How To Clean Analogue Vinyl Records
Whether you are a DJ or just a fanatical audiophile and vinyl record collector, many of us here at DiscoMusic.com have accumulated thousands of vinyl records over the years. In an effort to digitally preserve your priceless records you may have considered transferring and restoring your vinyl record collection to CD by using your computer and some audio recording / editing software. Before you do, remember that in order to extract the best sound from your discs it's important to start with scrupulously clean records and equipment such as your stylus.
Vinyl discs that are kept clean and free of dirt, dust and oils from one's fingers will sound much clearer and more importantly last longer. Since clean records have less clicks, crackle and pop you'll have less work when it comes to the restoration phase and attain much better results. Lets discuss some popular ways of cleaning records either with a machine or by hand.
How To Clean Vinyl Records Using a Record Cleaning Machine
If you have more than a few hundred vinyl records I'm not going to mince words: Use a vacuum record cleaner such as those sold by
Nitty Gritty,
VPI or Keith Monks. The results are far quicker, safer and superior to anything you could attempt to do by hand as the machine will apply the record cleaning solution, properly scrub the record and finally vacuum the dirt and liquid off leaving you with a dry and pristine vinyl record.
A record cleaning machine is simply a box with a motor that turns a platter with a vacuum suction tube that has an applicator pad or soft brush. One simply places the record on the platter, primes the pump to apply the record cleaning solution and let the record spin a few revolutions to work loose any dirt and oils that are in the grooves of the record. You then flip the switch and the vacuum sucks up any crud and fluid as well as drying the record. Pretty simple, but make sure you clean the pads / brushes after each record.
While you could make your own record cleaning solution from household items it is far better to buy ready-made solutions such as Nitty Gritty Pure 2 or Super Vinyl Wash by Record Research Lab. All of these are safe for use in record cleaning machines and on all vinyl records (non-shellac). I have also used Record Research Lab's Super Deep Cleaner before using the above for an even cleaner record.
As good as a record cleaning machine is there are times when I will get a really dirty record from the flea market and wash it by hand FIRST before putting it on the machine so as not to foul up the expensive machine.
I use the Nitty Gritty Mini Pro2 and swear by it. If cost is a consideration and why wouldn't it, then consider getting a used Nitty Gritty or VPI record cleaner from
eBay as they always have plenty up for sale. A new bare bones manual Nitty Gritty machine known as the Record Doctor starts at around $199.(US) whereas some of the better automatic VPI's can go for almost a grand if not more. Regardless of which machine you chose it is a wise and solid investment and strongly recommended if you value your priceless records.
How To Clean Vinyl Records By Hand
The Nitty Griitty and VPI vacuum record cleaning machines are expensive so if you want to do it by hand note the following:
Just as with a VPI or Nitty Gritty record cleaning machine, the best way to clean records is by buying a commercially available record cleaning solution such as Last or
Discwasher D4, which usually come with an applicator brush. The Last Company makes some good although pricey manual cleaners for records and your cartridge stylus and comes highly recommended. You could also use the same cleaners sold for use in machines, but you'll need to buy a good record cleaning brush to use them.
To begin, lay the record on a clean flat surface such as on a soft towel on a table or place the record on the turntable platter. If you decide to clean your records while they are on the turntable make sure to secure the tonearm so it doesn't accidentally swing across the record as you are cleaning it and do not apply too much pressure on the platter as you can damage the bearings. Also pay attention not to get any record cleaning fluid on the platter or turntable finish.
Follow the directions on the bottle, but generally one applies the liquid to the applicator brush and not on the record itself. Take the brush and place it on top of the record and turn the platter counter clockwise a few times to work the dirt loose. Look at the brush, you should see some dirt or lint on it so carefully remove it and go another round cleaning the record till no more dirt or crud appears on the brush. Since alcohol is the primary ingredient of most record cleaning solutions the record should dry fairly quickly, but do let it air dry before flipping it over to clean the other side or place it back in its sleeve. Before you flip the record over though make sure the surface or platter is clean as the dirty uncleaned side was just there!
Using Homemade Record Cleaning Solutions
Can't find record cleaning supplies in your area? Don't want to spend money? Then try using some household items instead. Use Isopropyl 90% alcohol or higher. Do NOT use rubbing alcohol or witch hazel as they contain additives that can harm your records. Dishwashing liquid without any moisturizers work well such as Joy or Dawn. It cleans dirty records well, but you have to avoid getting it on the label and rinsing all of it off quickly. Try not to get the label wet. If it does get wet then blot it dry immediately. Do NOT rub it. Try not to use tap water to clean your records. Instead use distilled water, which can be easily found in your supermarket or drugstore. The real trick is to properly rinse all this stuff off your vinyl records and get them dry without scratching them.
What NOT To Use Or Do To Your Vinyl Records
Someone once asked on the DiscoMusic.com forums about using lighter fluid to clean records. Do NOT use that on records or baby lotion either. Even if Zippo does remove dirt... one doesn't know the checmical reaction it can have on vinyl records either now or over time. Don't play with fire :-) When it comes to record cleaning, stick with the time tested methods such as vacuum record cleaning machines from VPI or Nitty Gritty, using record cleaning brushes like the Hunt or Decca carbon fiber brushes, Discwasher or LAST brand record cleaners.
Wet Playing Your Records
Never "wet play" your vinyl records. Thoroughly clean and dry them before playing. "Wet playing" sounds like an ideal solution-at first. In reality the liquid starts to evaporate as the record is played and the needle just starts to dig the junk further into the grooves and now contaminates the entire disc. It clogs up the styli muddying the sound and can cause damage to the styli and cantilever as water seeps into the cracks and erodes the glue that holds it together.
As this crud starts to dry it just makes it more difficult to now properly clean the record. Once a record is "wet played" it needs to be played that way again to sound acceptable.
With thousands of records in our music collections the last thing one wants to do is ruin them. Please don't "wet play" a record unless you know that you are going to discard the disc and want to get one last shot at archiving / restoring it to a digital medium.
Record cleaning machines, record carbon fiber cleaning brushes, supplies...
Record sleeves for vinyl records
How To Store and Care For Vinyl Records
Cleaning your vinyl records is only part of the equation. Properly storing and handling those records are just as important so here are some quick tips.
- Never touch the record with your fingers as the oil and dirt can transfer to the record.
- Resist the temptation to rub dirt off a record by wiping it against your T-shirt or other clothing. Use a record cleaning brush instead like the Hunt or Decca carbon fiber brushes.
- After cleaning your vinyl records make sure to put it into a new paper or anti-static plastic inner sleeve as using the old sleeve will just put the old dirt right back. Mobile Fidelity and the Discwasher VPI sleeves are very nice.
- Store your record jackets inside heavy gauge plastic outer sleeves. This really helps in reducing the round scuff marks on the outer jacket and keeps it looking like new for years.
- Store vinyl records vertically on a shelf or record storage cabinet like you would a book. Never lay records flat as this will almost certainly cause them to warp.
We're all done! Go and play some of those records on your tunrtable and enjoy the music. While you are at it go check out the ultimate Disco record discography in the
Disco Vault and also submit the details of your records to the database.
Please feel free to link to this page by using this URL:
http://www.discomusic.com/101-more//6193_0_7_0_C/
YOUR COMMENTS
What do you think about the classics "Discwasher" srush/liquid method?
The Discwasher D4 record cleaning kits with the large brush is perfectly fine if you can still find it.
The Discwasher D4 Record Cleaning Kits is now made by RCA.
I love this tidbit of info as I have 9000 lp's. infortuneatly I can't get the static out of them like I want but from looking here there is a way to do it for sure. I want to know if there is some good glue that I can use to close up the lp's that have separated at the top or bottom. I would like to post my lp collection email me to let me know if that is what you are asking for. thanks a bunch.
Posted by:
soulsta | Jan 27, 06 | 6:39 am
I'm new to record collecting, and dont really have a clue how to look after them!!! lol I have some rare ones, Beatles, Led Zepplin, Jimmy Hendrix and don't want to ruin them. If anyone can help give me some advice I would appricate it. Thanks Samantha.
What would be the best way to clean a record that has crud semi-caked on part of it? Where would be the best place for me to pick up the right carbon fiber brush for the job? I ask because I found Pink Floyd's Darkside Of The Moon (original 1973 release) record in a friends garage as we were doing some cleaning. I am new to vinyl and would really love to have this record cleaned up so I can properly show off and listen to my discovery. Any information would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
Posted by:
Daryl | May 21, 06 | 4:17 pm
If you have an old record with crud, it's best to use a drop of dishwashing liquid and warm water. The sudsy solution should dissolve the crud, but you may need to do it a few times taking care not to get any of it on the label. Rinse thoroughly and follow up with regular record cleaning solution or alcohol if you must.
Samantha, did you read the article you posted the comment in?
Posted by:
Jay | Dec 06, 07 | 11:31 am
Here's a great way to remove dirt from the deepest groove of an LP: Buy liquid latex rubber from a costume/theatrical makeup supply store. CAREFULLY brush on a layer of this liquid, following the direction of the grooves. Let it dry thoroughly. Peel off, being sure to get every last little bit from the grooves (this is easier than you would expect!) You must lay on enough latex to form a substantial layer or it will be difficult to remove because it will tear. Removing the latex takes dust and other gunk with it, leaving the LP in as good condition as you can possibly make it. I have been doing this for over twenty years and the latex does not harm the vinyl in the least. Once treated this way, you should not have to do it ever again, assuming you keep the record clean.
Do you know if there is any record stores in milwaukee that sell vinyl records.If so, would you please email me the addrees.
Thank you
I have a fair collection of records (some physically showing signs of wear, but mostly in good condition). One way I recommend (having tried with good results) is spraying 90% isopropyl alcohol on the record and wiping it off with a plain facial tissue (no lotion). This works on surface dirt, but will not do much if the record is filthy dirty. And you always have to work concentrically (unlike a CD, where you clean it radially) to minimize scratching the grooves.
One temptation is to use your forearms to clean a record. THIS DOES NOT WORK! All it does is gets the surface dust off and puts oil into the record grooves. Dusting a record rarely works, except with a proper brush (and even then it is not very effective at removing more than dust).
Keeping the records clean is just as important. If you store them in their sleeves and do not handle them with dirty hands, they should not get very dirty in the first place. Leaving the records out for prolonged periods of time, handling them with dirty hands, and having food or drink on them will dirty a record quickly. And if you smoke, or have a smoker around your records, that is a super effective way to thoroughly dirty a record because the smoke will find the deepest grooves and possibly ruin the record.
Speaking of ruining a record, one must NEVER use solvents other than plain distilled water, 90% alcohol, or detergent which must be thoroughly rinsed off. Acetone, hexane, and related chemicals will dissolve the vinyl and ruin the record (even if they get the record clean). I do not trust ammonia, either. Oils will not work, and they will attract other dirt into the record (what would have been a dusting job becomes a deep cleaning problem). These records are made of a plastic, so solvents that may dissolve plastic must be avoided.
Does anyone know how to remove the plastic residue left by some plastic inner sleeves mainly from the sixties/seventies?
Posted by:
Tom | Feb 08, 08 | 11:31 am
thanks, this helps a lot.
Posted by:
Mike | Mar 10, 08 | 12:44 pm
Any problems storing the vinyl in a 2mm plastic zip lock bag?
I've used the D4 by RCA. I have NOT
noticed any improvement in record
fidelity. (the sound didn't improve)
I don't think the brush that came with
the kit is good enough. Also, I NEVER
see any so-called "crud" come off my
LPs. So I'm going to assume that the
D4 solution is not as good as is
claimed to be. My theory is that if you can get a fine non-metal brush and run the LP in the opposite direction, ...
you MIGHT
be able to work free some dust that causes those pops. But the crackle
sound is something totally different.
Also a new needle will probably go
a long way to making old LPs sound
better. If you CAN'T get a decent
play out of an LP, there's really
NOT going to be a very good sounding wav or mp3 file. "Garbage in, garbage out". I think the crackle is static
and humidity is the only cure for that.
Think about it for a moment,.. in the
winter time it's easy top build up static charge and shock your friends.
(because the cold drops all humidity
to the ground.) BUT,.. in the summer
the humidity is high and you can't shock your friends. Correct? Hence
one needs a certain amount of humidity
to deter static on your LP.
Best of luck
Any ideas on how to rewarp a record? I thought about putting it between 2 panes of glass and putting it in the sun for a while. Sure hate to throw them out.
Posted by:
DuBois | Apr 11, 08 | 5:17 pm
