Best Way to Clean Vinyl Records? Five Methods - Pros & Cons

Sound Matters compare five different record cleaning methods and cover the pros and cons of each. Ask ten people how to clean vinyl records, and you’ll undoubtedly get ten different answers. As the saying goes, “there’s more than one way to shine a penny”.

We compare and list the pros and cons of:

1. Cleaning Vinyl Records by Hand
2. Using a Record Bath (such as the SpinClean Record Washer)
3. Vacuum Record Cleaning Machines
4. Ultrasonic Record Cleaning
5. A simple Carbon Fiber Record Brush

Resources and links:
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Complete guide on how to clean vinyl records:

GrooveWasher Record Cleaning Fluid:
Get 10% off using the code SOUNDMATTERS10:

Product links on Amazon (Amazon Affliate Links):

#vinylrecords #recordcleaning #recordcollecting #vinylcommunity

[JonKentplus]

I find that the Disco Antistat is far better than Spinclean as it gets into the grooves rather than just, basically, polishing the surface.

[ScramjetNY]

Another great video Marc. Your channel and web site are the best for vinyl enthusiasts.

I still use my original discwasher system with the D4 High Technology Record Cleaning Fluid and the original walnut brush, along with my original discwasher walnut stylus mirror/brush and SC-2 Stylus Cleaning Fluid.

It's augmented with a Pro-Ject Brush it and Gruv Glide lubricant by Rozoil.

I'm pretty happy with the results and most of my albums from decades ago still play like new :)

[ganonkenobi]

I tried all of these methods or variations and combinations of them.

Ultrasonic wins by a mile, tried several multi step methods, like spin clean, ultrasonic then vacuum dry but what I found worked best with no additional steps was an ultrasonic bath then soak up most of the surface moisture with a microfiber towel and set to air dry for about 5 minutes.

[mica]

I feel you've missed one very important method off your list and that is to find a reputable - and note the word reputable - company who can clean each record for you using either a Project, an Okki Nokki or even an ultrasonic cleaning deck and provide new inner sleeves for two or three pounds an album.

[IanMcClure]

Got a VC-E and it was shipped with the wrong clamp so I returned it and upgraded to the ALU. It worked very well for about three weeks and then the motor/vacuum blew out. It started making an awful sound like it was dying, and then it did die. I was pleased with the results when it worked, but for a premium product the build quality was surprisingly low. I have a Record Doctor VI now and it’s working fine, but it’s not as good of an experience as the Pro-ject machines. I wanted an Okki Nokki but there are none on the market right now. I don’t mind investing in a premium RCM but it seems like there are no quality ones with vacuum functionality available in the <$1000 price range.

[gregtapevideo]

Distilled water and a few drops of dawn in a tub designated for record cleaning.
Apply the solution to the record with your clean hands. Rubbing lightly as you go around. Both sides.
Then a rinse cycle with a designated garden sprayer full of distilled water. Twice around each side. I power wash my records!! Dry with microfiber towel.
The label does get wet but dont touch it. Once it dries it will be fine.

[stephenmackey]

Should you “wet clean” (record cleaning fluid with microfiber brush) your records every time before listening?

[stephenmackey]

Should you wet clean (cleaning fluid with microfiber brush) before every listen?

[mden]

Have you tried any of MOFI’s liquid cleaning products? Have you used a microfiber cloth and if so do you find that it works well?

[jaytorr]

In all honesty, I think the cheap handcleaning is as good any.

[geoffreydebrito]

If there are pros and cons to all five... there is NO 'best' way.