How to Clean Vinyl Records Safely at Home
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This guide from Harbourside Records explains what to look for before you buy, play or care for your records.
In this guide:
- Before you start
- Step 1: Remove loose dust
- Step 2: Choose a suitable cleaning fluid
- Step 3: Clean along the grooves
- Step 4: Rinse and dry correctly
- What to avoid
- Keep records cleaner for longer
Before you start
Check that you are cleaning a modern vinyl LP rather than a shellac 78 rpm disc. Shellac needs different care, and products safe for vinyl may damage it. Inspect the record and label for existing damage.
Step 1: Remove loose dust
Use a purpose-made carbon-fibre record brush gently, following its instructions. Remove dust before playing to reduce contamination and help keep your stylus clean. A dry brush is not a substitute for deep cleaning.
Step 2: Choose a suitable cleaning fluid
Use a product explicitly formulated for vinyl records. Dedicated manual cleaning systems, vacuum cleaners and ultrasonic machines can all work when used correctly. Avoid excessive pressure and keep paper labels dry.
Step 3: Clean along the grooves
Use a clean, suitable pad or brush and follow the cleaning system manufacturer's method. Do not scrub with abrasive materials. For particularly dirty records, more than one gentle pass may be preferable to aggressive cleaning.
Step 4: Rinse and dry correctly
Some solutions require rinsing with purified water; follow the product instructions. Let the record dry completely before playback or putting it back in an inner sleeve. Trapped moisture can damage paper packaging.
What to avoid
Avoid glass cleaner, bleach, abrasive cloths, improvised solvents and hot water. Never use alcohol-based cleaners on shellac 78s. Do not attempt to polish scratches away; physical groove damage cannot be repaired by cleaning.
Keep records cleaner for longer
Handle records by their edges, use clean inner sleeves, store them upright and keep your stylus maintained. Clean only as needed; regular gentle dust removal is often enough for well-kept records.
Frequently asked questions
Can cleaning remove scratches?
No. Cleaning removes contamination but cannot restore damaged grooves.
How often should records be cleaned?
Brush away loose dust as needed and deep-clean when dirt or contamination warrants it.
Shop vinyl records at Harbourside Records
Browse new and pre-owned vinyl records at Harbourside Records, an independent record store upstairs at 4/4 George Street, Warilla, NSW, Australia. Shop online or visit us in store. Availability and editions change.