How to Clean Vinyl Records Without Damaging Them

Records sound best when they're clean—here's what to use

record on a turntable

The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0-12

Cleaning vinyl records is pretty simple if you take your time and use the right supplies and tools. Fingerprints, dust, and dirt can get in the grooves, causing skips, clicks, and crackles. Gunk in the grooves can cause the needle to jump and scratch the surface.

Special record-cleaning machines make this task very easy, but they are pricey. A vinyl record cleaning kit is also handy since it comes with a velvet vinyl brush, a microfiber cloth, and a cleaning solution, giving you everything you need to clean your records effectively.

Here's how to clean vinyl records regularly using dry or wet methods so you don't hear skips, clicks, and crackles caused by dirt and dust.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Soft microfiber cloths
  • Carbon fiber vinyl record brush
  • Velvet vinyl cleaning brush
  • Record cleaning mat
  • Spin record wash

Materials

  • Commercial vinyl record cleaning solution

Instructions

record cleaning materials

The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham

How to Dry Clean Vinyl Records

Dry cleaning a record takes only a few minutes and removes the microscopic dust caught in the vinyl grooves. Dry clean first, then wet clean, if necessary. Use a record cleaning mat to prevent spreading dust into the components of the turntable.

  1. Dry Clean the Record

    • Place the record on the turntable and turn it on so the record is spinning.
    • Place an anti-static carbon fiber brush or velvet cleaning brush on the record surface at a 90-degree angle, starting from the outer rim.
    • Allow the record to spin a few times and move the brush inward toward the center of the record, cleaning the entire surface.
    allowing the record to spin as you clean it

    The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham

    Tip

    Take a few seconds to observe the record for signs of warping after dry cleaning (while it's spinning). Also, check for visible smudges and fingerprints that indicate a need for a deeper wet cleaning.

How to Deep Clean Vinyl Records

When a record is extremely dirty or has visible fingerprints and smudges, wet cleaning with a vinyl cleaning solution is necessary to remove the residue.

  1. Wet Clean the Record

    Place the record on a vinyl cleaning mat using the center spindle to secure the record. Do not wet clean a record on a turntable because you might damage the components.

    Removing the record from the turntable before wet cleaning it

    The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham

  2. Remove Surface Dust

    Dry clean the record with a carbon-fiber or velvet vinyl brush to remove dust.

    using a velvet brush to clean a record

    The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham

  3. Spray on Vinyl Cleaner

    • Spray on an alcohol-free commercial cleaning solution using a light touch. Do not spray near the center paper label.
    • To clean near the label, spritz some of the cleaner on a microfiber towel and wipe the area carefully.
    spraying on vinyl cleaner

    The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham

  4. Wipe Away Grime

    Wipe away the grime with a dry microfiber towel in a counter-clockwise motion following the record's grooves. Use a gentle touch, but be sure that the towel is making contact with the floor of the record.

    wiping grime off in a counter clockwise motion

    The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham

  5. Dry the Vinyl

    Use a fresh, dry microfiber cloth to dry the record. Work in the same counter-clockwise motion following the grooves.

    drying off the record with a microfiber cloth

    The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham

    Tip

    If you have an extensive collection of vinyl records that require cleaning, a spin record washer will speed up the job because it simultaneously cleans both sides.

What Not to Clean Vinyl Records With

There are almost as many "don'ts" as correct ways to clean vinyl. Using the wrong cleaning products can permanently damage the vinyl. Do not use the following items on your records:

  • Isopropyl alcohol: While alcohol will cut through the grease and grime on a vinyl record, it also removes the protective coating on the grooves and floor of the record.
  • Household cleaning products: Window sprays, dishwashing liquids, and all-purpose cleaners are too harsh for vinyl and can leave a film on the record.
  • Tap water: Even water from the best municipal systems contains minerals that can leave deposits on the vinyl.
  • Compressed air: While "canned" compressed air will blow off some surface dust, it also leaves some condensation on the vinyl. It will not remove oily residue from hands and air pollution stuck in the record's grooves.

How Often to Clean Vinyl Records

For the best sound quality, vinyl records should be dry cleaned with a carbon or velvet brush before each time they are played. Even new records fresh from the sleeve have dust that should be removed. Deeper wet cleaning should be done if fingerprints or visible dust are on the record or if you hear an unusual amount of crackling and hissing while the vinyl is playing.

Tips to Keep Your Vinyl Records Clean Longer

  • Never touch the playing surface with your hands. Use your fingertips along the outer edges when handling a record.
  • Limit the time a record is out of the protective sleeve. Do not leave records exposed to dust.
  • Use a cover on the turntable and dust the stylus often.
  • Upgrade to archival-quality inner sleeves. These sleeves are anti-static and will help prevent the vinyl from attracting dust.
  • Dry clean a record before each play and regularly do a wet cleaning to prevent excessive grime build-up.
FAQ
  • What is the best thing to clean vinyl records with?

    Microfiber cloths, velvet vinyl brushes, and a specially formulated vinyl cleaning solution are the safest ways to clean vinyl records. Use these tools gently since too much pressure can warp the delicate vinyl.

  • What household items can you use to clean vinyl records?

    Using anything other than a vinyl cleaning solution on your records is not recommended. However, to get a deeper clean using wet wiping, refrain from using household soaps and cleaners. Instead, moisten a microfiber cloth with distilled water. Avoid tap water since it contains chemicals that can leave deposits on your records.

  • Do you clean records clockwise or counterclockwise?

    You can clean a record in any direction, clockwise or counterclockwise. Both directions work. However, going counterclockwise can expose more dust and grime since it goes opposite the usual path of the needle. You can also try cleaning in both directions, trying one way first and then doing it the other way.