How to Clean Vinyl Phono Records
Oftentimes vinyl phono records won't play properly if they are dusty or dirty. They need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Since vinyl phono records aren't in mainstream production any longer, it's important to take great care when doing so. If you are at all uncomfortable with cleaning the records or the ones you need to wash are valuable collector's items, it's better to go to a professional restorer than to try to clean them yourself.
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Things You'll Need
- Phono records
- Pitcher
- Isopropyl alcohol
- 16 ounce spray bottle
- 3 microfiber cloths
- 2 gallons of distilled water
Instructions
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Pour 3 cups of lukewarm distilled water into the pitcher. Then add 1 cup of isopropyl alcohol. Stir the solution together with your hands until it becomes uniform. Pour the solution into the spray bottle and screw the lid on tight.
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Spray your microfiber cloth with the solution about two or three times, enough that the cloth becomes visibly wet but not oversaturated. Then wipe down the record, top and bottom, following the grooves. Make large circles, moving from the outside to inside. Put more effort into the outermost grooves where you place the needle to play the record. These are the ones that tend to attract the brunt of fingerprints and dirt.
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Put a stopper in your sink and fill it with a gallon of distilled water. Then dunk the record in the sink to rinse off the cleaning solution, wiping it with a new microfiber cloth as needed. Do not use tap water unless absolutely necessary because it could deposit minerals on your record.
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Pat the record dry with a third cloth. Do not rub it. Dry it quickly so water spots don't have a chance to form. Make sure the phono record is completely dry before you put it back in its case.
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Tips & Warnings
If you try to play your record again and it still doesn't work, it's wise to clean it using a vacuum machine, such as the Nitty Gritty. They are expensive, so don't buy one unless you've got lots of dirty vinyl. Instead go to a vintage music store and ask if there is one available for use.
Don't let the label sit wet for very long. It could start wrinkling up in a matter of minutes. Never clean out the grooves with a pin or a paperclip. While it might get the dirt out, it could scratch your record beyond repair. Only use plain isopropyl alcohol, never one that's mixed with other substances, dyed or scented. These additives could remain on your record when you're done cleaning.
