Guide
Clicks, pops and a faint background hiss are not always signs of a worn record. Very often the groove is simply dirty. Dust, fingerprints, paper fibres from old sleeves and residue from pressing all sit in the groove, where the stylus drags through them. Cleaning a record properly can make it sound noticeably quieter, and it also helps protect your stylus. Here is how to do it at every level of effort and budget.
The short answer
- Every play: a quick sweep with a carbon-fibre or anti-static brush while the record spins.
- Used or noisy records: a wet clean, either by hand with a record cleaning fluid and a microfibre pad, or with a record cleaning machine.
- Big collections: a vacuum or ultrasonic cleaning machine saves time and does a more consistent job.
- Afterwards: fresh anti-static inner sleeves, so the record stays clean.
Level 1: Dry brushing
A dry brush removes loose surface dust before it gets ground into the groove. Hold the brush lightly on the spinning record for a couple of rotations, then slowly angle it off the edge so the dust collects on the brush rather than back on the record. Brushing does not remove fingerprints or anything stuck in the groove, but it is the single habit that keeps clean records clean.
Level 2: Wet cleaning by hand
For a used record or one that sounds gritty, a wet clean is the next step. You need a record cleaning fluid (or distilled water with a few drops of a suitable surfactant), a soft brush or microfibre pad, and a clean, lint-free cloth.
- Work on a clean, flat surface with a soft mat, or use a label protector so the paper label stays dry.
- Apply a small amount of fluid and work it gently along the grooves, following their circular direction rather than scrubbing across them.
- Let the fluid sit briefly so it can loosen grime.
- Rinse with distilled water if the fluid instructions suggest it.
- Dry with a clean microfibre cloth, again following the grooves, and let the record air-dry fully in a rack before sleeving.
The weak point of hand cleaning is drying. If dirty fluid dries back into the groove, some of the grime stays behind. That is the problem cleaning machines solve.
Level 3: Vacuum record cleaning machines
Vacuum machines scrub the record with fluid and then suck the dirty fluid out of the groove with a vacuum arm, so the grime leaves with it. Dutch maker Okki Nokki, for example, builds a machine with a two-way platter and an all-in-one vacuum arm for 12-inch, 10-inch and 7-inch records. Vacuum machines are fast, effective on used records and usually cost less than ultrasonic units. They can be noisy, and you still apply the fluid and brush yourself.
Level 4: Ultrasonic cleaners
Ultrasonic cleaners immerse part of the record in a liquid bath and use high-frequency sound to create tiny bubbles that collapse against the groove walls, dislodging dirt that brushes miss. Some machines are fully automatic and dry the record too. Estonian company Degritter makes a dedicated ultrasonic record cleaning machine, and Kirmuss Audio in Colorado sells an ultrasonic record restoration system built around its own cleaning process. Ultrasonic cleaning is gentle on records and very consistent, but the machines cost more, and you need to keep the water clean and follow the maker's instructions on fluids and cycle times.
Comparing the options
| Method | Best for | Effort | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry brush | Every play, surface dust | Seconds | Low |
| Manual wet clean | A few used or noisy records | Several minutes per record | Low |
| Vacuum machine | Regular buying of used records | A minute or two per side | Medium |
| Ultrasonic cleaner | Large collections, deep cleaning | Mostly hands-off | Higher |
What not to do
- Do not use household cleaners, glass cleaner, dish soap in strong concentrations or anything with ammonia. They can leave residue or damage the vinyl.
- Do not use tap water as a final rinse; minerals can dry in the groove.
- Do not soak the label. Wet labels can wrinkle, stain or peel.
- Be careful with 78s. Shellac records need different care, and alcohol-based fluids can damage them.
- Do not put a freshly cleaned record back into a dirty sleeve. Old paper sleeves shed fibres and hold dust.
Clean the stylus too
A dirty stylus can sound just like a dirty record, and it can push grime back into the groove. Use a stylus brush, moving gently from back to front (the direction the record travels), never side to side. Cartridge and stylus makers such as Nagaoka, Audio-Technica and Ortofon publish care advice for their products, and the setup manuals collected on Vinyl Engine are useful when you need to check tracking force after swapping a cartridge.
Keep them clean afterwards
- Store records upright, not stacked flat, away from heat and direct sun.
- Use anti-static inner sleeves, and keep the original printed inner sleeve with the jacket if it matters to you.
- Handle records by the edges and label only.
- Put records back in their sleeves as soon as you finish playing them.
Buying used? Our used-gear checklist covers inspecting records and turntables, and the turntable makers guide lists record-player brands. Browse more in the Sources category.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my records?
Give records a quick dry brush before each play to lift surface dust. A deep wet clean is usually needed only once: when you buy a used record, or when a new one sounds noisy. After that, good storage keeps most records clean for a long time.
Can I clean vinyl with just water?
Distilled water is a reasonable rinse, but on its own it is weak against greasy fingerprints and mould release residue. Purpose-made record cleaning fluids include a mild surfactant to help. Avoid tap water, which can leave mineral deposits in the grooves.
Is it safe to clean records with isopropyl alcohol?
Many DIY recipes use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol diluted in distilled water, and many commercial fluids contain some alcohol. Opinions differ about strong solutions and about using alcohol on shellac 78s, which can be damaged by it. If in doubt, use a fluid made for vinyl and follow the label.
Are ultrasonic record cleaners worth it?
For large collections or lots of used records, many owners find them worth the cost because they clean deep into the groove with little effort. For a small collection of mostly new records, a good brush and a careful manual wet clean may be all you need.
Should I clean new records?
New records can carry dust, paper fibres from inner sleeves and residue from the pressing process. Many collectors clean new records once before first play and move them into anti-static inner sleeves.
Resources mentioned in this guide
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