Use SIMPLE GREEN To Clean Your Vinyl Records

Use SIMPLE GREEN To Clean Your Vinyl Records

THINGS YOU’LL NEED:

-Simple Green:

-Lint Free Microfiber Towels:

-Microfiber Cleaning Cloths:

-Wide level surface to clean your vinyl on
-Large drying towel to place record on for cleaning
-Distilled Water
-Measuring Cup
-Measuring spoon
-Clean white cotton towel or T-shirt preferably

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Directions:
1. 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. Your goal is to pick up larger dust and dirt particles on the record without damaging the surface.
2. Rinse. Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with water (distilled water is preferred), and lightly wipe the entire surface of the record in a circular motion with the grooves of the record, being careful to avoid the center label.
3. Apply Simple Green solution. Add just a splash (about a 1:30 ratio) of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner to a bowl of water. [2 tablespoons of Simple Green with 2 cups of water]
4. Lightly dampen the microfiber cloth with the solution, and wipe along the record gently, following the grooves.
5. Damp-wipe clean. Wipe clean using the same process as in #2, making sure to remove all of the cleaning solution.
6. Dry. Use a dry microfiber cloth to completely dry the record. Use a can of compressed air to remove any stubborn moisture remaining in deep grooves.
7. Spin and store properly. Enjoy your clean vinyl! Before playing your record, make sure your needle is free of dust and in good condition Store vinyl records properly to prevent dust accumulation and future problems.

[audioeeze]

Whenever I'm spending time cleaning records, I think of it as "therapeutic" along with the anticipation of having a whole new stack of music to listen to. I have washed every single record in my collection over time, I have around 3000 records and it's a good feeling to know they are all cleaned. I have used alcohol in my personal solution my entire life and even my very first record still sounds fantastic. Thanks for the video.

[thousandpound]

Strong Bob Ross vibes at around 8 minutes in. Love it! Thanks for the tip. Definitely gonna give it a shot on a few records. Take care

[chestermarcol]

Dude, THANK YOU for simplifying a process that so many people want to make ridiculously complex. Thank you thank you thank you.

Plus, you've got a serious Mr. Rogers calm vibe going on. And I mean that as the ultimate compliment.

Subscribing and liking.

[bobbyyounger]

Thanks, I gave this simple green mix a try today on a used dirty record, it cleaned up great ! I also used a soft toothbrush. Record plays sounds great !

[JMAudioEditions]

I was in the car washing business for 30+ years- automatic conveyor operated full service and hand washing and detailing in NY at more than 3 different locations at one time- hundreds of thousands of cars a year and so millions over 30 years-- absolutely Simple Green will leave behind residue- try it on black car paint- the same process u did in video on black car paint- you will see it leaves a residue- or try it on glass - you need to wash the SG off then dry and that may be best suggestion as a last step- OR use less alcohol/distilled water which evaporates - I use a Vinyl Styl Deep Groove Record Washer which uses hogs hair brushes and protects label in conjunction with distilled water and very tiny amount of 99% iso alcohol - then air dry with ionic hair dryer (I use an ionic hair dryer on cool setting to blow all water off- same when I wash my black car- I never touch the water at the end only blow it off leaf blower- of course you can not wax/ceramic coat records like a car BUT no touch drying is best as each time you touch the record you destroy the micro grooves - ) and set on drying stand for 30 mins- when you use hand cleaning its inconsistent and pressure varies and leaves more micro scratches than hogs hair- when I detailed the best cars - I never hand washed with microfiber- I always used hogs hair brush on pole so each time pressure is precise on surface- I use the brush in huge triple bucket system dipping the brush after every stroke in to each of three buckets- so no chance of carrier dirt damaging paint- the hogs hair releases dirt into the three buckets similar to how the Vinyl Styl Deep Groove Record Washer does. And air drying ensures no further contact which equates to no additional damage

[ceasarandrepont]

Sir, I have always used "Simple Green" for house cleaning but I have never, never knew a person could use this product for cleaning albums. Thank you! From Brooklyn, New York City. P.S. For the next time (for me) please play the sound before and after

[mikeinthefastlane]

Spin Clean works for me. That’s all I use.

[chrislj]

What relaxes me is listening to you talk about cleaning records, lol. This could also be a good ASMR video.

[jhix]

Tavis, great video. Have you ever tried using an "edger" or "edge painter" to clean your records? They're the little plastic rectangular thingies you use to paint the edges of walls. They're available at hardware stores or big box stores and they're super cheap and the perfect size for cleaning records. The replaceable bristle pads track the grooves such that you barely need apply pressure. Just skate it around the record a few times after you spray the cleaner on there, then proceed normally with your towels and your rinsing and drying process. I certainly didn't invent this method, i've seen others employ it in youtube videos, but I've found it to be quick, easy and effective.

[alandewey]

thanx for taking the time to make this video, recently got back into LPs & have been buying many 60/70s LPs that need a good cleaning, one of the sellers actually mentioned this product (simple green) works well .

[kraig]

I just use distilled water and a cotton t-shirt. 9:19 I slightly dampen a t-shirt and wipe until it "feels" smooth.

[goplad]

I've been using Windex for over 40 years to clean my dirty records. It has been amazing. I think I'll try your method of Simple Green and distilled water. I'm intrigued. I never understood why someone would invest hundreds of dollars into a record cleaning machine. Its time consuming and doesn't do a better job than a simple method of cleaning like what you have shown us. Thanks for posting this.

[ScottGrammer]

I've never used Simple Green to clean records. But, I use it in my day job servicing vintage audio gear to clean faceplates and knobs. I take the knobs off and let them soak in a glass bowl full of Simple green while I service the unit. Then, before putting the knobs back on, I use a microfiber cloth and Simple Green to clean the faceplate. When the knobs come out of the bowl, all they need is to be dried off and they are spotless. Put them back on and the unit looks much better.

[johnparks]

Tavis, I like the way you present. It's a folksy down home style. I can relate! Although I've learned some things from the rooty, tooty, snooty types and adjusted techniques to fit my preferences.

Record cleaning is sort of like cooking recipes. Everyone has their own way of preparing food.

I haven't used Simple Green. I have use Murphy's Oil Soap with distilled water and a final rinse with Audio Intelligent #6 one step rinse.

My cleaning process uses the Vinyl Styl RCM and a vacuum based RCM to suck the muck and fluid out of the grooves and to ensure the record is dry. The Vinyl Styl is quite good at getting into the groove because it uses goat hair brushes, something micro fiber or any other type of cloth cannot do.

Enjoyed your video!

[ClassicRockerUSA]

I appreciate your video and thank you Tavis for this tip. Just like you, I love cleaning records. It gives me peace and it relaxes me, especially while listening to music in the background. I appreciate you brother.

[audiononsense]

After using this method now for over 6 mo (I buy a ton of used Vinyl) and the only change is what I use as a cleaning brush and rinse in Ultrasonic w/surfactant, it does an amazing job... Thanks for the video!!

[chet_fan]

Thanks for the tip! You have a very soothing voice.

[joepalladino]

Good job Tavis - I use a similar method, but with Blue Dawn. I may try the Simple Green - I do it at the sink, though, thoroughly wetting the record, hitting it with the solution from a spray bottle, and I also use a very fine Italian horse-hair brush that really does a great job getting in and cleaning the grooves. But again - love this video.

[bradrapp]

I agree this is safe and that the distilled water wipe down will remove any residue. I did it with a similar alcohol based screen cleanser and brought two rare but unlistenable LPs back to life. No damage or degradation to the record, but now sound great…90% better. Lots of doctrine voodo out there, all aimed at keeping us chasing the holy grail device or overpriced cleanser. Micro fiber works as well as anything I’ve heard despite superstition to the contrary. This is a good tip ‘y’all.

[grantb]

I believe what u say! Thanks! i was going to use the other solution, but this stopped me.