How do you clean vinyl records without damaging them?

Record Cleaning Tips

Always use distilled and de-ionized water to clean your records. Never use rubbing alcohol to clean a record, since it removes the shine. Never clean your records before first removing surface debris. Make sure the cartridge and stylus are clean and in good shape, so they don’t damage your records.

How do you clean dirty vinyl records?

Is it OK to clean vinyl records with alcohol?

Cleaning your vinyl records with pure alcohol is not safe and you should never use undiluted alcohol to clean them. Some commercially available record cleaning solutions do contain a small concentration of isopropyl alcohol, but this is mixed with other ingredients.

Can you clean vinyl records with Windex?

You can now proceed to use Windex. Remember, as it’s harsher than just water and soap, so only spray a little on the records. A few sprays will do as you’re going to spread the solution by using your microfiber cloth anyway. Wipe the records gently until the Windex dries up and polishes the records.

Can you clean records with soap and water?

The ideal cleaning solution consists of one part distilled water, one part isopropyl alcohol, and a couple of drops of dish soap. This exact mixture is a tried and tested mixture to clean vinyl records with a DIY mixture that’s pretty easy to put together.

Can you clean vinyl records with vinegar?

Clean with just water

Mix equal parts white vinegar and distilled water in a clean spray bottle. Spray the mixture over the surface of the vinyl and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Then, take a clean, dry microfiber cloth or sponge and remove the vinegar mixture from the vinyl.

What household items can I use to clean my records?

Can you use eyeglass cleaner on vinyl records?

It is the cheapest vinyl cleaning solution I have found, and likely not much different from the expensive stuff. Most record cleaning solutions contain isopropanol diluted to about 4-5%. If you’re diluting 50/50 with dH2O, I’d make sure that the eyeglass cleaner is no more than 10% isopropanol. Better safe than sorry.

Can glass cleaner be used to clean vinyl records?

Technically you can use glass cleaner or Windex on your vinyl records but it is debatable whether or not you should. A lot of vinyl users that have been around the block for a long time say that this is the only method they have used consistently.

Can you use wd40 on vinyl records?

WD-40 is a great vinyl record cleaning product. It does not contain any ammonia or alcohol, and it is a volatile solvent. After use, it will remove the dirt or dust, evaporate and leave behind a non-volatile lubricant.

How do you make your own record cleaning solution?

Should you clean new vinyl records?

Also, the record production process can leave gummy release agent residue on the record surface, which can, in turn, contaminate your stylus and ultimately diminish the sound quality. I give all my new records a quick clean on the turntable before their first spin.

How do you restore old vinyl records?

Repairing a Scratched Record
  1. Gently wash your vinyl with water to remove any obvious debris.
  2. Grab a piece of 1500 grit sandpaper and wet it. …
  3. Wet your vinyl as well and place it on a hard, flat surface.
  4. Lightly sand each side of the vinyl where there are scratches.

What sounds better CD or vinyl?

Sound Quality

From a technical standpoint, digital CD audio quality is clearly superior to vinyl. CDs have a better signal-to-noise ratio (i.e. there is less interference from hissing, turntable rumble, etc.), better stereo channel separation, and have no variation in playback speed.

How often should records be cleaned?

While all records should receive their daily cleaning upon use, don’t perform a deep cleaning unless it really needs it, which is to say that it is either visibly dirty or there is an issue with its playback quality.

When should you clean vinyl records?

Don’t use too much pressure here – you’re goal is to pick up larger dust and dirt on the record but you don’t want to damage the grooves. Honestly, I recommend doing this step every time you play a record. I don’t wash my records often but I do lightly brush them before most plays.

How do I stop my record from skipping?

In most cases, the skipping will stop after you clean the record. If it persists, then use a magnifying glass and look carefully at the record. If you see any dirt lodged into the groove of the record, then use a record cleaning brush or a similar tool to remove it.

What happens if you dont clean your records?

Cleaning your records is important, but it won’t do much good if your turntable’s needle is dirty. Styluses get dirty by picking up dirt from your records, which can build up if you spin vinyl regularly. If you don’t clean it regularly, your stylus may get damaged, and need to be replaced.

Should I clean my records every time I play them?

When you are done playing a record and you want to return it to the storage, you should clean it once again. Like when you first buy the record, this will ensure any particles it may have picked up will be removed. The sleeve should also be cleaned as well to ensure that there are no particles on it.

How often should you replace stylus?

Most manufacturers recommend changing your stylus at around 1000 hours of record playing time. So if you’re using your turntable for an hour or so per day on average, ideally you should be changing the stylus every couple of years. This varies depending on the manufacturer and what type of materials they’re using.

How do you use big fudge record cleaner?