How to Handle Vinyl Records Correctly - Vinyl 101

If you’re new to the vinyl hobby, or perhaps rediscovering an old collection, it pays to understand a few golden rules that will ensure your collection remains in tip-top condition.

Handle vinyl records correctly, and they will reward you with a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Mishandle them, on the other hand, and you will quickly ruin the listening experience. Or worse, render a record unplayable.

In this video, I explain how to handle vinyl records correctly to avoid damage.

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Full guide on "How to Handle Vinyl Records":

How to Use a Record Brush:

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[soundmatters]

Thanks for watching! Do drop your comments and questions below. If you'd like to support the channel, check the video description for many DISCOUNT CODES codes to enjoy money off various products and feed your vinyl habit! (I earn a small commission - no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

[nickleary]

I preffer to toss it like a frisby trying to hit the hole. I've gotten pretty good.

[shaunmk]

been taking my vinyl out the same way since i was teenager, im now 56....all play flawless still...and the number of times ive touched the surface of vinyl ive lost count

[djmk]

I was a DJ on my college radio station in the early 1980’s. There were over 40 different DJs over the course of a week that handled both LPs and 45s. I can’t tell you how many times I observed DJs holding records by gripping the front and back playing surfaces when placing records on the turntables. There were many records in the station collection that DJs played frequently. As a result of excessive abuse, many of these records had to be replaced with new like every six months or so. Since we only played one cut of an LP at a time, DJs would handle something like 10 to 15 records per hour. Most of the records in the station were filthy. I always cleaned each record I played during my shifts the best I could before playing them. We had three turntables we had to keep cued up at all times as long as the turntables were not broken.

[Kate-itpy]

Bold of you to assume my hands are big enough to remove a record from the sleeve without touching the sides. -Signed a member of the tiny hands club (I’ll definitely be trying the mitts!)

[andrewperry]

Records are more stronger than you think, touching the playing side is not a very big deal as they clean easy but that can be your next video. Just make sure you have clean hands and short nails

[hectortorres]

I better use the two fingers method instead of risking your record by placing your whole grassy hand on it.

[adamlemons]

My wife and I keep a box of non-zipper sandwich bags on our turntable stand and use them as gloves whenever we handle our records. Our friends and family think we’re crazy but they haven’t invested the money, spent hours in the kitchen cleaning or had the hours of enjoyment we have had either 🎶😎🎶
Thanks! Going to look into the gloves, think my wife will like them.

[StuartJohnstone-ow]

Good topic. For the last 30 years I have used soft cotton cloths that are used by glaziers. They are about the same size as a record cover, I never touch or handle my records bare handed.

[Licoricedisc]

I suggest NOT putting you hand inside the inner sleeve to pull the record.... you will be doing the exact same thing you are trying to avoid... you will be transferring what is on your hand onto the inside of the inner sleeve.
What you should do, is gently slide the record out of the sleeve, cradling the outer edge with your free hand and supporting the record by putting your index and middle finger of the cradling hand onto the underside of the label.
Then, after setting down the inner sleeve use both hands to cradle the outside edge of the label.
Again, putting your hands inside the inner sleeve does the same thing as touching the playing surface of the record... you are transferring whatever is on your hand on the inside of the inner sleeve, then onto the playing surface of the record.

[rosswarren]

Kudos to Hudson Hi-Fi for the mitts. Great idea! Better than using a glove that might transfer static electricity.

[WilliamKinsey-dxdn]

Thanks I wasn't sure about the vertical method for dust covers but you sold me with your no nonsense approach
And I definitely wasn't sold on storing records outside their covers!
But I've seen enough vertical dust covers to like it now

[williampacult]

Storing records inside the jacket, over time, will produce ring wear on the front and/or back of the jacket. I’d put the record sleeve behind jacket inside the outer jacket protector.

[Bondrkmz]

Thanks!
You just answered my question referring to what record brush you recommend. I had asked in the comments section on another video. Audioquest it is then.

[bastiwen]

The mitts are a good idea! I have smaller hands so I always struggle

[devonbeard]

This whole time I've been taking them out the wrong way I never realized I was damaging them thanks for the tips.

[georgeanastasopoulos]

Excellent demonstration; and a very good, useful pad for handling vinyl! The Hudson Hi Fi Record Mitt is certainly a practical, and valuable tool for handling most records.🔉🎵🎶

[enricolisk]

1. I use mitts, since I have carpel tunnel. It not only keeps the record clean, it also provides a good grip.

2. For countries that have no access to amazon, Ali Express has one that i use.

Great video!

[Eckythump]

I have become lazy over time and started picking up my records with two fingers. I really should go back to how I started. I have some static free gloves I used when I worked developing 35mm film in a camera shop. I used to pop those gloves on to handle my records. Excessive maybe, but protects them.

[davidrobertson]

At 1:30 I invert the sleeve and record & let gravity assist. Hand is all opened like you showed. The way I see it you've missed an opportunity to make things easier, and a as a result: greater chance of touching the playing surface