There is no single method for cleaning vinyl records. The right approach depends on your budget and how deeply you want to clean your collection, but even basic maintenance can help reduce the dust and debris responsible for many record crackles.
For routine care, a carbon-fiber brush is a simple starting point. Place it lightly on a spinning record for a few rotations, then sweep it toward the edge. Canned or electric air dusters can also remove surface dust, although canned versions should be held upright to prevent propellant from reaching the record. Air blowers should be kept away from the turntable stylus.
Anti-static guns can reduce the static that attracts dust, but they do not remove dirt. The stylus also needs attention: a small stylus brush should be moved gently from back to front, while cleaning gel can be used by lowering the needle onto a sticky pad several times.
Wet cleaning is more effective against grime embedded in the grooves. Record-cleaning fluid can be applied to a soft brush or pad, which should be moved in circles along the grooves while keeping the label dry. Cleaning by hand is safer than doing it while the record spins, since liquid could reach the turntable and the motor may be strained.
A homemade solution can include isopropyl alcohol-based cleaner diluted with roughly two or three parts distilled water to one part alcohol. A drop of plain, unscented dish soap may also be added, but the record should be rinsed afterward with distilled water to prevent residue. Alcohol must not be used on old 78 rpm records because it can dissolve their shellac.
For collectors seeking a more convenient option, record washers such as the Spin-Clean typically cost about $80 to $125. These machines use cleaning fluid, distilled water and brushes to clean both sides while avoiding the label. The fluid should be replaced regularly, particularly when it becomes cloudy, and the supplied drying cloths should be handled carefully.
Microfiber is the recommended material for drying records. It should be air-dried rather than machine-dried, and fabric softener should be avoided. Once wiped, records can be placed on a dish rack until they are completely dry before being returned to a sleeve or turntable.
At the high end, ultrasonic cleaning is considered the most thorough option. These machines use high-frequency sound waves to create bubbles in a bath, loosening grime deep in the grooves. Entry-level ultrasonic machines cost more than $100, while all-in-one systems such as the HumminGuru cost several hundred dollars and premium models such as the Degritter reach into the thousands.
Vacuum machines provide another premium approach. Models such as the Record Doctor VI, priced at around $350, use cleaning fluid before vacuuming it from the grooves. A lower-cost alternative is the roughly $30 Vinyl Vac wand, which works as an attachment for a wet-dry shop vacuum. However, for many collectors, a Spin-Clean offers a more modest investment while handling most cleaning needs.
Household cleaners such as Windex should be avoided because they may leave residue, as should paper towels, which can shed fibers. Tap water can deposit minerals in the grooves, making distilled water preferable. Records should be held by their edges and labels, kept away from heat and sunlight, and stored upright in polyethylene or poly-lined paper sleeves. Replacing the inner sleeve after cleaning can also prevent old dirt from returning to the record.
Scratches cannot be removed, and some surface noise is an unavoidable part of owning vinyl. Careful cleaning can limit additional problems, while a degree of crackle remains part of the format's character.
Sources: Engadget.