Vinyl Cleaning Tips
How to Clean Your Vinyl Records Properly (Without Damaging Them)
If you collect vinyl — whether you’ve got ten records or ten thousand — keeping them clean is one of the most important things you can do. Dust, fingerprints, and grime don’t just look bad: they cause pops, distortion, and long-term groove wear.
Luckily, cleaning records isn’t complicated. Here’s a simple, reliable guide to keeping your vinyl sounding as good as the day it was pressed.
⭐ Why Cleaning Vinyl Matters
Vinyl grooves are tiny.
We’re talking microscopic tiny.
Anything that settles inside — dust, skin oils, paper sleeve fibers, smoke, pet hair — gets dragged by your stylus and creates:
crackles
pops
distortion
static
and even permanent damage over time
A clean record = better sound + longer life for both the vinyl and your stylus.
⭐ 1. Use a Carbon Fiber Brush Before Every Play
This is the quickest and safest habit.
✔ What it does:
Removes surface dust
Reduces static
Prevents debris from entering the grooves during play
✔ How to use it:
-
Place the record on the turntable (don’t start spinning yet).
-
Gently rest the brush across the grooves.
-
Let the platter spin 1–2 rotations.
-
Sweep the dust off the record in a straight line.
This should be your every-time cleaning method.
⭐ 2. For Deep Cleaning: Use a Proper Record Cleaning Solution
If a record is noisy even after brushing, it needs a deeper clean.
✔ What to avoid:
Windex
Alcohol-heavy cleaners
Dish soap
DIY hacks you saw on YouTube
These can damage the vinyl or leave residue.
✔ What to use:
Record cleaning fluid
A microfiber cleaning pad
Distilled water (never tap water)
✔ Steps:
-
Lay the record on a clean, soft surface.
-
Apply a few drops of cleaning fluid.
-
Gently wipe in a circular motion with the grooves — never across them.
-
Let it air dry or wipe with a clean microfiber cloth.
This removes:
fingerprints
oils
built-up grime
noisy debris deep in the grooves
⭐ 3. Consider a Record Cleaning Machine (If You Have Lots of Vinyl)
If you’ve got a growing collection, a cleaning machine is a game-changer.
There are three types:
Manual machines
Spin-Clean
Knosti Disco Antistat
Cheap, effective, and perfect for beginners.
Vacuum machines
VPI
Okki Nokki
Pro-Ject VC-S
These suck dirt out of the grooves. Serious cleaning power.
Ultrasonic cleaners
Degritter
Humminguru
iSonic
These use microscopic bubbles to remove dirt you can’t even see.
Top-tier cleaning, gentle on vinyl, and audiophile-approved.
⭐ 4. Replace Old or Dusty Inner Sleeves
Cleaning your record and putting it back in a dusty paper sleeve is like showering then putting on dirty clothes.
Use:
anti-static poly-lined sleeves
MoFi-style rice paper sleeves
anything anti-static and lint-free
Avoid old paper sleeves that shed fibers.
⭐ 5. Keep Your Stylus Clean Too
A dirty stylus means a noisy record — even if the vinyl is spotless.
Use:
a stylus brush
gel pads
or stylus cleaner fluid
Clean the stylus every few plays.
⭐ 6. Store Records Properly
Even perfectly cleaned vinyl gets dirty if stored incorrectly.
Store them:
vertically (never stacked)
away from heat
inside sleeves
inside jackets
inside outer poly sleeves (optional but recommended)
Good storage = fewer deep cleans.
⭐ When to Deep Clean vs. Light Clean
Use a carbon brush every play.
Fast, easy, prevents build-up.
Use a deep clean when:
you buy used records
you hear persistent noise
the vinyl looks cloudy, hazy, or fingerprinted
the grooves look dull and dusty
For most collectors, deep cleaning every few months is plenty.
⭐ Final Thoughts
Clean vinyl doesn’t just sound better — it lasts longer.
With a good brush, a safe cleaner, proper sleeves, and the occasional deep clean, your records will stay in top shape for years to come.
Whether you’re spinning a brand-new reissue or a thrift-store classic from 1967, a little care goes a long way.