Record Cleaning Machines vs Hand Cleaning Vinyl

Record cleaning machines can undoubtedly improve your vinyl cleaning workflow, but do you REALLY need a record cleaning machine? After all, they are quite expensive!

Is it possible to get great results cleaning vinyl records by hand?

What are the pros and cons of using a record cleaning machine (such as a vacuum record cleaner or an ultrasonic record cleaning machine) vs good old manual methods?

Join us in this video, where we discuss record cleaning machines vs hand cleaning, comparing each method and discussing the pros and cons.

By the end of the video, you'll have a better idea of whether or not an expensive record cleaning machine is a good investment for you based on your record-collecting habits.

Links & Resources - (AAL = Amazon Affliate Link):
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Audio Quest Carbon Fiber Record Brush (AAL):

ProJect VC-E (AAL):

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Partner/Sponsor Discounts:

GrooveWasher Record Cleaning (Use code: SOUNDMATTERS10 for 10% Off)

Twelve Inch Record Displays (Use code: SOUNDMATTERS10 for 10% Off)

VSS Record Sleeves: (Use code SOUNDMATTERS10 on checkout):

Vinyl Pursuit - Vintage Vinyl Online: (Use code SOUNDMATTERS15):

Vinyl Moon - Record Subscription (SOUNDMATTERS10)

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#vinylcommunity #vinylrecords #vinylcollection #recordcleaning

[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!

[knockshinnoch]

I'm 62. I began collecting music back in 1971. I was lucky, dad is an audiophile who instilled in me how to respect and care for equipment and records- taking pride in maintaining everything to the highest standards. One of the best pieces of advice? DON'T BORROW OR LEND RECORDS TO ANYONE ELSE!! I embraced the new technologies and developments as they arrived- CDs in the mid 80s and Mini Disc in the mid 90s. I stopped buying vinyl around 1988 but nothing would make me part with my vinyl collection- I was emotionally attached to each and every record. I eventually stopped playing vinyl around 1990 and finally sold my turntable around 1995. All of my vinyl was carefully stored in the attic. I retired in 2021 and decided to upgrade my kit to my "end of the road Nirvana set up" I decided to add a turntable after all these years in order to dig out the old vinyl every now and again as I had so much time now on my hands. The Vinyl revolution had piqued my interest. I wasn't going to spend a fortune as the turntable was an "extra`' rather than my main kit. I settled on a good Technics record player. While researching products I was gobsmacked to see the number of folks online who were sharing their knowledge and expertise on vinyl. My teeth were set on edge at some of the bonkers methods and various snake oil charlatans online. Slathering records with PVA wood glue, WD 40, washing Up liquid and melting warped discs in a conventional oven. Where did all these nutcases spring from? Then I was introduced to these amazing contraptions that would suck my record clean, bombard them with air bubbles- all for only a few thousand quid. THE WORLD HAD GONE BONKERS. ANAUDIOPHILE/RECORD COLLECTOR AND HIS (MOSTLY) MONEY IS EASILY PARTED! I just couldn't understand the economics of buying a whole bundle of second hand records (this always puts my teeth on edge and I break out in hives)that look as if they've been stored in a barnyard and reversed over with a tractor and expect this $2000 wonder machine to restore the disc to pristine condition. NO NO NO! The Emperor has no clothes on folks! Then I was introduced to record clamps costing thousands of dollars. The world had indeed gone mad. Anyway I set up all of my new kit and fired up my new turntable and gave it a spin. I took out the vinyl- it was in great shape and guess what- this 40 year old record that had been stored in the attic for the past 28 years sounded fantastic. No need to spend thousands, just basic care and respect shown towards your records. Don't lend or borrow and avoid 2nd hand like the plague- far too risky- the guy before you may have used a rusty nail! But above all else, enjoy the music- whatever the gene and whatever the era and of course whatever the format. The turntable? After the novelty wore off, it rarely gets spun- it's too much trouble- labour intensive and time consuming...

[needlehitthegroove]

The best video I’ve seen on this topic… you just saved me a ton of money… not that I had it to spend anyway 😂

[brucelunde]

I purchased a Pro-Ject vc-e this last year and started working on some old favorite lps. My goodness, this was a revelation on some of my elderly records. My system now is so much better than back then and the investment is a pretty good cartridge certainly helps. The cleaning machine really improves the sound and eliminates so much of the pops and clicks.

These old albums now really sing! One thing though about some 60's and 70's albums is that some of the music is unlistenably bad to our ears. Ah well, there is so much that still inspires. Happy listening all.

[SimonPearce]

I bought the Pro-Ject VC-E and I'm delighted with it. Old records; new records - they all get a clean. The expense is justified as I can buy vintage vinyl safe in the knowledge that I can clean it up to (almost) as good as new - if I get the record I want from the bargain crate for a tenner and clean it, then I've saved myself twenty.

[jamon]

I use the Vinyl Vac system and find that it works very well for me. Less labor intensive than the manual cleaning you showed but more labor intensive than the Pro-Ject machine. Much less expensive than the Pro-Ject. My results have been outstanding, and if there is a particularly dirty record, I leave the cleaning fluid on longer. Ultimately though, I would like to have a machine like the Pro-Ject.

[ThresholdZhor]

After repairing the best record cleaning machine the Audio Desk Systeme Glass all I can say is that I would have to buy one because it simply put the disc to sound at the best possible way, fenomenal, I see you forgot to put it here and you should

[greatmuta]

I tried the manual Spin-clean, and I've got mixed results. Then i switched to pro-ject vc-e and the difference is huge. Personally, i recommend the vacuum cleaner.

[blueriverlore]

I purchased the original Nitty Gritty washer/vacuum machine many years ago to clean my entire collection of about a thousand LP records from the 60s and 70s. I then placed each record in a static free sleeve and stored them after each use. If I need an occasional touch-up then I'll do a quick clean. Any new LP that comes in the house gets 'the treatment' before playing. They sound great and reduce wear and tear on the stylus. Good video.

[tandanh]

I have a project vac cleaner and a cheap ultrasonic cleaner. I purchased the ultrasonic cleaner First, followed by the project cleaner about a month later. I now use the Vac cleaner for almost all record cleaning, usually cleaning records before they are played. However the ultrasonic cleaner is really fantastic at cleaning really dirty records, like stuff splashed with paint or children's crayons. I have a lot of records from the 1960's which i can now play without fear of ripping the needle off the stylus, after cleaning with an ultrasonic cleaner. However the convenience that the project vacuum cleaner brings to the cleaning process has gotten me into the discipline of ensuring that all records are clean before being played. And that alone is worth the cost of purchase.

[richardmorgan]

I purchased a VPI HW 16.5 new years ago. It was pricey then but the current models are at least $200 more! Mine has performed flawlessly all these years! Parts will break over time but they are easy to find, stupid easy to replace and fairly affordable. I also have the Groove Washer system as well as an old Disc Washer brush which doesn’t get used much (the newer system is just better). I use everything! Records sound amazing in our home!

[rickmilam]

If manual cleaning is the only option for you, I understand. The Groovewasher products are quite good. I live about 15 minutes from them. I use the large Pro-Ject machine for cleaning visibly dirty records. I. use a Degritter for what I call fine cleaning and, perhaps most importantly, the best rinsing method available. I don't use anything in the ultrasonic water. I've used 3 and am not terribly impressed by any of them. The Degriritter fluid is the worst in my opinion. Records sound less noisy but kind of murky sounding. I use Tergikleen and spritz a little on the record then distribute with a fine goat hair brush. Then into the Degritter for the US cleaning. Then, because I am a bit of a nut and also listen to lots of classical music, I change to my second tank and do a rinse with pure water. One thing to be aware of is the possibility of loosening stuff deep in the grooves and actually having more noise. If this happens, repeat your process and be sure to rinse at the end, hopefully vacuuming or in an US machine.

[leespj]

I have had the project vc-s2 alu for almost a month now. Happy with the results so far. Brand new records I tend to do a quick clean on turntable prior to listening. All 2nd hand get the project treatment.

[indieworks]

Good honest review. Always cleaned by hand from the 70's onwards with no problem using the right kit and still have the zerostat pistol if static creates a problem.

[baggiesbhoy]

My cleaning method
- Put record on turntable, turn it on, place Audioquest brush vertically with little downward force onto the record, always move the brush to the centre of the record and lift off like a plane taking off when removing, the dust will stick to the brush and not transfer to the other side.
- Move the record to a cheap usb turntable with tonearm removed for cleaning and put label saver in place.
- Mix 10 drops of Tergikleen Surfactant into 1 litre of distilled water, also add two vials of Glycol (this enables the surfactant to stay on the record in a vertical position), shake bottle and spray onto the record.
- Using a Rottweiler Paint Pad Edger 4' gently place it on the record (not too much downward force otherwise the plastic base holding the bristles will come into contact with the record and will scratch) turn the record enabling the surfactant to get deep into the grooves.
- Let the Surfactant absorb on the record for about one minute.
- Fill disco antistat with distilled water and 7% alcohol mixed to the top of the bristles.
- Move record to disco antistat, turn several times in both directions, you can also let it soak turning occasionally.
- Lift record out of disco antistat and let all the fluid drop back into the tank.
- Move the record back to usb turntable.
- Tip a small amount of distilled water into a bowl and using a Foam paint brush thoroughly clean the record.
- Attach Vinyl Vac 33 to the hoover, clamp to centre hole and turn record slowly.
- Remove the record from usb turntable, place record in the rack provide with Disco Anti-stat and thoroughly clean the usb turntable base with distilled water and dry with lint cloth.
- Repeat hoover procedure with side 2.
- Repeat use of Audioquest static brush before playing.

I've tested this method against several expensive cleaning machines and only the degritter was able to produce the same results.

Cost of items required.
disco antistat - £50
Tergikleen Surfactant - £30 + £10 postage from US.
Glycerine / Mono Propylene Glycol £9
Vinyl Vac 33 - £37 + £13 for postage from US.
Isopropyl Alcohol - £6
5L Distilled Water - £9
Rottweiler Paint Pad Edger 4' (2 pack) - £10
Foam brush 4' - £2
USB Turntable - £8

Total cost = £184

Credit to Vinyl for Miles for making me aware of the excellent Vinyl Vac 33 and The Audiophille Man for Tergikleen Surfactant which is a game changer in vinyl cleaning standards for me.

[spacehopper]

I bought a Pro-Jet VCE cleaning machine 2 years ago. For me, it's worth its money, especially when buying used records. I've had varying results; some records have been transformed from almost unplayable, full of clicks and pops to almost new condition, whilst others have not made much of a difference. Overall though, it generally improves the sound and reduces the clicks and pops.

[peterrech]

Hi Marc, great video as per usual. One comment that I would make is that when you say to check the felt strips for wear regularly, I would also add that these felt strips be cleaned very regularly because grit can imbed itself into these felt pads and strips and thus scratching records. This applies to all vacuum machines, Groove washer/Discwasher type brushes and SpinClean type units. A toenail cleaning brush is perfect for getting the grit out of these pads and strips.

[uncleremus]

For recently purchased used records, I use a toothbrush with dish soap. Rinse in lukewarm water, dry on a towel with microfiber cloth. It works fine for the really dirty ones. Otherwise, my old records get the Discwasher kit treatment, That's enough.

[stevehink]

I use a combination of manual, ultrasonic and vacuum. I mostly by new audiophile records at this time. First step, ultrasonic clean using a solution of distilled water, Tergikleen and a bit of alcohol. I have a filter system in place and leave fluid in the tank so a little Hepastat for bacteria control. I settled on an isonic P4875 Ultrasonic machine as it’s a good balance between economy and performance. I only do three records at a time, although the spindle holds ten. I clean for ten minutes, and run through distilled water in a spin clean (without the pads). Then onto the Pro-Ject VC-E to remove the water. The final step is 3-5 drops of ultra pure lab grade water with a MoFi cleaning pad, then one final vacuum. The last step may not be necessary, but it makes me feel better. Before ultrasonic, I’d clean with MoFi pads and Audio Intelligent three step process using a vacuum machine. Still use that method after ultrasonic cleaning on stubborn used records. I found the combination of methods works very well!

[budsmoker]

Use microfiber towels but first carbon fiber brush. Then microfiber towl sprayed with 10%isopropyl and 90% distilled water. You can even and 1 : 30 simple green as well