How to clean vinyl records: 9 Best Methods and Cleaning Tips

Basic everyday cleaning

Basics first – using a brush to take off superficial dust, hair, and debris.

I recommend you take the time to brush records before and after you play them quickly. This maintains their clean condition and keeps the needle of your record player clean.

This dry technique uses an anti-static carbon fiber brush or a velvet pad to remove dust and debris.

Generally, velvet pads are a more effective cleaning solution than a brush, although slightly more costly.

These are my preferred pads:

• Big Fudge 2-in-1 Record Cleaning Brush
• Velvet Record Cleaning Brush

For a full explanation of vinyl cleaning tools, check out my other guide, where I show you the best vinyl record cleaner tools and record cleaning kits.

How to use a record brush/pad

1. Place your record on your turntable and start up the platter
2. Gently place the record brush on the surface across the width of the record (pointing towards the center spindle), starting at the outer edge
3. While keeping contact with the record, slowly move the brush inwards slowly for a few revolutions onto the center label and lift it off
4. Touch the brush to the spindle as it comes away. The theory is touching the spindle discharges static buildup (which can cause pop/crackle sounds during playback). As the energy is dissipated through the turntable. That prevents fresh dust from sticking to the record.

How to properly clean vinyl records

This next section looks at deeper cleaning techniques. These methods can help to remove more than just loose dust and get your vinyl squeaky clean.

Before starting either of these methods, you should give them a basic dry cleaning with a brush or pad to remove any larger, loose pieces of dust, dirt, hair, etc. Otherwise, you risk pushing the dirt further into the grooves.

Method 1: Basic wet cleaning with a record cleaning kit

Record cleaning kits (such as the Groovewasher kit) are useful bundles that contain everything you need for a decent clean.

Here are the steps to follow for a wet cleaning kit.

1. Lay the dirty record on a suitable surface. The cloth included with the Groovewasher kit is an ideal material.
2. Use the label protector to cover the center label.
3. Spray the cleaning fluid to the surface of the record, and take care to avoid spraying the center label. Roughly 2-3 sprays should be enough, depending on the bottle and liquid.
4. Let the cleaning fluid get into the grooves and lift the dirt for about 10-20 seconds before wiping.
5. Lightly wipe the vinyl with a clean microfiber cloth in a circular motion a couple of times. Then wipe from the center label to the edge to dry the vinyl.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 if necessary.
7. Flip the vinyl record and repeat 2-4 for the B side.

Allow the record to dry fully before storing or playing.

Method 2: Wet cleaning with a record washer

Record washers are useful tools for deep cleaning used vinyl but can take time and become a little messy. Moreover, it’s easy for labels to get wet and while most record labels will be fine, some can be damaged (from first-hand experience).

Record washers are made up of a basic set with a basin that holds cleaning fluid and that allows you to spin the record in that fluid, then let it drip dry on a rack.

I’ve used a German version (Knosti), but these are a few similar options:

• Knox Vinyl Record Cleaner Spin Kit
• Spin-Clean Record Washer

The specifics of the cleaning process vary a little from model to model, but here are the basic steps for using this kind of record washer.

1. Assemble the washing unit.
2. Fill the washer with liquids as specified by the product manual. Typically you’ll receive a bottle of liquid bundled with the washing unit.
3. Insert your vinyl record into the cleaning slot.
4. Rotate the record clockwise and anti-clockwise multiple times, as specified in the manual.
5. After spinning, remove the record and leave it to air dry.
6. After you’ve finished cleaning the record, pack down and disassemble the washer as specified in the manual.
7. You should regularly clean the brushes and cleaning components of the washer. This prevents dirt from building up inside the washer unit.

With this kind of washer, I recommend you set aside some time for a cleaning session. It’s better to clean many records in bulk in one sitting rather than cleaning individual ones sporadically. This way, you save on cleaning solution and time.

The best way to clean vinyl records

The techniques in this section involve relatively costly equipment, so they won’t be suitable for all record collectors.

However, if you’re looking for how to clean vinyl records in the best way possible, the below methods deliver the best results for your vinyl collection.

Method 1: Record cleaning machines

Record cleaning machines are widely regarded as one of the best strategies for cleaning your vinyl record collection. They are one of the quickest, safest, and easiest methods to deep clean vinyl records. If you have a large collection and want to maximize sound quality, a cleaning machine could be a wise investment.

You can find various vinyl record cleaning machines, from entry-level to professional. They can cost a fair bit of cash, although you can pick up some decent basic models for around $300-500.

Here are some top picks:

• Pro-Ject VC-S3 Cleaning Machine
• Pro-Ject VC-E2 Cleaning Machine (smaller version of above and the one I own myself)

Typically they use a rotating system of fluids, brushes, and a vacuum to loosen and remove dirt.

Here are the steps typically required to use these machines.

1. Fill the machine with specified fluids
2. Load the record onto the machine
3. Apply cleaning fluid with a brush across the whole record surface
4. Move the vacuum arm into position over the record
5. Switch the machine on, activating the vacuum that extracts the dirty fluid
6. Deactivate, remove vinyl
7. Clean the machine after use.

Good to know:

1. The last step in the process also means letting the vacuum mechanism run for a while (as per the manufacturer’s instructions) to make sure the machine is completely dry inside. If you skip this step, you might end up with internal corrosion (and fine dust you don’t want on your records)!
2. These machines have a powerful motor and can deliver great results, but they get LOUD.

Method 2: Ultrasonic record cleaner

These are top-of-the-range record cleaning devices that use ultrasonic energy to deep clean records and other sensitive objects. You can find some more affordable versions, but these will cost $200+ as a minimum.

These vibrate records with ultrasound – frequencies far above the human hearing range (typically around 40kHz) to help the cleaning process. That doesn’t mean they’re silent though – they do emit a frequency you (and your pets) can definitely hear.

Here are a couple of recommended ultrasonic record cleaners:

• Humminguru (I own one of these myself and it does a SOLID job – recommended!). Although more expensive, the upgraded Humminguru v2 is also a great option to consider.
• Entry/mid-range – WEWU ROUNDS LP Cleaner
• Pro-level – iSonic P4875II+MVR10

How to use an Ultrasonic Record Cleaner

1. Prepare the machine as specified by the manufacturer.
2. Load the vinyl into the machine, typically supported on a spindle. You can usually fit more than 1 disk in.
3. Fill the tank with cleaning fluid.
4. Activate the ultrasonic component. There may be different settings for strengths.
5. The record should now rotate through the fluid whilst the ultrasound is being applied.
6. Once the cleaning is complete, remove the record.
7. Drain the fluid and clean the tank after you finish your cleaning session.

How to clean vinyl records – DIY

Lastly, there are also a few DIY fixes. These methods use common household items and other innovative/quirky tools, so they can make a quick fix, although they are far from ideal or even recommended.

You should avoid these techniques where possible. They can do more harm than good.

How to clean vinyl records with soap and water

One basic method to clean your vinyl uses good old-fashioned dish soap.

Again, if you really want to clean your vinyl, this probably isn’t the best bet. Chances are you’ll end up damaging the center record label or scratch the vinyl by sponging too hard. Rather than using dish soap directly, you can make a cleaning solution from soap and water, which you then spray, or apply to a sponge, then to the record.

Steps to clean a record with soap and water.

1. Wet the record under the tap with lukewarm water. (Avoid warm water.)
2. Apply dish soap to a soft wet sponge
3. Gently rub the entire record surface with the soapy sponge
4. Rinse the soap off with more water
5. Wipe the record dry.

Wood glue method

One method you may hear of is using wood glue to clean vinyl records. And a lot of collectors out there say they’ve tried it successfully, but it’s a method I wouldn’t attempt on any records that are remotely precious to you.

Essentially you cover the record in glue, wait for it to dry, then pull the glue off. In theory, this pulls all the dirt from deep within the groove. In practice, a lot can go wrong.

For example, if you don’t use enough, it can become a nightmare to pull off the dried layer of glue fully. Not only does it seem counterintuitive, but it can also damage records.

Using a vacuum Cleaner with Vinyl Vac

This is a budget-friendly version of record cleaning machines (that are much more expensive), but definitely not something to try on more expensive records. You basically use a vacuum cleaner attachment called Vinyl Vac to extract a wet-cleaned record (with cleaning fluid).

It’s a bit like cleaning precious jewelry with a beach towel: Clumsy and accident-prone. If you handle it with care, it may work, but even the results alone get mixed reviews.

Using sticky putty or compound

A few cleaning products are popping up under the “tech cleaning” umbrella, where vinyl record cleaning is a suggested application.

One of these products is a sticky putty/compound that is said to pick up dust but not stick to surfaces like PVC.

Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, test results from multiple users are conclusive: This makes things worse rather than better. Most likely because the compound can’t really get far into the grooves due to the texture, but also because it leaves a glittery residue on the record. Very pretty, but not what you want.

Have a look at the cringe-worthy product images for suggested use, and that should tell you enough: