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How to Clean Vinyl Records

Despite being one of the most formidable formats for music, vinyl records have a propensity for attracting dust and grime. Between late-night listening and Sunday morning sessions, new and shiny vinyl can start to experience some serious wear. Not to mention those rare gems pulled from the crate that haven’t been properly cleaned … maybe ever? Fingerprints, dust, static, and scratches all create unwanted noise on what is supposed to be the audiophile’s format of choice. The cracks and pops, once so endearing, can easily become unbearable. Furthermore, oil from your hands can eat at the surface of vinyl, bringing the value of a record down.

Follow these guidelines on how to clean vinyl records and you won’t have to worry about dust or fingerprints. Below are five steps explaining the best way to clean vinyl.

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5 Steps for How to Clean Vinyl Records

  1. Remove dust and static with a record brush.
  2. Inspect the record for visible blemishes.
  3. Spray cleaning solution on problem areas.
  4. Wipe clean using circular movements.
  5. Store vinyl records properly to prevent future problems.

Optional: If your record is particularly grimy or moldy, then we recommend you wash it with warm, soapy water and let it dry before you start step No. 1.

person using a record brush to clean a inyl record on a turntable

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1. Remove dust and static with a record brush.

Just like sweeping before mopping a floor, removing dust and static before using a liquid solution will make your life much easier. Use long, gentle brush strokes with a designated tool to make sure you are removing detritus without harming the vinyl surface. There are plenty of brushes out there, but we can personally vouch for the Audio-Technica AT6013a.

person with a discogs hoodie inspecting a vinyl record for dirt

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2. Inspect the record for visible blemishes.

Under a soft, bright light, view the surface for any discolorations, smudges, and fingerprints. These problem areas will need some extra love and attention.

person spraying cleaning solution on a vinyl record

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3. Spray cleaning solution on problem areas.

Once you have identified sections of a vinyl record that require intensive cleaning, directly apply a cleaning solution. Be extremely careful to avoid touching the label with liquid of any kind, as this can cause the epoxy to loosen and the label to discolor.

Cleaning Solution Recommendations

Many collectors debate which vinyl record cleaning solution works best and which ones to avoid. There are plenty of options to choose from, including a dedicated solution such as VPI record cleaning fluid, concoctions such as the soapy mixture used by the Library Of Congress, or literally just Dawn dish soap (go with the blue kind over green) mixed with water.

person wiping clean a cinyl record with soft cloth with cleaning solution in the backgroun

Image credit: Discogs

4. Wipe clean using circular movements.

Once the cleaning solution is on the surface of the record, apply pressure in circular movements with a clean microfiber or cotton cloth. This will help rub away the blemishes. Be sure you continue to avoid the label at all costs.

person demontrating how to properly handle vinyl records while putting them in a sleeve

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5. Store vinyl records properly.

Make sure your records have a sleeve and are being properly handled by the edges or label at all times. Check out our guide on storing and handling your record collection to learn more.

Optional: Wash with warm, soapy water.

Before you start, you’ll want to establish what kind of shape your vinyl is in. If your record is particularly grimy or moldy, we recommend you wash it with warm, soapy water and let it dry before you start step number one.

Use a teaspoon of soap and warm (not steaming) water, cover your index finger with a microfiber cloth, dip in the solution, and gently rub the record using circular motions along the grooves. After you’ve done this clockwise and counterclockwise, you’ll want to do one more pass with distilled water to remove all remaining residue.

Product Recommendations

For those that need to clean a lot of records, consider buying a vinyl record cleaning machine like the Okki Nokki. They will significantly reduce the time needed to clean each record. Fair warning: These machines are typically very expensive, but raising the grade of your vinyl might be worth it for those looking to sell records.

Steven Williams and Russ Ryan contributed to this guide. Video shot by Sam Harrison and hosted by Russ Ryan, who is also a co-founder of Near Mint. Thanks to Audio-Technica, Okki Nokki, and Chillhop for providing the gear and music to help Discogs create the video.

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