If you’ve recently purchased a vinyl record or two, you may be wondering how to clean them properly. After all, you want to keep your new records in pristine condition! Luckily, cleaning vinyl records is relatively easy to do at home with just a few household items.
Here’s what you need to know about how to clean vinyl records.
Vinyl Care 101 – How to Clean Your Records, Handle, and Store Them
- Gather your supplies: You will need a record brush, a microfiber cloth, and a vinyl cleaning solution
- Dust off the record: Use the record brush to gently remove any dust or dirt from the surface of the record
- Apply the cleaning solution: Spray a small amount of vinyl cleaning solution onto the microfiber cloth and wipe it over the surface of the record in a circular motion
- Rinse off the record: Run clean water over the surface of the record to remove any residue from the cleaning solution
- Dry off the record: Use a clean microfiber cloth to dry off any remaining water on
How to Clean Vinyl Records by Hand
If you’re a vinyl lover, you know that taking care of your records is important. But what’s the best way to clean them? Here are some tips on how to clean your vinyl records by hand:
1. Start with a clean surface. Make sure your record player and turntable are free of dust and debris before you start cleaning your record. This will help ensure that the dirt and grime you’re about to remove from the record doesn’t end up back on your turntable.
2. Gather your supplies. You’ll need a soft, lint-free cloth (like an old t-shirt), distilled water, and isopropyl alcohol (also called rubbing alcohol). Avoid using tap water, as it can contain minerals that can damage your records.
3. dampen your cloth with distilled water . Gently wipe the surface of the record in a circular motion, being careful not to miss any spots. If there are any stubborn areas of dirt or grime, use a cotton swab dipped in distilled water to lightly scrub those areas.
4 . Next, dampen your cloth with isopropyl alcohol . Again, wipe the surface of the record in a circular motion until all traces of dirt and grime have been removed .
Be sure to avoid getting any moisture on the label , as this can cause it to peel off over time . 5 . Finally , use a dry , soft cloth to buff the surface of the record until it shines .
And that’s it! Your record should now be nice and clean – ready for another spin on your turntable!

Credit: www.wikihow.com
What Household Items Can I Use to Clean My Records?
When it comes to cleaning your records, there are a few household items that can come in handy. Here are a few of our favourites:
1. A soft brush – A soft brush, such as a paintbrush, is perfect for dusting off your records.
Simply brush the bristles over the surface of the record in a circular motion to remove any dust or dirt.
2. A lint-free cloth – A lint-free cloth can be used to give your records a gentle wipe down. Use circular motions to avoid scratching the surface of the vinyl.
3. distilled water – If your records are particularly dirty, you may need to give them a deeper clean using distilled water and white vinegar (see below). Distilled water will ensure that there are no minerals or impurities in the water which could damage your records further.
4 White vinegar – White vinegar is great for removing stubborn stains from vinyl records.
Simply add equal parts white vinegar and distilled water to a bowl and use a lint-free cloth to gently scrub the affected areas of your record.
What is the Best Thing to Clean Vinyl Records With?
Vinyl records are one of the most popular ways to listen to music, but they can be a pain to keep clean. If you don’t clean your records regularly, they can start to sound crackly and distorted. Don’t worry though – with a little effort, you can keep your vinyl collection sounding great for years to come.
So, what’s the best way to clean vinyl records? There are a few different methods that you can use, but we recommend the following steps: 1. First, using a soft brush (like an anti-static brush), gently remove any dust or dirt from the surface of the record.
Pay special attention to the grooves where most of the dirt tends to accumulate. 2. Next, make a cleaning solution by mixing together equal parts isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. Dip a microfiber cloth into this solution and then wipe down the surface of the record, being sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies.
3. Once you’ve given it a good cleaning, rinse off the record with distilled water and dry it with a lint-free cloth. Make sure that there is no residual moisture on the record before moving on to step four! 4. Finally, apply a small amount of Record Revirginizer (or another similar product) onto a new microfiber cloth and rub it into the surface of the record in a circular motion.
This will help fill in any microscopic scratches or imperfections in the vinyl and improve sound quality overall.
Can I Clean Vinyl Records With Soap And Water?
It’s a common misconception that you can clean vinyl records with soap and water. In reality, this is not the best way to clean your records and can actually damage them. Soap and water can leave behind residue that will attract dust and dirt, which can then get trapped in the grooves of your record.
This will not only impact the sound quality of your music, but it can also lead to premature wear and tear on your records.
The best way to clean your vinyl records is with a specialty cleaning solution designed specifically for use on Records. These solutions are usually made with distilled water and alcohol, which will safely remove any dirt or grime without damaging your record.
You can apply the solution to a soft cloth or brush and gently scrub the surface of your record in a circular motion. Once you’re finished, be sure to rinse the record off with distilled water to remove any residual cleaner. Finally, dry your record completely with a soft microfiber cloth before storing it away.
Can You Clean Vinyl Records With Alcohol?
It’s no secret that vinyl records are delicate items. They can be easily scratched or damaged if not handled properly, which is why many people are hesitant to clean them. However, if you take the proper precautions, cleaning your vinyl records with alcohol can actually be quite effective.
The first step is to make sure you’re using the right type of alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, is a good choice because it evaporates quickly and doesn’t leave behind any residue. However, you don’t want to use anything too strong – diluting the alcohol with water can help prevent damage to your records.
Once you’ve got your solution ready, gently wipe down the record with a soft cloth soaked in the alcohol. Be careful not to apply too much pressure – you don’t want to risk scratching the surface. Once you’ve gone over the entire record, rinse it off with clean water and dry it with a soft towel.
With a little care and patience, cleaning your vinyl records with alcohol can be a safe and effective way to keep them looking like new.
Conclusion
If you’re a vinyl lover, you know that keeping your records clean is key to maintaining sound quality. But what’s the best way to clean them? If you’re not careful, you can damage your records.
In this post, we’ll show you how to clean your vinyl records at home without damaging them.
First, dust off your record with a soft cloth. If there are any stubborn dirt or fingerprints, use a mild cleaning solution and a soft cloth to gently wipe them away.
Be sure to avoid using anything abrasive, which could damage the record’s surface.
Once the record is dust-free, it’s time to give it a deep cleaning. You can either use a commercial cleaning solution designed for vinyl records, or make your own by mixing distilled water and white vinegar in equal parts.
Gently apply the solution to the record with a soft cloth, being careful not to get any on the label. Once the entire record is coated, rinse it with distilled water and dry it with a lint-free cloth.
Now your record should be shining like new!