Cleaning Records

What are your favorite methods of cleaning records? I have taken a paper towel wetted but not sopping wet with distilled water,gently wiped in the direction of the grooves,then left to dry before playing.

Same method, but I use a microfiber cloth.
Dave

Paper towel, wetted, but, not sopping wet, with mild dish detergent. Luke warm water. Several times around with grooves. Then a dry towel to dry it off, and, polish.
Cleans off alot of sins.
Bill Cahill

I have a special velour brush that you add Isopropyl Alcohol on and hold it on the record while the platter turns the record It helps to use a little detergent in the solution as the soap has antistatic properties. I use to handle the records only by the edges and always returned them to their record sleeves after playing. Avoid getting the labels wet.

The evil empire of Walmart sells, in the automotive section, these blue Scott brand heavy duty paper towels. The strongest has some fibers in it for strength. Strongest not needed but still nice. The medium strength roll runs around $2.25 and is strong enough that one is able to wash them out with a dab of dish soap let them dry and re-use for record cleaning. Yeah...soo...I am a cheapskate.

I also use the velour cleaner these days. One thing I miss is the poop that was applied to a record, allowed to dry, then one would use a piece of masking tape to remove the dried cleaner as a sheet from the record. It came with a dry lubricant and was great stuff!

I was told never to use any kind of alcohol on records as it has some kind of interaction with the vinyl and acetate compounds....

Mild soap and plain water is okay.

I have purchased all kinds of fancy cleaning systems for records over the last 50 years. Most were not worth the investment. I have found in my old age that the best procedure for cleaning LP's is good old Windex and a terry cloth towel. Gets the dirt and leaves no residue. Just that "Windex shine". I use plain water on 78's.

Regards.

WC

After the record is cleaned, when playing it, I had a cylindrical velour dust bug on a holder that pivots and contacts and dusts out the grooves as it plays. The velour on the cylinder began to deteriorate, so I made a broad brush about a quarter of an inch wide from my hair to replace the cylinder. That has worked well for about 15 years now.

Hello people-

I'm a newbie here. This is my first post.

I just recently discovered a unique way of cleaning records that you may or may not want to try that is great for vinyl that has alot of old surface dirt that may not come off with traditional record cleaning methods. The main ingredient is wood glue and you can find a short video describing the process here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpQv1s4x2cU

I've tried this process twice so far and had great results with one LP that had alot of old surface dirt. After the cleaning, the vinyl had a restored luster and I'd say about 90-95% free of surface noise. On an older record from the 50s that was actually still sealed when I got it the results were not as stellar mainly because of a tough stain (maybe mildew) that was pretty baked into the vinyl after 60 years of storage wear but I think this was an extreme case. I wouldn't be surprised if this stain was a defect when the record was brand new in the store way back when because it was pretty deep in there. I still plan on doing this process again especially on my vinyl that appears clean but has alot of surface noise. In the YouTube video the person says to use an antistatic tool after peeling the glue off. I didn't find that there was any static issue after I did the peel. They also have some fun playing the negative impression the glue makes after it's peeled from the record. That's not something I really wanted to try.

I would also recommend using a spare turntable or one you don't care too much about. It's not a messy process, but I found that my first try got a tad messier than I expected. My second try was more precise. Still I'd use a 'work' turntable.

Good post! Be sure to introduce yourself in the introduction forum. And welcome!

19&41 wrote:Good post! Be sure to introduce yourself in the introduction forum. And welcome!

Just did so. Thanks, glad to be here!

Dr. Radio wrote:I was told never to use any kind of alcohol on records as it has some kind of interaction with the vinyl and acetate compounds....

Mild soap and plain water is okay.

BUT DO NOT EVER CLEAN EDISON Diamond Discs with soap and water. Alcohol is used for cleaning these. Without looking up the composite of a DD the water can ruin a DD.