How to Clean Old Vinyl Records

CDs are dead, everyone is going back to vinyl. Well, it might not be that dramatic, but music lovers are finding their favorite new albums being pressed to 180 gram perfection. They are also finding gems of the bygone era at thrift shops, record stores, and garage sales. So, what do you need to do when you score a copy of the original THEM with Van Morrison for $1.25, and it looks like somebody baked cookies on it?

Things You'll Need

• Warm water
• Grease busting dish detergent
• Soft cloth or worn out beloved cotton underwear

Instructions

1. 

   Hold the album by the edges and access the damage. What you are about to do will help a lot that is wrong with it, but it won't fill in nicks and scratches. Still, it's going to sound better very soon.

2. Fill a sink or a large bowl with warm water and a drop or two of detergent. Just enough to make the solution soapy.

3. Dip the album into the solution until the water level gets near the label. Don't get the label wet, it could wash right off. Roll the album gently until the surface is covered with the sudsy water.

4. With your cloth or beloved underwear, rub around the grooves in the direction they are going, round and round the record. Don't go back and forth across the grooves. Do both sides that way, wash away the years of grimy buildup.

5. Turn on the cold tap water and rinse the soapy water off. You should have a pretty shiny record now. With another dry cloth (tea towel or underwear again) gently dry the album in the same direction you washed it. When it is fairly dry, you can even put it on your turntable, let it spin and air dry.

6. When you are sure it is dry, put the needle on the record and rock out. Or chill. Or dance. Or contemplate. Whatever it is you do when you've revived a wonderful piece of culture that's been sleeping for years. Fill the air with it's goodness.

Tips & Warnings

• Yes there are some great chemical solutions out there at any store that still deals in vinyl. You may also want to find a handy gadget called a preener to keep the dust off after regular playings.

• Don't bake cookies on old record albums. They could give off fumes and melt and really mess up your oven. There is a way to recycle old records and make them into containers, but that's another article.