Cleaning your vinyl records regularly and properly is what it takes to have optimum quality sound when you spin them. Keeping your vinyl records good as new always just needs a few easy steps.
You will need basic cleaning tools and solutions such as anti-static guns and record cleaning machines which are optional, record cleaning pads, brushes and solutions, a turntable and your vinyl records. Or you may prefer using a 50/50 solution of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water for normal cleaning. A 70% alcohol solution may damage your vinyl records, but not in the recommended 50/50 solution. You can also use small amounts of baby bath to clean the vinyl records.
You can begin cleaning after you have all the required materials. Start cleaning the stylus and place the record on the turntable, handling the record by edges and labeled areas. If you have an anti-static gun, utilize it to neutralize grime. If you're using the alcohol-water solution, to help reduce water spots and marks, put a couple of drops of Photo Flo with the solution. Wiping in a circular motion with the grooves, rub in the solution with a soft, clean washcloth. This moment, the turntable comes useful. When cleaning the vinyl records, don't get the labels wet. Rinse the cloth often in the solution and replace with a fresh mixture when needed. If you have a record cleaningp brush or ad, hold the ends of the brush or pad between your fingers and manually rotate the platter in a clockwise direction while pushing the brush gently into the grooves. To lift the dirt, sweep the brush up and away and use a brush holder or similar object to scrape the grime off the brush, away from the turntable. Dry clean the vinyl record if it is not very dusty and has been cleaned regularly; or you can use a soft, clean towel to thoroughly dry the record.
Like most of us, you probably have heavily soiled records by now if you forget cleaning your vinyl records. A slightly different cleaning method that requires pre-cleaning them is called for. Place the heavily soiled records on a clean, soft, lint-free towel and wet-clean the vinyl record in a spiral motion from center to rim. Air-dry or use 100% cottion, lint-free cloth and repeat the steps on the other side. After pre-cleaning your vinyl record, you can proceed to the usual cleaning steps procedures.
If the cover of your vinyl record is laminated or glossy, use a damp towel or a mild furniture polish to clean it. You can get rid of the marks or writings on the cover with a rubber eraser or a lighter fluid. Heating the area with a hair dryer and making use of a citrus-based cleaner or lighter fluid is an effective way to get rid of the stickers, labels, and tape, and sticker residue. About cleaning the covers, there's nothing much you can do if you have matte finish vinyl record. Since the covers are already set, you would end up removing part of the print or color and making your vinyl records looking worse than dirt. Just remember that it just takes a moment of your time to keep your vinyl record clean and new.
