Vinyl Cleaning Methods - How do you clean your vinyl?

Calypso · Oct 3, 2024

Been away from the vinyl world for a couple of decades and out of curiosity, I decided to revive my Technics SL-1600 direct drive. With regards to cleaning, I am going to start simple, learn, and perhaps upgrade to the more sophisticated cleaning approaches (e.g. ultrasonics). Having lived in Germany, I am a fan of products from there so will purchase a carbon fibre brush as a starter.

ursa major große neue Kohlefaserbürste -Geschenk für Vinylfans -conductive brush -

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And once cleaned I will store the records in anti-static sleeves.

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Like I said, simple starting point.

John Shriver · Oct 3, 2024

I have a Deccabrush for light cleaning. On the rare occasion of a used record being bought, I drag out my Nitty Gritty machine. The rotation motor is no longer very happy.

Sal1950 · Oct 3, 2024

My LP's never need cleaning.
I dumped all 300+ of them, along with everything vinyl related 20+ years ago.
Strictly clean, pure, digital sources here.

Xopher · Oct 3, 2024

Very interesting methods, most of which I have tried over the years.
When I was collecting in the 70s I bought new and only brushed them as I played with a Diskwasher kit, I used the fluid on the velvet brush.
During the 80s I started collecting CDs instead.
I renewed collecting vinyl in the 90s but these were second hand so I needed a method to clean them extremely well.
My brother in law worked in a Metal testing company who used an Ultrasonic bath to clean the cracks in the metal before the viewed them in an electron microscope.

I thought I could use an ultrasonic bath to clean records, I found a 6Lt model over seas and like gasper0007fr, I built a rotating mechanism to hold 10 records at once.
I use 4Lt of distilled water, 100ml of isopropyl, and 4 drops of Photoflo to do a warm 10min wash.
I then remove the washing fluid, filted back into it's container, and fill the tank with clean distilled water to do a rinse cycle.

Then I spin dry the 10 records on the shaft using a drill. Call me crazy but it works

Once clean I don't even need to brush them before playing.

For other peoples records I use a carbon brush.

As we know there are now many Ultrasonic cleaners available, but not 30 years ago,,,, They ALL copied my idea....

Sonnie Parker · Oct 3, 2024

Sal1950 said:
My LP's never need cleaning.
I dumped all 300+ of them, along with everything vinyl related 20+ years ago.
Strictly clean, pure, digital sources here.

LOL... As I age and recently retired, I need more variety in my listening. Our vinyl room gives me a bit of nostalgic listening.

Sonnie Parker · Oct 3, 2024

Xopher said:
Very interesting methods, most of which I have tried over the years.
When I was collecting in the 70s I bought new and only brushed them as I played with a Diskwasher kit, I used the fluid on the velvet brush.
During the 80s I started collecting CDs instead.
I renewed collecting vinyl in the 90s but these were second hand so I needed a method to clean them extremely well.
My brother in law worked in a Metal testing company who used an Ultrasonic bath to clean the cracks in the metal before the viewed them in an electron microscope.

I thought I could use an ultrasonic bath to clean records, I found a 6Lt model over seas and like gasper0007fr, I built a rotating mechanism to hold 10 records at once.
I use 4Lt of distilled water, 100ml of isopropyl, and 4 drops of Photoflo to do a warm 10min wash.
I then remove the washing fluid, filted back into it's container, and fill the tank with clean distilled water to do a rinse cycle.

Then I spin dry the 10 records on the shaft using a drill. Call me crazy but it works

Once clean I don't even need to brush them before playing.

For other peoples records I use a carbon brush.

As we know there are now many Ultrasonic cleaners available, but not 30 years ago,,,, They ALL copied my idea....

Just think if you'd gotten a patent. :spend:

Sal1950 · Oct 3, 2024

Sonnie Parker said:
LOL... As I age and recently retired, I need more variety in my listening.

Me too. I build a modern 5.2.4 Atmos capable surround system.
The sound quality is incredible.

Cham Chuen Kung · Oct 3, 2024

My method doesn’t cost any money, 50% of 99.9% pure isopropyl alcohol, diluted with 50% distilled water in a fine mist spray bottle, spray on your vinyl and clean it with microfibre pad. after wipe then again spray the alcohol water solution to wet the vinyl and play it wet. electrostatic builds up on dry surfaces, if you vacuum the vinyl, it introduces poping sound during play back, next time when you have lots of electrostatic noise, spray it wet and all of a sudden noise all gone, I promise.

Sonnie Parker · Oct 3, 2024

Sal1950 said:
Me too. I build a modern 5.2.4 Atmos capable surround system.
The sound quality is incredible.

9.8.6 here... see my list in my sig. I have several rooms I travel from and to as I go throughout the week. :rolleyesno:

mristuccia · Oct 3, 2024

15 min ultrasonic cleaning at 400W (two transducers) on 5L tank full of distilled water + 2-3 drops of Tergitol 15-S-9.
Attached to the tank is a closed filtering loop with a 10inch 1 micron water filter and a small water cycling pump.
After the 15 min ultrasonic cycle, each record is washed in pure distilled water on a Knosti Disco-Antistat Vinyl record cleaning machine without the brushes (50 spins).
Records are dried out on the Knosti drying rake by means of electric USB rechargeable fans.
Once dry, each record is sealed on an archival-grade rice paper sleeve.

Sal1950 · Oct 3, 2024

Sonnie Parker said:
9.8.6 here... see my list in my sig. I have several rooms I travel from and to as I go throughout the week.

Then my next question would be obvious, but your decision.
I have no time or money for an obsolete technology

Sonnie Parker · Oct 3, 2024

Sal1950 said:
Then my next question would be obvious, but your decision.
I have no time or money for an obsolete technology

Yep... those would be two prerequisites. My lifestyle makes it no longer obsolete for me. :bigsmile:

Brian B · Oct 3, 2024

I use the LAST system, same as I did back in the late '70s. LAST cleaner and then LAST preservative. Still available. Good for at least 50 plays. The preservative is incredible stuff. I have half-speed mastered pressings that still play like new. I use a carbon fiber brush to dust the spinning record before playing and keep the record in a plastic lined paper inner album sleeve. I use the LAST stylus cleaner fluid once in a while and a "dip it in the sticky goo blob" type stylus cleaner or a stiff carbon fiber stylus cleaning brush the rest of the time. I'm partial to the goo blob these days as my manual TT lets me lower and raise the stylus gently in and out of it with no danger of excessive force from a stiff brush accident. It almost goes without saying no matter how clean your records and stylus, you need to properly set the overhang, tracking force, anti-skate and vertical tracking angle of your phono cart.

Sonnie Parker · Oct 3, 2024

Brian Bylenok said:
I use the LAST system, same as I did back in the late '70s. LAST cleaner and then LAST preservative. Still available. Good for at least 50 plays. The preservative is incredible stuff. I have half-speed mastered pressings that still play like new. I use a carbon fiber brush to dust the spinning record before playing and keep the record in a plastic lined paper inner album sleeve. I use the LAST stylus cleaner fluid once in a while and a "dip it in the sticky goo blob" type stylus cleaner or a stiff carbon fiber stylus cleaning brush the rest of the time. I'm partial to the goo blob these days as my manual TT lets me lower and raise the stylus gently in and out of it with no danger of excessive force from a stiff brush accident. It almost goes without saying no matter how clean your records and stylus, you need to properly set the overhang, tracking force, anti-skate and vertical tracking angle of your phono cart.

I applied LAST to quite a few of our records back in the early 80s, but I haven't dug any of those out yet to see how they play.

Costelon · Oct 3, 2024

Degritter - the best designed ultrasonic cleaning machine.

romanotrax · Oct 3, 2024

I have a couple thousand records but I only use a Spin Clean and do about 10 at a time, change the water and solution and then do some more. All new records are cleaned and I have done almost all my LPs. I am starting on my 12 inch single collection. Oh yeah... I have ordered new brushes from time to time.

mr_gray · Oct 3, 2024

i am the proud owner of a

this is one of my favourite machines ever. i use the keith monks fluid with this. does an amazing job. i did try art d'son (Mr Dudley's recommendations have to be followed). Keith Monks fluid costs 10 times more and is significantly better.

mine doesn't have string. only issue is warped records sometimes capture the nozzle and this can rub against vinyl, get dry, and leave a visual mark and also a very slight sonic "schmear". not as bad as it sounds.

my favourite thing about being able to clean vinyl at home is that my wife can go and buy whatever record she wants to from whatever charity shop etc. and i can clean dickens out of it and we can enjoy listening together. unmatched!

hannu · Oct 4, 2024

Pro-ject cleaning machine here..

Eiichi · Oct 4, 2024

I did record cleaning mthod survey on FB.
Posted to the Analog Player Club on 2021/12/22 at 9:45 AM
Survey Results Report, Part 3: Record Cleaning
Thank you very much to those who responded to the survey. We received responses from 26 people, so I would like to share the results. Multiple answers were allowed, so I believe some people may use a combination of methods. It may also be that the respondents are particularly interested in this subject, but more than half of them used a mechanical record cleaner. This shows that everyone is employing various creative methods. Even though records are becoming popular again, the variety of records being reissued cannot match those released in the past, and re-releases of the same records are rare. Considering records as a cultural heritage, the importance of these types of record cleaners is significant. I personally use VPI's HW-16.5 and a tonearm-style cleaner, and by cleaning a record twice, I have managed to eliminate scratch noise completely from some records.

Question 1
I use a fully automatic (ultrasonic cleaning → automatic drying) record cleaner (e.g., KLAUDiO's CLN-LP200). ⇒ 3 respondents

Question 2
I use a cleaner that applies a cleaning solution, manually washes the record, and then vacuums the liquid off (e.g., VPI's HW-16.5). ⇒ 9 respondents

Question 3
I use an ultrasonic cleaner (e.g., CGOLDENWALL's LST-275-1).
For those who answered that they use an ultrasonic cleaner: How do you dry the record after washing? (e.g., wipe with a cloth, natural drying; please provide comments.) ⇒ 2 respondents

Vacuum with VPI HW16.5, then natural drying

Question 4
I use a tonearm-style cleaner while playing records (e.g., Audio-Technica's AT-6001). ⇒ 1 respondent

Question 5
I manually clean records using a velvet or similar cleaner (e.g., Audio-Technica AT6012a). ⇒ 13 respondents

Question 6
For those who answered they use a velvet or similar cleaner: Do you use a cleaning solution? ⇒ 7 respondents

Question 7
I use a brush-style cleaner (e.g., Mugast's LP Cleaning Brush). ⇒ 7 respondents

Question 8
I use a roller-style cleaner (e.g., Yixintech's Vinyl Record Cleaner). ⇒ 3 respondents

Are there any other tips or methods you've come up with for using record cleaners? (e.g., I always wash the record twice for the initial cleaning; please provide comments.)

I listen to the records after fully wrapping them in record packs. If noise remains, I repeat the process.
I wipe by hand several times using water-diluted ethanol with a small amount of neutral detergent and cotton pads. After trying various methods, this worked best for me.
I wash records with dish detergent, rinse with water, and let them air dry. Each time, I use a Braun anti-static brush to remove dust before playing.
My main cleaner is a Klaudio, but I also occasionally use a smartphone silicone roller as a secondary tool.
It's strange that this option wasn't listed, but many people apply various cleaning solutions to the record, spread the liquid across the surface with cotton, and then wipe it off in a circular motion. I believe most people use this method. Those who use machines for cleaning are likely a minority.
I use a PRO TEC Washing Brush with neutral detergent and water in the sink.
OYAG is effective at cleaning records thoroughly.
I use a mixture of distilled water, anhydrous ethanol, and Dr. Well.
I only use a self-made record pack for cleaning and no other cleaners.
I wash records with toothpaste and detergent, rinsing them with water.
I use synthetic chamois for car cleaning as a final wipe after vacuuming.

HoboHorn1 · Oct 4, 2024

I use distilled water with a glasses cleaning cloth.

Grayh · Oct 4, 2024

I use an Amari Acoustic vacuum record cleaner.

1. place lp on Amari turntable and start motor
2. spray Mobile Fidelity Super Record Wash until whole record is covered
3. place Big Brush bristle tips on record with a little pressure and allow the turntable to run for 5 revolutions
4. place vacuum head over record and switch on vacuum motor - allow the turntable to run for 5 revolutions
5. remove record after cleaning only one side and place on record playing turntable
6. switch on turntable to allow speed to stabilize while dabbing stylus with ZeroDust

Play 1st side.

Repeat the above for the 2nd side.

The record player turntable inevitably gets dusty which is why I clean and play each side separately as above.

For the record, I digitize all my vinyl through Channel D's Pure Vinyl software and without an RIAA preamp using only a flat preamp. I then remove any major artifacts using Izotope RX7 and then add the RIAA equalization with Pure Vinyl software. I consider the results I get to be outstanding as long as the vinyl is in good condition in the first place. I have records which are up to 66 years old (1958 vintage) and some have been badly treated.

However, occasionally a brand new lp can be a poor recording, one very annoying example being Jeff Beck's Emotion and Commotion on 180 g vinyl. The Joss Stone track 'There's No Other Me' is unlistenable - just this one track out of the whole album.

I bought the album on CD to get a get copy of that track, but it does not sound the same as the vinyl version. Looking at the digital copies of the vinyl and CD versions shows a healthy amount of dynamic range on the vinyl copy and very little dynamic range on the CD which has obviously been highly compressed.
But, despite the time consuming cleaning, I much prefer the sound of most of my vinyl, but keep the vinyl in good condition by playing only the once on the turntable and then playing the digital copy from my computer through HQPlayer software and an Ifi Zen DAC Signature V2.

bssmusic · Oct 4, 2024

Sonnie Parker said:
I have used the very simple Spin Clean to clean my records for years, and I've always thought it did an adequate job of cleaning them. I never gave it much thought, but I've always had relatively inexpensive turntables and a lot of records that I didn't take care of early on in life (late 70s and the 80s mostly). I dabbled in vinyl back in 2012 but really didn't have the room for it at the time. Recently, we've set up a dedicated vinyl room and getting back into vinyl listening again.

I decided to look into the various cleaning systems. Some of them are rather expensive ultrasonic machines, but for some reason, I just didn't think they were enough. Only the uber-expensive models dry the record, and it's blow drying instead of vacuuming. I'm not sure, but I feel like vacuuming is better. Anyway... I came up with a method that works for me. I use the KirmussAudio KA-RC-1 Ultrasonic machine, but I don't go all out on the repetitive cleaning unless it's a really old record. It just appeared to be set up a little better than the other ultrasonic machines and has more even cavitation. I was also able to scoop up an unused open-box unit at a very nice discount. Then I caught the Record Doctor X on sale and use it to vacuum dry the records. It is still more than I wanted to spend at around $1350-1400, but I do have a little more peace of mind about my records now.

After cleaning, I place them in a MoFi inner sleeve.

How do you clean your records? What is your cleaning method?

Sonnie Parker said:
Yeah, when I first read "Ethanol," I was like, "Whoa, Nellie," but apparently, it is safe. Obviously, you've done your homework. Nice setup.

bssmusic · Oct 4, 2024

I use a simple carbon fibre handbrush

, some years ago I have washed the vinyls (collected since the early seventies) with 5% isopropanol in water with ~ 50yl Tween 20, then airdried.

dctom · Oct 4, 2024

I use a diy ultrasonic tank similar to Xopher I can wash up to to 6 records at a time, then put the LPs on my VPI vacuum machine. One cycle to remove liquid from ultrasonic cleaning and a second cycle to clean with a vpi brush and L'Art du Son cleaner in distilled water. I don't bother with distilled water in the ultrasonic tank just a small drop of mild detergent to reduce surface tension.
This process has served me well for 7 or 8 years. A lot of the records I buy are second hand jazz, 7 or 8 times out of ten they come up like new the others are usually pretty good. I sometimes use alcohol diluted with distilled water for an initial scrub if the LP looks a bit worse for wear.
Cleaning new records is just as important, general clarity and bass improve after washing.

redmountain · Oct 4, 2024

I use a handbrush too until now...and warm water with a soft cloth to dry
Great to read all your tips
I maybe using one or the other when transferring to digital again...

Vinyl Cleaning Methods - How do you clean your vinyl?

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