Your Vinyl Record Collection Is Due for a Deep Cleaning. Here's How to Preserve Your Collectibles for Decades

Vinyl records offer a richer sound than the digital formats most people use to listen to music these days. But you’ll only get that kind of sound quality if your vinyl record collection is clean. Popping, crackling, skipping, and distorted sounds are all signs of a dirty record. You can purchase a record cleaning machine to keep your collection in tip top condition, but these devices are expensive. A more affordable option is to clean them by hand. Much like cleaning your oven door or disinfecting your refrigerator water dispenser, this process isn’t difficult, but does require a little know-how. Do it the wrong way and you can scratch a vinyl record or even remove its protective coating, permanently damaging it. Ahead, we cover how to clean vinyl records the right way so you can preserve your record collection. 

How to Clean Vinyl Records

Cleaning your records can help preserve them while ensuring you get optimal sound quality, but only if you do it right. 

Step 1.  Wipe down. Wiping down vinyl records takes some finesse. The goal is to avoid scratching the surface of the vinyl while you’re cleaning it. To accomplish that, use a non-abrasive microfiber cloth and gently wipe the surface of the record in the direction of the grooves to remove dust and dirt. 

Step 2. Rinse. Dampen the cloth with a little bit of distilled water and wipe down the record, again moving in the same direction as the grooves. Avoid running the cloth over the label as the moisture can damage it, causing it to peel off. 

Step 3. Apply the right cleaner. Use a designated vinyl record cleaner, which you can find online for around $15. It’s worth the small cost if you want to clean your records thoroughly while not damaging the vinyl surface. Apply a little cleaner to a microfiber cloth or spray some directly onto the record, again making sure to avoid the label.

Step 4. Clean. Let your record player do the work. Place the record on the player and turn it on, but don’t place the needle on the record. Gently press the cloth onto the surface of the record as it’s spinning to clean it. Reverse the record and repeat to make sure you get into all of the grooves. Don’t forget to flip the record to clean the B-side. 

Step 5. Rinse and dry. Use a damp cloth to rinse the cleaning material then follow up with a dry cloth to remove any remaining moisture. 

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What to Avoid When Cleaning Vinyl Records

Using improper cleaning methods, like those below, will destroy your records. Here’s what not to avoid when cleaning your records:

• Harsh chemicals: Avoid household cleaning products like bleach, isopropyl alcohol, and Windex. These products will remove the protective coating on your vinyl records, causing irreversible damage.
  
• Tap water: Tap water has minerals and other contaminants in it that can leave a film on your records or even tiny scratches. Instead, use distilled water to clean your records.
  
• The wrong cloth: A standard rag or cotton cloth can be abrasive, scratching the surface of your records. They also shed lint that can collect on the record’s surface. 
  
• Playing a wet record: Make sure your clean record is thoroughly dry before putting it back into service. Playing a record while it’s still wet will undoubtedly leave scratches and also damage the record player needle. 

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How to Prevent Dirt Accumulation on Vinyl Records

Proper handling and storage of your vinyl records is key to keeping them clean. Avoid touching the record surface, which can leave oils from your hands that will in turn collect dirt. Always handle records by holding them at their edges. When not in use, make sure to store your records in their sleeves, vertically, in a cool, dry place that’s out of direct sunlight. 

What is the best thing to clean vinyl records with? 

Use a special record cleaning solution whenever cleaning your records. This solution, which includes a mix of deionized water and Tergitol, will safely clean the surface without damaging it. If you have a large record collection to clean, it also makes sense to invest in a carbon fiber brush, which can work into the grooves of the record player, cleaning more deeply than a microfiber cloth. 

Is Dawn dish soap safe for vinyl records? 

You can use Dawn dish soap to clean your records, but do so with caution. Using too much dish soap will leave a damaging film on the surface of the records. Use a few drops in a cup of distilled water, then apply it with a microfiber cloth in a circular motion that follows the grooves of the record. 

Can I use Windex to clean vinyl records? 

No, you should never use Windex to clean vinyl records. This household cleaner contains harsh chemicals that will strip away the protective coating on the vinyl, permanently damaging the record. 

Does vinegar clean vinyl records? 

No. The problem with using vinegar to clean vinyl records is that it’s very acidic and can damage the protective coating on the vinyl.