Vinyl Record FAQs : How to Clean Old Records

Cleaning old records is something that must be done to preserve their quality and longevity. Clean your records the proper way with help from a record store employee in this free video.

Expert: Mark Steckler
Contact: rockaway.com
Bio: Mark Steckler, a self-proclaimed record fetishist, has worked at Rockaway Records for six years.
Filmmaker: Jay Gianukos

Series Description: Vinyl records are making a strong comeback as the highest quality method to listen to music. Learn all about this audio format with help from a record store employee in this free video series.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• vinyl records
• music
• LP
• vinyl pressing
• albums
• turntables
• music albums
• sleeves

[Fonofilm]

Please never use this suggested method of record cleaning.

1) Dirt and grime are rubbed into the grooves, you just remove the surface dust

2) Glass cleaner leaves a residue that will attract more dirt (grooved vinyl is not a mirror surface that can be wiped off)

3) Glass cleaner contains alcohol solvent that will dry out the vinyl (remove the plasticizers causing the vinyl to become brittle by time)

4) A cloth containing cotton will scratch the vinyl.

[NoEgg4u]

"How to Clean Old Records"

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Age is irrelevant.

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Brand new vinyl should be cleaned before allowing your stylus to pick up gunk left in the grooves from the pressing equipment.

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There is a lot of discussion here about whether or not this cleaning method is safe for vinyl. I would not want any impurities building up on my stylus, too.

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This guy might know the record business. But that does not make him an expert on what is safe for a stylus. Maybe he is an expert?  I don't know.

[posthumanhero]

the first way looked good........but the second way was frightening.

[TheFRiNgEguitars]

not clean! Some of the particles on the surface are deposited in the grooves, which makes matters worse. Cleaning the surface is like sweeping a new sidewalk. Some of the dirt ends up in the cracks.

1) Dirt and dust become quite invisible when lodged in the grooves (looking clean is not clean)

2) cleaning cloths do not clean deep into the grooves (they drive more particles into them)

3) The stylus plays the grooves, not the surface

4) so why is this record guy cleaning the surface?

[OldSonRecords]

@Gilsams Check a local record store or online for record cleaning kits. They are safe & affordable. A machine is pricey & so most people will do fine with the kits & regular maintenance. Microfiber is safe, but the record should be dusted off lightly before applying any cloth with pressure to avoid scuffing it up with the dust particles. Otherwise, they will just dig deeper into the vinyl. Dust your records before each play and before each washing. Hope this helps.

[Gilsams]

@Fonofilm Ok, so what kind of cloth is safe? Do tell where there is a reliable and accurate source of vinyl cleaning information..

[LorenzoNW]

@xxx69ajj69xxx Best bang for the buck (if you have a big collection and mid to high-end stereo) is a Clearaudio Smart Matrix Professional Record Cleaning Machine. And it cleans release agents from new records. If you don't have $1500 to spend, get an Audioquest carbon fiber brush for $15. It lifts dust out of the grooves instead of grinding it in. It also demagnetizes your records by holding the record in one hand and lightly touching the brush to the record surface twice (on opposite sides).

[ThaMuzeekEnthuziest]

the record stores i go to use a record cleaner

[Yesmathius]

@Fonofilm Agreed 100% Cleaning records this way is a disaster. I can't believe this guy, who works at a record store would say this. That "new" corduroy Discwasher is a piece of garbage. The vintage one is better, but the fact remains is that this guy is all about not cleaning records at all. Too bad, really. Look around, there's incredible information here on how to properly clean vinyl. Total thumbs down, this.