What's The Easiest-Cheapest Way To Clean Used Vinyl?

[Jerryb]

Looking for a cheap safe way to clean used vinyl.

[Mike from NYC]

I used a mushroom brush and some dish detergent and plenty of water and then a good rinse. I blotted the moisture off and let it air dry in my dish rack. The label got wet but it wasn't a big deal to me.

[Fatman]

I hand wash with distilled water, a drop of dishwashing detergent, and a splash of isopropyl alcohol. I use these no-lint towels I found at Costco (available in any other retail automotive department). Lay the record on one towel laid flat, wash each side of the record with another towel dipped in the solution moving in a circular motion. Then I rinse over a bowl or sink with distilled water using a hand sprayer (like what window cleaner is stored in) - which are available in any Home Depot, Wal-mart, etc. I try not to get the label wet, but if it does, it has not mattered yet. Cheap, reasonably effective, and best of all can be done while listening to music.

Anthony

[jligon]

I hate the idea of getting records really wet so my way, while probably not the best, is definitely cheap. I put the record on a firm spot (definitely do not try to clean an old 78 on a towel...snap) that won't scratch and I moisten a soft cloth with some distilled water. I rub pretty aggressively if there are some stubborn areas. If it's too dirty, I'll typically reserve it for my other turntables. I'll then wipe the moisture off with some Scott's bathroom tissue. Don't ask my why Scott's. I've heard it suggested and that's what we have in the house anyway. I suppose it's because there are no perfumes or softeners like some others use. Anyway, that about it. I give it additional time to dry and then listen. About half the time, I can hear and difference and the record almost always looks way better. I suppose, as mentioned above, that some soap couldn't hurt but I rarely look to play anything that really dirty so soap seems like overkill to me but it may work even better.

[namahealani]

You can use a Shure-line edger paint pad as a record cleaning brush, Dawn dish detergent and the micro-fibre towels from Costco that Anthony aka Fatman mentioned.

[terra1]

I've been using the water/alcohol/clear dishwashing detergent and paper towel blot technique ever since I read it in a thread and it works.

I also use an old Disc Washer pad to do a pass over the LP to maybe pick up any excess moisture and avoid puddle stains.

Most labels have held up ok, for example the glossy labels like old orange Reprise seem to be ok. Some others have wrinkled and I just pressed on the wrinkles to press out any moisture. Some show some absorbtion spots but dried out okay.

Be careful of matte textured Japanese labels. My Chicago IV Japanese label dyes ran like food coloring and the label itself on one tore where I put my finger on it to spin when I was using the Disc washer pad to pass over the lp.

If you're really daring, you can use a soft textured toothbrush at about a 30 degree angle brushing in the direction of the grooves - not across them. I have been using a Walgreens 1.99 denture toothbrush on the soapy lp. I have used this on very dirty records purchased off ebay and improved their listenability.

Also for strange resistant sticky debris or oily stains, I have used Goo-Gone - NOT Goof-Off which is totally different. Then washed and rinse as above.

[aviserated]

Wash them in sink using warm water, Dawn, and soft brush. Do not get label wet. After cleaning I use a new record sleeve if need be.

Optional: I use the Audioadvisor vacuum machine to make the process faster.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NGRD3

[Jerryb]

I just started buyng vinyl again after many years.I purchased some used vinyl that looked to be in mint condition.I cleaned it and began playing it and within a few minutes there was loud skip even though the vinyl didn't have a scratch on it.What causes this if there is no apparent scratch or mark on the record?And how do I learn to ignore all the pops and scratches.

[dkmonroe]

I just started buyng vinyl again after many years.I purchased some used vinyl that looked to be in mint condition.I cleaned it and began playing it and within a few minutes there was loud skip even though the vinyl didn't have a scratch on it.What causes this if there is no apparent scratch or mark on the record?And how do I learn to ignore all the pops and scratches.

To correct mystery skips, try adjusting your anti-skate. I have a terrific copy of Led Zeppelin IV that skips unless I have the anti-skate set to precise factory specs.

To learn to ignore surface noise, well, just keep listening until you love the sound of vinyl more than you hate surface noise. Getting good equipment helps also. I have an entry level turntable and a vintage amp, and surface noise doesn't bother me much. When I had my turntable hooked up to a digital amp with a pre-amp, the surface noise was much more of an annoyance.

[markshan]

When one is really bad, I fill the kitchen sink with soapy water, put a long stick through the spindle hole and let the stick suspend from the sides of the sink. I then fill to just below the level of the label. In the morning I give a 1/3 turn, then another when I get home from work. Tedious sure, but not at all abrasive and quite effective.

[LeeS]

I've found a record cleaning machine is really the best way to go. I started cleaning by hand but the vacuum suction is really valuable. You can get the KAB to save money or step up to the manual Nitty Grittys.

[rcarlton]

I've found a record cleaning machine is really the best way to go. I started cleaning by hand but the vacuum suction is really valuable. You can get the KAB to save money or step up to the manual Nitty Grittys.

I agree. Tried the cheap ways before. Didn't do as well as my Nitty Gritty. You will be amazed at how well it cleans.:edthumbs:

[markshan]

But with a filthy one I wouldn't gunk up an expensive machine with that level of debris. I would do the sink first then the machine.

[dsockel]

After that treatment, I use the Buggtussle enzyme remover.

[Sckott]

First of all, let me say that no matter how cheap you really wanna go, the BEST way to clean vinyl is with a VPI 16.5 or most any wet-to-vac safe cleaning system.

Here's another way:

Repost of the classic Sckott method:

Here's a repost of the "sink" method that works for me. You have no idea how simple and effective it is until you try it, especially on "pesky" dirty records:

Here's what I do when I get a nice "clean" used record that's a noisy bastard (no laughing!) You may follow at your daring, caring discression:

1. Clear and clean your sink out, and make sure nothing is interfearing with your space. No dishes, no pans, clean it. Your wife will love you.

2. Turn the foucet on, warm, but not hot (let the water run for a while and make sure no one's gonna flush, okay?).

3. Lay a terrycloth down, must be clean, and quickly cover it with paper towels, not the cheap stuff, enough so that the LP can sit flat on the counter, clean, edge-to-edge.

4. That's right. Soak it. Put it under the water at an angle so the water runs on the deadwax, and off the edge. Rotate the album while maintaining a slow speed until you've gone around one side. DO NOT get the label wet. If you want, you can run the water a low-flow, so you can control water droplets and how it runs more efficiantly off the record. If the vinyl is smooth and not worn, the water may have no luck sticking to the surface anyway. Don't freak if water is sticking to the record.

5. Do the other side too. Just be careful of the faucet and getting the label wet (unless the label isn't pourus paper, in which most smooth pressings you can soak completely).

6. Drop it on top the cloths nearby, with a gentle drop. Grab some more paper towels and toss one, maybe two on it, to cover the partially wet record. Real careful now: You're gonna pat the record dry without making any "anti-groovy" action. Don't scuff the LP by using pressure, or by wiping in ANY direction. PAT dry. Gently spread and lift the paper towel until the record is *almost* completely dry. Take the paper towel off, then on...etc..

You can also get picky and use a 'sliver' of paper towel to drag (using gravity only) to dry off the runoff groove area. This keeps the shiny, new appearence of the record clean. Not like you care much the the non-musical portion of the wax, it beats looking at the LP and seeing water spots.

7. Flip the record and pat that side too. No wiping motions, just pat and lift the paper until the record dries. The warm water will evaporate as it cools off.

8. Bring it over to the turntable and if it's still a touch wet, go over it GENTLY with a D4 brush - GENTLY so the felt absorbes the wetness a bit. Even if the record is still just a *TAD* wet...you...

9. Play. Quieter, huh?!?

This should give you an idea of how good wet/dry methods work. Try this only when you don't have a real wet cleaner, and you've bought this $3.99 used LP that looks mint, but sounds like *****. It's usually mould or residue, and this has gotten $2 LPs to sound like $20 - Really!! Hey, you bought the record, what's the sense if it sounds bad?

**Note** Use good paper towels, try to stay away from store bought to keep the lint down.....also you're gonna find that most used records that LOOK GREAT but play crappy will benefit from this meathod everytime. I've only done it once to records that misbehave. If you play your details right, barely anyone will see that Discwasher residue, or brush friction on the album, including you!

[stevenkelby]

Interesting post, if I get any shockers I'll give it a go.

Use good paper towels, try to stay away from store bought to keep the lint down.

Where do you get paper towels that don't come from a store?