use 1-2 drops mild handwash into 1/2 cup filtered water and 1 cap of Methylated Spirits. The 'soap' acts on the deep dirt, the water is just the medium to get it into the grooves and the Metho is used to dry it out. Using a toothbrush, with only enough of the mixture to wet the record, work in the direction of the grooves from inside out, in sections, for 2x around the record. Then tilt the brush 45 degrees to the surface with the same action, 1-2 times around. Wipe off with a slightly damp foam cloth in the direction of the grooves, rolling the material to pick the grunge up and away from the surface. The results will amaze you on really dirty records.
