How to Get Heavy Mildew Off of LPs
Vinyl LPs can be a goldmine for enthusiasts and resellers. Whether you plan to enjoy them yourself or sell them, though, it's integral to keep them in good shape. Unfortunately, buried treasures like record albums are often stored in less-than perfect environments, allowing them to collect dust, and even mildew, which can seriously hamper their performance--if not render them completely unplayable. Mildew will eventually destroy the vinyl altogether. Fortunately, removing even heavy mildew from vinyl LPs is not difficult, allowing you to preserve these pieces of musical history.
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Things You'll Need
- Ventilation mask
- Vinyl, latex or rubber gloves
- Soft cloths
- Isopropyl alcohol (70 percent by volume)
- Water
- Empty spray bottle
Instructions
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Assemble supplies in a well-ventilated area. Put on ventilation mask and gloves.
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Remove loose, powdery mildew from the LPs with a soft cloth, working in the direction of the record's grooves. Replace or turn cloth often to prevent re-soiling the LP, removing as much mildew as possible.
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Mix one part isopropyl alcohol with three parts water in the spray bottle. Spray a clean, soft cloth with alcohol solution.
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Wipe the record with the cloth, working in the direction of the grooves. Replace the cloth as it becomes soiled. Continue wiping LP until the cloth comes away clean.
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Dampen a clean cloth just barely with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. Wipe gently over the LP's label to remove any mildew. Take care not to saturate the label, though.
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Wipe the LP dry, very gently, with a soft clean cloth. Allow label to air dry to avoid smearing ink.
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Tips & Warnings
Always handle LPs by the labels or edges as much as possible to avoid scratching the grooves.
After cleaning your LPs, do not put them back in covers that are also mildewed. This will result in re-infestation of mildew on the LP. Store them instead in replacement sleeves.
To prevent mildew from returning or growing on other records, take care not to store LPs in damp environments such as basements and attics.
Storing albums packed tightly together restricts air circulation and encourages the growth of mildew. Albums should be stored vertically, with enough space between separate albums that air can circulate.
Inhaling mildew spores can be harmful to your health. Perform these steps in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors, but out of direct sunlight, which is harmful to vinyl records.
Records produced before the mid-1950s were often made of shellac. These should not be cleaned with alcohol, which poses a risk of dissolving the grooves. Shellac records can be identified by their smaller size and heavier weight if a date is not visible on the label.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit record player image by jeancliclac from Fotolia.com
