How the Pros DEEP CLEAN their Vinyl Records (and you can too)

Welcome to Deaf Man Vinyl's record cleaning masterclass. Learn about record cleaning kits, why you always start dry, how you combat dust and static, and more to effectively, efficiently and entirely clean your own vinyl records at home.

[stephenbrowne]

I like to clean mine with sandpaper and polish, gives a nice smooth finish.

[penelopepurr]

I love how it starts out by saying that people will bore you to tears with their method, followed by this dude then explaining his method.

[groverbaker]

Knowing the proper amount of moisture in a cleaning cloth helps remarkably. An anti stat mat or brush is also a must!! In 55 years of collecting and cleaning. yours is a better method than the average video!! Great job

[latetotheparty]

This is an older video but as a newcomer to vinyl thank you for the tips. I've been lucky enough to talk to people in person about aspects of setting up to play records and online resources such as this to further assist. I'm very grateful to have such a wealth of information at my fingertips to ease the learning curve.

[pauljarman]

You are SPOT on. I have tried many techniques including machines and cleaners etc, and this is number ONE. Like a chainsaw chain, or a good knife etc, I find that the secret is cleaning EVERY time I use. Simple. Brush off dust, then clean, clean needle, clean all, then play. Every record every time. SIMPLE. like any machine. Respect

[howardowens]

Cork is anti-static. I bought a cork turntable mat and set my records on that to clean them with a rubberized roller. I then do a second cleaning with a velvet cleaning brush wetted with a record cleaner. I've found this very effective.

[adamarmstrong]

Tried everything and arrived at using this method. Definitely my favorite and most consistent method. Great video!

[jazzman]

The two best things I bought for my records were a replacement turntable platter. I took off the metal one and replaced it with an Acrylic platter. The results are that I get zero static when the records are on the turntable. Then I bought an Okki Nokki record cleaning machine. The results are amazing.

[samick]

I tried this today, and it worked great...did it on the worst sounding album in my collection and it sounded 60% better which its probably never been cleaned by previous owners..so thanks for the great video.

[benaskewsartanddesign]

Omg I didn’t know Brett Favre had a YouTube channel!

[HappyTyke]

Great information, I've not used vinyl records for 30 years or so, just getting back in to vinyl. Cool T shirt too. Saxon a great band from my home town. 👍

[Groesch]

I work at Goodwill in the basement and handle all the vinyl we put online. And this is the best video out there on how to clean them. I can vouch for everything this man is saying. Great video!

[Primeanaloggourmet]

You are doing it wrong on the Discwasher!!! I worked in a record store for years in the '80's and we had the developer of the Dishwasher System come in and demonstrate how to do it properly! First of all the bristles all go unidirectional and there is a reason for that! Not omnidirectional! The only direction you go is pointed out on the brush where is says Dishwasher on the end! You will see an arrow there showing the direction you must go! The way you do it was on the lead edge you would put 3 drops, evenly spaced on the brush! Then with the bottle, still in hand using the base of it, you evenly distribute the three drops of fluid across that lead edge! Then, on the turntable turning, you would put the lead-edge of the brush gently down on the record and let the record make a few times around! Then slowly rotate the brush counterclockwise! Now you are ready to play a nice clean record! Also with the system comes a little brush to brush off the brush and I use that after every record I clean! I have the complete system and use it every time I play records! I need to get a new brush and replace fluids here and there but it works amazing especially the ZeroStat gun! All don't forget to do a stylus clean about every 5 records or you'll be carving up your records! Sorry for rambling!

[chacod.hastiin]

Had a flea market find album with visible scratches and frisbee like damage to it. Took a dollar store veggie cleaning brush (soft vinyl bristles) with DI water, eye glass cleaner (used on plastic lenses) and lint free cloth. Vinyl cleaned up fine. Record still had the usual older pop and clicks but not as prominent. Cleaned it again and seemed to sound a little better without damage to said technique. Maybe a technique not many want to try but it worked and if you're not critical about the "best" ways.

[mrbojangles]

Thank you. I've been collecting vinyl for almost 40 years and never realized why dust would keep reappearing on the opposite side of the record. Amazing!

[rbazola]

Great tips! One thing I noticed is the discwasher handle has an arrow on it. I have the D4 from the 80's and always thought the fibers were directional and clean better if you pull with the arrow in the direction of travel. Also, the brush that comes with the dishwasher is not for cleaning the stylus (as some have suggested). It is for cleaning the discwasher surface only (per the original instruction manual). Sorry, engineer nerding out. LOL

[llewellyn]

Great video. I don’t understand other videos they use water. Hair dryer. So crazy. Your way the best way.

[jeffsims]

I've been using the "spin-clean" device for years and it's always left me satisfied and smiling!😁👍👍

[chev]

Thank you so much for not just sharing the importance of cleaning and keeping vinyl, but also sharing HOW to do it the best way possible!... the details like the desk mat is super valuable!

[samsquanch]

Great info, funny thing is when we were kids throw that record on and crank it to 11! Now it’s attention to detail spend 5 or 10 mins cleaning, protecting and storing them....then cranking it to 11!