Many people think of cleaning their vinyl as a complicated, confusing procedure. But all of these difficulties can be overcome by regular, simple cleaning techniques.
Cleaning your vinyl has the reputation of a difficult, time-consuming task. But we don’t think it is. In fact, much of the unwanted materials on your vinyl’s surface can be removed using soft, micro-fibre cloths and a circular cleaning motion, or an anti-static gun. If this doesn’t work, you can do a heavier clean using homemade cleaning solutions and a bit of elbow grease.
However, in the long run, if you do not store your vinyl correctly, no amount of cleaning can save your records
Cleaning your vinyl is a worthwhile, therapeutic errand. It ensures a clear, warm sound from your beloved record in exchange from just minutes of cleaning.
Cleaning your vinyl records can be a tricky process, but it doesn’t need to be. The most important step is inspecting your vinyl, seeing what kind of dirt/debris/gunk is upon the vinyl’s surface and cleaning it appropriately. There are two tactics used to do this: a light clean or a heavy clean.
The steps involved in a light-clean of your vinyl are:
The steps involved in a heavy-clean of your vinyl are:
Cleaning vinyl can be a delicate procedure; that’s why its vitally important that you use the right tools. One perfectly designed tool for cleaning your vinyl is the Anti-Static Record (Vinyl) Cleaning Brush.
An Anti-static brush is very good at cleaning your vinyls for two reasons. Firstly, with the brush’s design, specifically the spacing between brushes, it is able to enter the grooves on your record. This means that dirt, debris, and generally bad things can be removed from these grooves.
Secondly, because of the material the brush is made from, the brush will actually drain static electricity from the record’s surface. Dust is chemically attracted to this static electricity, so with it removed dust should not gather.
The main cause of static electricity building up on your vinyl records is the friction generated between the record player’s stylus and the vinyl grooves (which are cut into the vinyl), which the stylus runs along. A second, though less prominent source is the removal of the vinyl from its storage sleeve.
A solution to this problem is using an anti-static gun. So how to you clean with with a static gun? The gun works by removing the static electricity gathered on the record. In turn, this reduces the build-up of dust and grime in your vinyl’s grooves.
The easiest way to know if there is static on your vinyl record is just using your sight. If there is any dust/dirt/grime on the surface, there is static electricity (this is because they are attracted to the electricity).
A second way to tell if there is static on your vinyl record is to use your hearing. When removing the record from its sleeve, if you hear any kind of crackle, there is static present.
If an anti-static gun or anti-static brush is out of your price range, you can use a micro-fibre cloth to clean your vinyl.
However, to clean your vinyl using micro-fibre clothes, you have to make sure the cleaning material is non-abrasive and smooth. These cloths can be found comparatively cheaply, and they are very good at absorbing oils, dust and grime that can appear on your vinyl.
A simple method of cleaning your beloved vinyl is to use canned air. These pressured containers are very good at quickly removing the things you want from your record’s surface.
Remember, you have to follow the instructions on the canned air’s packaging carefully and to avoid spraying the record from too close a distance. Additionally, canned air can often release condensation when spraying air – if this happens, quickly wipe up any liquid from the vinyl’s surface with a dry, soft cloth.
Using a Stylus Brush is one of the most effective methods of quickly cleaning your record. Over time, it is an inevitability that dust will gather on your stylus. This dust that can transfer onto your record, specifically into its grooves, and cause skipping and even damage.
To prevent this, we recommend using a Stylus Brush. This brush can be attached to the end of your record player’s arm (which hovers above the record). Then, as the record rotates, dust will be removed and prevented from coming into contact with your stylus.
When you are not using your stylus brush, we recommend storing it face up (so the bristles do not become further contaminated) alongside your record player.
Applying cleaning solutions to your vinyl must be done carefully. For example, if caring for an older, much-played record, do not liberally apply cleaning solution. In fact, to be safe, test out any cleaning solutions (whether bought pre-mixed or create yourself) on a less-loved, trial vinyl disc.
The actual method used to clean a vinyl record using a cleaning solution is quite simple.
Hands down, this is the most-accessible method of cleaning your precious vinyl (because there is no need to order any new equipment or cleaning solutions). All that is required is hot water, soap and your vinyl for choice.
For many record collectors, the only ‘true’ way to clean your vinyl is to use vinegar. This is not a complicated method but be careful when creating your vinegar-water solution. Too much vinegar can prove acidic and damage the vinyl.
Remember, vinegar is acidic. That means if you live somewhere where mould is a constant problem, acidity can accelerate this growth and potentially damage your vinyl. Also, only use white vinegar as it is 95% water.
If you care for your vinyl collection properly over-time, you will not need to do these deep cleans quite so frequently. Below, we have listed a selection of easy tips-to-follow on how to keep your vinyl in pristine condition
After you’ve made sure your records are as clean as can be (using our guidance and advice from above), you can either play or store records. If you are going to store your vinyl, we would recommend you invest in some inner sleeves to protect your records.
Inner Sleeves are thin, paper holsters that act as a buffer between the actual vinyl record and the sleeve/jacket/case it lives in. These paper lines are made of heavyweight, alkaline, and acid free paper which will help reduce static and therefore, dirt accumulation.
If possible, avoid using plastic inner sleeves as a replacement for these paper sleeves. The light plastic can actually stick to your vinyl (under heat) and leave permanent marks on the record’s surface.
Another underappreciated method of keeping your vinyl records in tip-top shape is using Outer Sleeves. An Outer Sleeve is a thin, plastic covering which slips over the entire record and its sleeve/jacket/case it lives in.
These sleeves will ensure your vinyls don’t get dusty in between spins thanks to the durable polypropylene plastic that the sleeves are made from.
Vinyl is a sensitive, delicate material. Particularly when we consider the interior grooves cut into the surface. Therefore, there are certain things that we should not subject our vinyl to, in case we damage it permanently:
Hope that was helpful!
Thanks,
Tom
Absolutely amazing service just received my cd sleeves today and they look sooo good!! Tom was absolutely brilliant I’ve never done this before and he helped me through the entire process and went that extra mile to make sure I got the cds before a gig highly recommended and will be using there service again in the future ❤️
If ya looking for the right sound of your product, dont waste your time. Tom is the person you need!!
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Hey I’m Tom, I’m a mastering engineer here at Audio Unity Group. I mostly look after Vinyl production and audio side of things. I hold a bachelor’s degree with honours from Kingston University in London. I love audio and helping others create outstanding-sounding records.