The Right Way to Clean Vinyl Records Without Damaging Them
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Cleaning vinyl records is pretty simple if you take your time and use the right supplies and tools. Fingerprints, dust, and dirt can get in the grooves, causing skips, clicks, and crackles. Gunk in the grooves can cause the needle to jump and scratch the surface.
A vinyl record cleaning kit is great to have on hand since it comes with a velvet vinyl brush, a microfiber cloth, and a cleaning solution, giving you everything you need to clean your records effectively.
Here's how to clean vinyl records using dry or wet methods so you can enjoy your music to the fullest.
Instructions
How to Deep Clean Vinyl Records
When a record is extremely dirty or has visible fingerprints and smudges, wet cleaning with a vinyl cleaning solution is necessary to remove the residue. Be sure to dry clean any dust or dirt particles before wet cleaning.
Wet Clean the Record
Place the record on a vinyl cleaning mat using the center spindle to secure the record. Do not wet clean a record on a turntable because you might damage the player's components.
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Remove Surface Dust
Dry clean the record with a carbon-fiber or velvet vinyl brush to remove dust.
Spray on Vinyl Cleaner
Spray on an alcohol-free commercial cleaning solution using a light touch. Do not spray near the center paper label.
To clean near the label, spritz some of the cleaner on a microfiber towel and wipe the area carefully.
Wipe Away Grime
Wipe away the grime with a dry microfiber towel in a counter-clockwise motion following the record's grooves. Use a gentle touch, but be sure that the towel is making contact with the floor of the record.
Dry the Vinyl
Use a fresh, dry microfiber cloth to dry the record. Work in the same counter-clockwise motion following the grooves.
How to Dry Clean Vinyl Records
Dry cleaning a record takes only a few minutes and removes the microscopic dust caught in the vinyl grooves. Use a record cleaning mat to prevent spreading dust into the components of the turntable.
Place the record on the turntable and turn it on so the record is spinning.
Place an anti-static carbon fiber brush or velvet cleaning brush on the record surface at a 90-degree angle, starting from the outer rim.
Allow the record to spin a few times and move the brush inward toward the center of the record, cleaning the entire surface.
