How to Clean Vinyl Records: Tips for Storing and Caring for Vinyl

Vinyl records are an analog sound storage format in the shape of a double-sided flat disc with a concentric spiral groove on both sides. These discs are known under various names, including record, phonograph record, or vinyl. The “vinyl” nickname comes from its primary manufacturing material, polyvinyl chloride, which replaced shellac after World War II.

The spiral groove contains an inscription of the record’s audio elements. You can hear these elements when a stylus—the cone-shaped needle at the end of a record player’s tonearm—is lowered onto the surface of the record while it spins on a record player’s turntable. The stylus picks up vibrations in the grooves and transmits them to a cartridge at the end of the arm that transforms the vibrations into electrical signals. The signals are sent to an amplifier, which uses speakers to turn those signals into sounds. Vinyl records come in a variety of sizes, all of which spin at a predetermined speed. Most full-length, long-playing albums (or LPs) spin at 33 ⅓ revolutions per minute (RPM).

You can clean vinyl records in various ways, including a record cleaning machine, like a record vacuum cleaner or record washer. You can also clean your vinyl collection by hand, which is the easiest and most cost-effective cleaning method.

1. 1. Dust off your vinyl. First, remove dust and any loose debris from your record’s surface with a record cleaning brush. Vinyl experts recommend using a carbon fiber brush because its bristles will remove the static electricity that holds dust to the surface of your record and causes it to crackle when you play it. Gently brush away any particles using a circular motion in the direction of the grooves.
2. 2. Find a solution. You can buy a record-cleaning kit, which comes with a cleaning brush and a special cleaning fluid, or use a cleaning solution without isopropyl alcohol. (Isopropyl can damage the surface of your record). You can also use soap and water, but dish soap can leave a film on your vinyl. Use deionized or distilled water instead of tap water, and avoid using household cleaning products.
3. 3. Clean the record. Lightly dip a finger wrapped in a soft, lint-free cloth into your cleaning solution, and slowly run your finger along the grooves in the record in a clockwise direction, starting from the center (just above the record label). When you’ve reached the outer edge of the record, reverse your direction and follow the grooves back to the center in a counter-clockwise direction. Keep your finger flat against the surface of the record because your nail can leave a scratch.
4. 4. Repeat and dry. Once you’ve cleaned the entire record, examine it for any problem areas with gunk or grime build-up. Wipe these spots again, using a clean spot on your cloth and a fresh cleaning solution. Examine the record for any wetness and pat it dry with a soft microfiber cloth. Avoid placing wet records back in their inner sleeves because the moisture can cause warping.

Properly storing vinyl records is as necessary as cleaning them. Here are a few storage tips:

1. 1. Handle with care. Avoid touching your record’s surface because you may leave behind oil and residue, which can impact the sound quality. Hold the record by its edges using your fingertips.
2. 2. Use paper and plastic sleeves. Always return your vinyl records to their inner sleeves when you’ve finished listening to them. Paper sleeves are fine, but some record collectors prefer plastic sleeves that won’t scratch the vinyl surface. Experts recommend plastic sleeves for the outer sleeves because they keep dust out of the jacket that results in dirty records.
3. 3. Store upright. Store your records upright in a shelving system with the spines facing outward. A storage organizer with cubes that measure 13.5 inches x 13.5 inches x 13.6 inches will hold many vinyl records and serves as a flat surface for a turntable and small speakers. Crates, like those in record stores, allow records to fall forward and crush the vinyl.
4. 4. Keep it cool. It’s essential to store vinyl records in a space where the temperature is between 45 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent warping. If they are in long-term storage, keep temperatures between 45 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Records for everyday use can withstand temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees.

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