How to Clean Record Albums The local independent record store was once a holy site for music enthusiasts, for whom music is so much more than a way to fill the void. There always seemed to be at least one in every college town, and discovering them was nearly as exciting as finding that rare Wipers record or crazily costly Dylan bootleg from 1969 that you’d been searching for since you were a toddler.
They were the gathering place for hipsters, admirers, and the inquisitive to socialize and discuss hidden gems. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find the local record stores of yesteryear: posters adorning the walls, and staff with piercings and tattoos displaying encyclopedic knowledge of the most abstract musical history imaginable.
The discovery of a new love when searching through piles of vinyl in a record store, feeling the cellophane-wrapped edges beneath your fingertips, and smelling that hard wax cannot be replicated. And that’s before you insert the disc into the player and drop the needle into the first song’s groove! Despite the development of listening technologies and the introduction of the streaming era, vinyl records are experiencing a significant rebound in popularity thanks to artist participation and events like Record Store Day.
However, both new and veteran vinyl enthusiasts sometimes neglect the need of keeping their records clean. If records are not adequately maintained, they may begin to exhibit significant wear sooner than planned. In addition to causing unwanted noise on the audiophile’s preferred format, fingerprints, dust, and scratches can harm the record’s surface, further degrading the sound quality.
The natural oils on your hands can even degrade the vinyl’s surface. Thankfully, cleansing your documents is a straightforward procedure that requires little preparation. Eliminating dust, grime, static electricity, and oils will help reduce pops and clicks during playback, hence increasing sound quality.
- As Seen in Record cleaning methods are beneficial, but they are not required.
- Record brushes and carbon fiber brushes are often used to clean vinyl records, however their use is not required.
- Applying too much force with a record brush can actually damage the vinyl, so it’s best to use a non-corrosive, non-abrasive cleaner and a microfiber cloth for the task.
Directions:
- Wipe carefully Remove any dust and static with a microfiber cloth, applying little pressure so as not to push particles further into the vinyl’s grooves. The objective is to collect bigger dust and dirt particles without destroying the record’s surface.
- Rinse. Moisten a clean microfiber cloth with water (distilled water is preferable) and carefully wipe the whole record’s surface in a circular motion, avoiding the central label.
- Utilize the Simple Green remedy. Add a little amount (about 1:30) to a bowl of water. Moisten the microfiber cloth lightly with the cleaning solution and gently wipe along the grooves of the record.
- Wet-wipe the surface clean. Using the same method as in step 2, wipe the surface clean, being careful to remove all cleaning solution.
- Dry. Use a dry microfiber towel to dry the record thoroughly. Use a can of compressed air to eliminate any residual tenacious moisture in deep grooves.
- Spin and store effectively. Enjoy your sparkling record! Before you play your record, ensure that the needle is clean and in good condition. The appropriate storage of vinyl records will avoid dust collection and potential issues.
WHERE CAN I BUY
WHERE CAN I BUY
How to Clean Record Albums
What common home products may be used to clean records?
Dish soap (or record cleaning solution) – Dish soap is the least expensive alternative, but it will leave a slight film on your recordings. A bottle of record cleaning solution will normally cost between $10 and $30. If there are no fingerprints or other greasy smudges on the record, you may clean it with water alone, which is really preferable for the record.
What is the most effective method for cleaning vinyl records?
It’s time for cleaning! We have compiled a number of choices to help you maintain your vinyl records in excellent condition. All highlighted items and services are selected independently by editors. Billboard may get a commission for orders placed through its retail connections, and the retailer may obtain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Now that summer is winding down and autumn is finally here, it is a wonderful time to begin organizing your vinyl record collection. It’s no secret that vinyl records are more popular than ever, and whether you have a large or little record collection, it’s important to maintain them clean and organized.
Similar to other kinds of tangible media, vinyl records must be maintained clean in order to function correctly. Fingerprints, dust, and scratches can harm the record’s surface, degrading the quality and adding unwanted noise. Even natural oils from your hands can deteriorate the vinyl record’s surface.
- There are particular solutions, vinyl record brushes, and cleaning kits meant to maintain your records in excellent condition when it comes to cleaning them.
- For instance, the Vinyl Buddy record cleaning kit ($20) has a near-perfect rating on Amazon, and you will receive a large quantity of things for a reasonable price.
The set includes a velvet brush, a microfiber brush, a stylus brush, a cleaning solution, and a storage pouch. Amazon Vinyl Buddy Record Cleaner Kit Ultimate Cleaning System, 5 Piece $20.99 $29.99 You may always choose for Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner and water for something simpler and potentially less expensive, depending on what you already have at home.
Lacking knowledge about Simple Green? It is a natural, multipurpose cleaning solution that is effective on nearly anything. Simple Green is designed to remove direct grease and stains from surfaces to soft carpets, including worktops, floors, textiles, equipment, automobiles, and more. Additionally, it is mild enough for your vinyl records.
A 32-ounce spray container of Simple Green costs between $2 and $5 while a gallon costs roughly $10. Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and more merchants carry it. Utilize a microfiber cleaning cloth to remove dust and static from your vinyl records in order to clean them.
Next, moisten a clean microfiber cloth (ideally with distilled water) and softly wash the record surface in a circular motion, avoiding the center of the record. Next, add a spray of Simple Green to a bowl of water (the business advises a ratio of 1:30) and clean the record using the same circular motion as the previous procedures.
Finally, a dry microfiber towel should be used to dry the vinyl record (you can also use compressed air to blow away any residual dust). After cleaning your record, all that’s left to do is listen to music! Just be careful to inspect the record player’s needle for any lingering dust particles that might distort the sound.
Wipe the Records Down – Using a lint-free cloth, wipe the records down to remove any dust or grime from the record’s surface. In general, you should always wipe your vinyl records clean of dust and filth as soon as you get them home. Since packing might cause dust to settle on recordings, quickly dusting the packaging may avoid record harm.
- Additionally, you must dust the records before and after usage.
- If there is persistent dust or filth in the grooves of your records, you should rinse them with cold water.
- You should ideally use distilled water to prevent contaminants from entering the grooves of the record.
- Avoid the label while using water for cleaning.
Dry the record well before playing it. You may also use a carbon fiber record cleaning brush as part of your normal cleaning and maintenance procedures. Moving the brush in a concentric motion, or along the same axis as the record, helps remove dirt and contaminants from the grooves of the record.
Baby wipes may be used to clean vinyl records.
As a result, I used a baby wipe to clean a record because my old felt brush was ineffective (Le-Bo magnetic cleaner). After cleaning it, I reinstalled it and it sounds good, with less pops, static, etc.
This includes a liquid cleaning solution and a brush for removing grime, fingerprints, and small scratches. Follow the application instructions on the packaging and allow sufficient drying time. The third alternative is to create a cleaning solution at home.
- In a spray bottle, combine 14 cup of isopropyl alcohol, 34 cup of distilled water, and a few drops of dishwashing detergent.
- Spray the solution onto the record and let it to fill the grooves for at least 30 seconds.
- Remove any excess moisture with a dry towel.
- Then, clean both sides of your record with a microfiber towel soaked in distilled water alone.
Allow it to completely dry before checking the sound. This is the ideal time to learn how to clean your record player, as you will be cleaning your records.
Can eyeglass cleaner be used on vinyl records?
Alcohol causes the record to dry out and deteriorate. Even if you use a cleaning containing alcohol, DO NOT use a glass cleaner. thats just simple sense! Glasses and vinyl (records) are NOT made of the same material; therefore, their cleaning solutions are entirely distinct.
