How Do I Clean Vinyl Records? Cleaning With Brushes At Home, How To Wipe And How To Care For The Records? Which Cleaner Is Right?

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-09 13:15

These days vinyl records are mostly found among collectors and are considered a real rarity. That is why the owners of such products need to know how to properly care for them. If the records are not cleaned from dust and dirt in a timely manner, they will quickly fail and stop playing the recording. Today we are going to talk about how to keep these music media in good condition.

Why clean your records?

Before answering the question of why you need to clean vinyl records, you should remember the structure of the turntable. Each disc contains many grooves of different depths and shapes, which are hit by the turntable needle and create a certain vibration. It is transmitted to the membrane and creates this or that sound. That's why great care must be taken when cleaning vinyl records, otherwise the grooves may be damaged.

If you do not pay enough attention to washing the discs, then they will stop producing music or the sound will seriously change. During storage, vinyl records collect dust particles, cigarette smoke, fingerprints and many other types of contaminants.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that the records initially contain an oil coating, so these products need to be washed regularly, even if the discs are not in use.

How to clean properly?

First, let's talk about how not to clean vinyl discs. Firstly, it is inappropriate to use brushes and rollers - they cannot remove contamination in the depths of the grooves. Such agents are used as an antistatic agent. Secondly, do not try to clean the disc with PVA glue, as many "knowledgeable" users on the Internet advise. Sure, theoretically, everything is simple here - apply glue to the plate, wait until it hardens and all unnecessary particles stick to it and remove the resulting film … However, in practice, this method does not work, especially if the dirt is stale, long-term.

Besides, much depends on the glue itself - if you take the products of a well-known German brand, you can achieve at least partial cleaning … And if you use a cheap analogue, then not only dirt will remain on the plate, but also the glue itself - it will not be easy to wipe it off. Thus, the method is not working, and it is also dangerous.

The only way out is to wash the discs. There are three ways: use special equipment, make a homemade vacuum cleaner, or act manually.

The first method is rarely used at home, despite the fact that it gives a good effect - the cost of the machine is very significant, so not everyone can afford such a device. At home, hand washing is most often used . Cleaning a vinyl record usually starts by soaking it. For this purpose, the disc is placed in water with the addition of any detergent and kept for a quarter of an hour. After that, take a sponge and gently carry it over the base of the plastic in a circular motion.

Please note that you cannot use a dishwashing detergent solution to wash the records . The effectiveness of this method is low, the dirt from the grooves will not go anywhere, but it will take a long time to wash the foam. It is better to take alcohol-containing compounds, they are especially helpful in getting rid of greasy stains and grease on the surface. Any additives can be used at the rate of 3-5 drops per 1 liter of water.

The cleaning agent can be purchased ready-made, usually consisting of distilled water, as well as ethyl and isopropyl alcohol. In store products, the discs are washed once a week, while it is advisable to use the same composition every time . - frequent changes can damage the surface of the records. It is advisable to dry the disc on a soft absorbent cloth on each side in turn.

When choosing a ready-made product, it is better to make a choice in favor of gels, since powder particles can damage the delicate surface of the plate . During cleaning, it is advisable to change the water once so that loose dirt does not clog into the grooves. Putting the plates back in the box is necessary only after they are completely dry - this must be done as carefully as possible, otherwise the grains of paper will clog into the tracks.

Care and storage recommendations

If you collect vinyl, then you need to set aside a separate shelf for it, preferably glazed. Discs can only be stored in special anti-static paper bags. Leaving them open even for a short time is not recommended, as the dust will instantly settle on the paths.

It is very important to protect the plates from direct sunlight . Also, try to place them as far away from radiators and other heating appliances as possible. Only store discs in an upright position.

If you place them obliquely, then they will deform - this will have a most deplorable effect on the sound quality.

Special attention should be paid to envelopes for storing vinyl - ordinary paper packages are not suitable here, since over time, ordinary paper begins to delaminate, and its particles settle in the grooves. Consequently, cleaning such vinyl becomes quite troublesome and technically difficult procedure … Film envelopes are also not suitable, as they tend to gather like an "accordion" when the disc is removed into the outer envelope.

It is advisable to store records in plastic pockets, or at least wrap them in plastic before placing them in a paper bag. A little trick: lay the plate so that the cuts of the inner bag are facing up, and the outer ones are to the side . With this approach, even during long-term storage, very little dust will get on the bouquet of the disc.

Do not forget that the quality of a disc is largely dependent on the peculiarities of its operation and care of the playing equipment … Do not try to grab the surface of the plastic itself with your hands, do not touch the soundtracks with your fingers. When placing a disc on the turntable, gently wipe it down with a soft brush before listening to remove static electricity and dust particles. And, of course, do not forget to clean the turntable needle from time to time in order to adjust the speed of its rotation.