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Quick Answer: How To Clean Vinyl Records Cheaply

Dish soap is the cheapest option, but it will leave a bit of residue on your records. Record cleaning solution is a better choice, but a bottle will generally cost $20 to $30. If there are no fingerprints or other oily smudges on the record, you can get a way using just water, which is actually better for the record.

Can you clean vinyl records with vinegar?

Sum everything up, the best way to clean the record is cleaning vinyl records with vinegar. It is very good for cleaning. I use white vinegar and distilled water 50-50 for many years, it gives an excellent result. I highly recommend this to all vinyl lovers.

How do you make cleaning solution for vinyl records?

The exact mixture is one part isopropyl alcohol, one part distilled water, and one to two drops of dishwashing soap. This combination of fluids is widely recommended as an efficient mixture to clean records using what are household materials. The three ingredients were easy to measure and easy to mix.

What household items can you use to clean vinyl records?

Here’s what you’ll need: Warm water. Some people say you should use hot water, but there’s no real benefit to that. Dish soap (or record cleaning solution) Dish soap is the cheapest option, but it will leave a bit of residue on your records. Carbon Fiber Brush. Soft, Lint-Free Cloth.

Is it OK to clean vinyl records with alcohol?

Wash The Record In particular, we recommend avoiding any that contain isopropyl alcohol. While it will clean the muck off your record, many people report that over time it’ll also damage the protective coating on your vinyl. If you are going to use a solution with isopropyl alcohol – use is sparingly.

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. All you require is a lint-free cloth, the WD-40, and time.

Can you use Windex to clean vinyl records?

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.

How do you clean dust off of vinyl records?

How to Clean Vinyl Records Wipe gently. Remove all dust and static using a microfiber cloth, using very little pressure to avoid driving any particles further into the grooves in the vinyl. Rinse. Apply Simple Green solution. Damp-wipe clean. Dry. Spin and store properly.

Can you clean vinyl records with soap and water?

Absolutely you can clean vinyl records with water. It would also help to rinse or use a standard record brush with a solution on the groove surface prior to cleaning with soapy water in order to remove the larger dirt, dust, and other contaminants on the surface that could scratch during the cleaning process.

Can you use glasses cleaner on records?

By all means laugh and deride but I have found Spectacle Lens cleaner (Specsavers Lens Bright) does an excellent job of wetting the disc surface and removing any trace of surface dirt. Judging from the playing after it also digs into those grooves too.

How do you get crackles out of vinyl?

Some Tips on How to Minimize Crackle on Your Vinyl Records Store your records in anti-static inner sleeves. Use an anti-static brush to clean your discs before playing them. A deep clean goes a long way. Clean your stylus and ensure it’s properly adjusted.

How can I restore my vinyl records?

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

Is isopropyl alcohol safe for records?

“Isopropyl alcohol, in low concentration to total volume, appears to be safe to use on vinyl records”, explains Steve. “We don’t like it. But it is very popular with DIY record cleaning fluid makers.

Do I need to clean my vinyl 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.

Does ultrasonic cleaning damage vinyl records?

The microscopic vacuum bubbles produced in an ultrasonic record cleaner implode with great force to loosen and carry away these contaminants, but the process is so fast there is no damage to the vinyl records being cleaned .

Can scratches be removed from vinyl records?

Apply a thin line of epoxy or wood glue to the scratched area. If there are multiple scratches, apply glue to the entire record as it spins on your turntable. Place the tip of the glue bottle to the inner label of the record and lightly apply pressure. Stop once you’ve reached the outer edge of the record.

Can you clean a vinyl record with a paper towel?

*For records that are really coated-with-grime dirty, soak a paper towel in your soap/water solution and rub the surface of the record well before starting with the brush cleaning. You can clean a LOT of records with that much solution. When you’re done with your cleaning session, toss the leftover solution.

Is it OK to touch a vinyl record?

Only hold the vinyl record at its outer edges, thereby avoiding the possibility of your body oils transferring onto the vinyl’s surface. If you touch the record’s surface, you increase the risk of getting dirt on the record and damaging it unnecessarily.