How to Clean Vinyl Records (2025 ): Vacuums, Solution, Wipes

Unless you’re purchasing them new– and typically even then– your vinyl records are most likely unclean. New records are staticky and draw in dust; old records have actually been being in boxes in other individuals’ basements. Take it from somebody who has actually purchased, offered, discovered, cleaned up, and brought back some dirty, oily gems: Your records most likely require an excellent bath.

Listed below you’ll discover whatever you require to learn about getting (and keeping) your wax fresh. Intrigued in other audio ideas? Make certain to take a look at our list of the best turntables and our guide on how to update your home audio free of charge or inexpensive

Upgraded March 2025: We included details about ultrasonic cleansing, upgraded the format, and inspected links and rates.

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Why Wiping Won’t Work

If you do a fast Amazon searchyou’ll discover a lots of items that profess to tidy vinyl records. Generally, they utilize sprays and some type of cleaning gadget, like a fabric or pad, to clean up the surface area. Vinyl grooves are so little that the fibers of any fabric can’t perhaps reach within. While you may get cleaning up liquid into the grooves, getting it back out is quite hard. This indicates that the conventional wipe-off or spin-and-clean design gadgets primarily simply spread out the dirt around in the grooves.

That’s where vacuum suction or ultrasonic cleaners can be found in. Elegant record-cleaning makers like this one from Pro-Ject ($450) utilize a plate and a vacuum system to physically draw the nasty cleansing option out of the grooves, with a motor that spins the record in 2 instructions. Ultrasonic cleaners utilize high-frequency noise to basically shake dirt from the grooves. Both work effectively to make sure that the dirt, dust, and gunk are in fact coming out of the small grooves on your record.

Tools of the Trade

If you’re going the suction path, you can purchase an all-in-one record cleaner like the one made by Pro-Ject above, or if you’re feeling economical, you can merely purchase among these amazing accessories ($30) for a little store vacuum.

All you require is cleaning up option ($35)a inexpensive paintbrush ($7) a vacuum ($50)and an old record gamer or spindle to turn the record as you vacuum the option out of the grooves. Search for old ones at thrift stores, considering that all you require is a table that physically spins, not that plays music. I have actually had incredible outcomes cleaning my records utilizing this system, taking crusty old records to glossy tidy work of arts in a couple of minutes.

If you wish to tidy records ultrasonically (finest for folks who have huge collections, since you can clean up numerous discs simultaneously), I suggest a mid-tier generic design like this one ($425)(A premium design will run you about two times as much, however it does the specific very same thing.) The ultrasonic cleaner vibrates the cleansing service around the records at a super-high frequency, which assists the grit and grime simply fall straight off into the cleansing basin as it spins on the consisted of motor. When tidy, you simply position them on the consisted of drying rack.

When you’ve got your vacuum system or ultrasonic system established, it’s basically a wax-on, wax-off scenario. Spread out the cleansing service on the record while spinning it (or fill the basin of the ultrasonic cleaner), ensuring to fill every groove.

Let the record sit for a couple of seconds with cleaner or spin for a couple of minutes in the ultrasonic basin. With a vacuum system, you then utilize the vacuum nozzle to draw up the liquid while turning the record, making sure to get as much as possible before permitting any recurring liquid to vaporize. With the ultrasonic cleaner, you do not require to vacuum out the gunk for each record you clean up, due to the fact that it’s currently been shaken to the bottom of the basin, so you simply require to put them on the drying rack.

If a record (or, more reasonably, stack of records) is particularly unclean, I clean them 2 times with either technique in gradually cleaner fluid– I do all my records as soon as, then alter the fluid and do them once again in the ultrasonic cleaner. Make sure to have a tidy microfiber towel ($5) and a drying station so that the record is completely dry before returning it to its product packaging.

Scratches or Warps?

You can’t clean up scratches or successfully repair deformed records, so keep your records in an upright, tidy environment. (Records stacked in a different way can warp from their own weight.) Do not keep your records someplace specifically hot or cold, or anywhere where temperature level differs a lot, as it can impact the vinyl’s durability.

When purchasing utilized records, it’s crucial to understand the distinction in between a filthy disc and a scratched or deformed one. I advise utilizing an intense portable flashlight or the light on your mobile phone to check any utilized records you’re interested in purchasing for scratches and to make certain they’re flat.

How Often Should I Clean?

Whenever your records are unclean! For many people, a single comprehensive cleansing of all their records followed by cleaning up every 10 to 20 plays per side is an excellent start. I spring-clean my own. I make a stack of ones that have actually been played a lot plus more recent records that I’ve never ever cleaned up. (New records can have oils utilized to separate them from journalism still on the surface area, and therefore get gunky faster than formerly cleaned up records.) From there, it’s Netflix and tidy.

I’m not such a tidy freak that I use white gloves when I manage my vinyl, however if you’ve got particularly oily hands, it can be an excellent concept. Constantly manage your records as indirectly as possible– grip them from the edges or from the edge and the label instead of touching the playing surface areas.

Before playing a record, tidy the needle (I like these gummy little cleaners ($15)and make certain that you’ve brushed your record so the needle isn’t grinding dust into the surface area (the source of lots of pops when listening). Effectively kept, your records ought to last lots of years of playing time. Keep in mind: A tidy record is a pleased record!

How to Store Records

Consider someplace that keeps a constant temperature and is dry and you’ll have a great location to save your collection. I extremely advise you get a set of plastic sleeve covers for your discs ($23) and a set of interior disc protectors ($17) for within your record sleeves. I tend to lose the ones that include records like I lose socks, so it’s good to have more internal sleeves on hand. Otherwise, shop your records someplace dry and upright, with very little pressure on the exterior of each disc (which can trigger warping).