Things You'll Need:
- Anti-static Guns
- Record-cleaning Machines
- Record-cleaning Pads
- Record-cleaning Brushes
- Record-cleaning Solutions
- Turntables
- Vinyl Records
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Step 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.
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Step 2
Wash your hands.
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Step 3
Clean the stylus first, if necessary. See the Related eHows for instructions.
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Step 4
Place record on turntable, handling record by edges and labeled areas.
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Step 5
Use an anti-static gun, if you have one, to neutralize dust.
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Step 6
Dry-clean the record if it is not very dusty and has been cleaned regularly.
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Step 7
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for applying fluid if you decide on wet-cleaning.
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Step 8
Hold the ends of brush or pad between your fingers.
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Step 9
Manually rotate the platter in a clockwise direction while pressing the cleaning brush gently into the grooves.
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Step 10
Sweep the brush up and away to lift dust from the record surface.
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Step 11
Use a brush holder, credit card or similar object to scrape dust off the brush - do this away from the turntable.
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Step 12
Repeat until you can't see dust on the record.
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Step 1
Place record on clean, soft, lint-free cloth or sheet of plastic.
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Step 2
Wet-clean record, working in a spiral from center to rim.
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Step 3
Air-dry or use a 100 percent cotton, lint-free cloth.
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Step 4
Repeat procedure on reverse side.
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Step 5
Repeat until record appears to be clean.
Comments
Equinox said
on 5/14/2008 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 said
on 5/14/2008 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 said
on 4/29/2007 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.
Horse said
on 1/28/2007 I have several vinyl LPs that have a HUGE amount of dust on them. WOuldn't it be better to lightly vacuum them with a soft brust FIRST before 'wet/washing cleaning them?'
user40 said
on 9/10/2007 I heard that some people actually spit shine their records, this is just plain gross and ignorant. So I like to really clean my used records when I first get them. Start by spaying a very small amount of Lysol Disinfectent on the record, then rubbing with a dish rag, then soak them in steaming hot water for about 60 seconds. Then dry them with a hairdryer and wash them down again with some good alcohol and you could at this point even repeat the process. And there you have it.