EXPOSED: Are These Record Cleaning Kits Worth It? Testing 8 Bundles!

I tested eight popular vinyl record cleaning kits to see which one had the best design from a usability viewpoint and record cleaning ability. The results were quite surprising, with a clear winner.
Disclaimer: GrooveWasher is a sponsor of Sound Matters -- each kit stands on its own merits and disadvantages.
Resources & Links: (AAL = Amazon Affliliate Link):
_____________________________________________________________________
GrooveWasher (AAL): geni.us/groovewasher
Music Nomad (AAL): amzn.to/3PQ7pkD
Eveo (AAL): geni.us/eveo-record
Collector Protector (AAL): geni.us/collector-protector
Big Fudge (AAL): geni.us/big-fudge
Vinyl Buddy (AAL): geni.us/vinyl-buddy
Vinyl Styl (AAL): geni.us/vinyl-styl
_____________________________________________________________________
Partner/Sponsor Discounts:
GrooveWasher Record Cleaning (Use code: SOUNDMATTERS10 for 10% Off)
www.groovewasher.com/
Twelve Inch Record Displays (Use code: SOUNDMATTERS10 for 10% Off)
twelve-inch.com/
VSS Record Sleeves: (Use code SOUNDMATTERS10 on checkout):
vinylstoragesolutions.ca/soun...
Vinyl Pursuit - Vintage Vinyl Online: (Use code SOUNDMATTERS15):
vinylpursuit.com/
Vinyl Moon - Record Subscription (SOUNDMATTERS10)
vinylmoon.co/
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#vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #audiophile #vinyl #hifi

[@soundmatters]

Thanks for watching! Do drop your comments and questions below. If you'd like to support the channel, check the video description for many DISCOUNT CODES codes to enjoy money off various products to feed your vinyl habit! (I earn a small commission - no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

[@tomvincent7167]

This is a fantastic video Mark! I have an original Discwasher brush (walnut with black velvet pad)/Discwasher D3 fluid (prior to D4, dates itself)/small brush to clean the velvet pad/instructions on how to use, that I bought around 1978, still works great, and is a classic. It has a Discwasher/arrow on on end to indicate direction of fibers for proper usage. Currently using the Groovewasher fluid with the Discwasher, as the D4 fluid is discontinued. Also have the Discwasher SC2 stylus cleaner/SC-2 stylus cleaning fluid which has a brush on one side and a mirror on the other, comes attached in a walnut holder. This is all that I used to clean my records until last year when I bought a Vinyl Styl (like a Spin Clean) record washer system). I use the Spin Clean to clean before storing the record, and the Discwasher brush before I play the records. If you look on KZbin there are videos which show how to properly use the velvet brush, rotating from front (arrow faces) of pad to rear as the record is rotated. Really enjoy watching your videos, thanks!!

[@soundmatters]

Thanks so much for your kind words Tom. I did hear somewhere that the old Discwasher was directional - interesting. That stylus brush is new to me though. Cool walnut handle! Happy listening :)

[@paulguy5368]

Like you, I have used Discwasher since the mid 70s and also have the stylus cleaner brush (which is also a thing of beauty). When the last lot of fluid ran out I was wondering what to get as a replacement. Your comments about using the Groove Washer fluid with the Discwasher brush convinced me to go down that path. Thanks!

[@phill_strange_media_1980]

Great informative video! I picked up a 'Hama' vinyl cleaning kit a few weeks ago, cones with a curved velvet brush & cleaning fluid and to date it seems to work very well.

[@soundmatters]

Thanks for watching and for your comment. I think that was one of the first kits I picked up back in the day.

[@artprince9163]

Thanks for the info. I had a Discwasher system back in the 70s-80s and no longer have the brush but I do have some solution. Think I will go with the groovewasher!

[@soundmatters]

Thanks for watching. Enjoy the music!

[@surf01er66]

Groove Washer has been around forever. Congratulations !!! I have been using KAIU for for awhile, , seems good for quick clean. Disc Doctor for deep clean . Lots of distilled water to rinse , micro fiber cloth....? Yup, still didn't buy the degritter yet. Great vlog !!!!

[@paulguy5368]

Great video. I enjoyed every minute of it (so much so that I just subscribed).

[@soundmatters]

Thanks for watching and subscribing. Enjoy the music 🎶

[@dhala54]

With all due respect, a tiny bit of isopropyl alcohol in distilled water has never hurt my vinyl albums at all. Usually I just use the distilled water, but to my knowledge there has never been any information that a bit of alcohol harms a record.

[@Peterrdee]

It’s just plastic I doubt most things are gonna destroy it, these plastics don’t break down easily

[@pnichols6500]

If you want a pretty thorough coverage on cleaning with alcohol, check out the Audiofile Man's channel. Bottom line after actually visiting multiple vinyl manufacturers, and indepth studies has concluded that there is no adverse effects and great benefit to using a proper ratio of alcohol to distilled water. He does a surfactant/water, then alcohol/water and finish with a distilled water rinse.

[@thomas_n_OH]

Still using my Discwasher kit from the 70’s. Using the One Cleaning Solution from MoFi. Will be checking out GrooveWasher next time I’m looking for a replacement.

[@jimhunsberger263]

Thanks for the helpful reviews. You are spot on with the difficulty in finding quality cleaning options via the web. I had difficulty finding quality options in my quest to “upgrade or resurrect” my Discwasher D3 cleaning system (purchased in 1978). Unfortunately I think the effective cleaning ability of those 45 year old well used cleaning pad fibers have passed their serviceable lifespan. The brush has not been able to effectively restore the “loft” on the cleaning pad for quite some time now. A sign of many decades of use I reckon. As such, I’m going to give your recommended Groove Washer a go, so thanks for sharing your findings. And, as a new subscriber, and a very limited follower of content providers in general - I am looking forward to catching up on your past posts, and following along with your new posts going forward. Thanks for doing.

[@soundmatters]

Thanks for watching! I hope the GrooveWasher kit serves you well. Happy listening

[@metilaful]

If I had to pick a pad, I would choose the velvet. You can get a package of microfiber towels for pennies.

[@bacarandii]

If you look at where the stylus is attached to the cantilever on your cartridge, the stylus tip itself is about the depth or a fingerprint, so I don't think you'd want a brush that had bristles spaded any farther apart than the grooves in a microgroove record. I've made my own washing fluid (from distilled water and Triton X surfactant -- sometimes with a few drops of alcohol) but, in my ultrasonic cleaner I like the concentrated GrooveWasher G2 fluid best (10 drops per gallon of distilled water) for cleaning power, convenience, and no detectable residue after drying.

[@Bondrkmz]

What microfiber brush do you recommend? Unless I’m missing something, it doesn’t appear that Groove Washer sells one. I’m currently using the one from the Vinyl Buddy kit. Seems like it’s alright, but would like to know how it stands up against the others. Thanks, love the channel.

[@soundmatters]

The standard GrooveWasher pad is a microfibre towel, but I think you might mean a finer finishing version? If so, those are great for finishing and polishing a surface, but less good at absorbing the fluid, which is what you want when finishing a record. Hope this helps. Any other questions, so let me know 🎶🎧

[@Bondrkmz]

@@soundmatters when I said microfiber brush I’m meaning the smaller one that is used to remove light dust or lint prior to playing the record. Not the standard, bigger brush used to clean with liquid. I don’t believe Groove Washer sells those and was wondering which one of them you recommend. Thanks.

[@garylough6893]

I use groovewasher kit with all4 pads 2 microfiber and stylus brush. But also have a discwasher and sc2 stylus brush. My question is i heard there was a cover for the groovewasher block to keep dust off but cannot sorce it out . I really would appreciate any info on it . I live in canada and have not seen it.

[@soundmatters]

The cover is out of production at the moment. They're always working on new products though, so perhaps we'll see a new version in the future. Hope this helps

[@markpocock183]

Thanks for this video, I think you did a very fair evaluation. I still use my diskwasher for a light touchup before every play, but for deeper cleaning use a vacuum system followed by Humminguru ultrasonic.

[@soundmatters]

Thanks Mark. Appreciate the kind words. I think a vac followed by ultrasonic is a great method 🎶🎧

[@thatdudeACES]

I wish i saw this video first lol i just got the boundless kit, im going to keep using it till its done then switch to the groove

[@chadergeist]

I don't know about using a microfiber towel. I'm afraid of them leaving very light scratches on the record...especially in the lead in and lead out grooves areas.

[@jeffschotland9847]

My complaint about Groove washer is the pad is not flat so you have to rock it back and forth as you're cleaning. I currently use the G2 Fluid with a great condition old DiscWasher ( Had since the 1980's) That pad is very flat and the bristles are directional. I still use a Groove washer to dry the albums as the DiscWasher pad is not absorbent.

[@leononle478]

The shape of the pad is meant to be round and to be slowly swiveled in one direction, towards the oncoming rotation, to gradually lift the dirt and contaminants out of the grooves. A flat pad would not do this. It would just keep moving the dirt and contaminants around in the grooves without lifting and removing them. The Discwasher is the best brush as it has a nap to it that you need if you want the bristles to lift the contaminants out of the grooves.

[@jeffschotland9847]

I am saying the length measurement of a Discwasher is flatter than the groove washer. @@leononle478

[@JudgeDrokk]

Is there a good stylus brush on the market ? Setting up a new turntable up in October and looking for something good from the start.. So much plastic OEM rubbish around.

[@soundmatters]

Thanks for your question. I use the GrooveWasher stylus brush. I know that might sound bias, but compared to all the options in this video it is far FAR safer. The angle helps get under the stylus and the brush fibers are soft and not dense enough to push the cantilever in anyway that might damage it. Unlike so many of the OEM brushes. Link below: discount code in the description of you'd like to support the channel. Thanks for watching and happy spinning. www.groovewasher.com/collections/groovewasher/products/sc1-stylus-cleaning-kit

[@JudgeDrokk]

@@soundmatters That looks better than all the rest I've seen - and I've looked at every single one on Amazon. The included cleaning solution, I've seen some can be quite harsh and should only be used on rare ocasions - plus you mentioned some smelling akin to nail varnish remover.. is the Groove-Washer gentle? Thanks!

[@soundmatters]

@@JudgeDrokk - yep - one of them smelt pretty bad! The GrooveWasher one I've been using for years - very gentle. No huge alcohol smell at all. Why use a sledgehammer to kill a fly!? 🎶

[@torontosean]

With Nomad, I spray fluid onto the brush not the record

[@soundmatters]

In fairness, I think that’s how they intended it to be used. I just don’t find that’s enough to do anything other than surface level, but perhaps that’s all they intended with it. The fluid seems solid 🎶🎧

[@Mister_Portal_USMC]

I use all music nomad product for my guitar care products. They make great stuff. Good video. Going to have to check out the Groove Washer now. But I just got a couple hundred old vinyls that the previous owner did not take good care of at all so I might have to get an industrial washer for some of them. Been looking at the Happybuy Ultrasonic Cleaner 6L Ultrasonic Vinyl Cleaner. Had a buddy who owns a record store and another friend who works at one both recommend it.

[@7JANEWAY]

It would be a great service if you’d do a video on record cleaning solutions that don’t have alcohol in them. I am in the camp that says you don’t need alcohol to clean your records, and besides, the less ingredients used on your vinyl records, the better. Thanks!!!

[@dhala54]

That is just a matter of opinion.

[@7JANEWAY]

@@dhala54 It’s still a valid request.

[@Jewellerybybarrie]

All of them need something to break the surface tension. If its not alcohol then it will a detergent or even something harsher. At least with alcohol it will evaporate as you wipe it around allowing the other ingredients to do the cleaning. Water alone is a waste of time.. But yep I would like to see a vid actually showing how good the solutions are. Not just a comparison of the bottles..

[@7JANEWAY]

@@Jewellerybybarrie This is why they use solutions like Tergikleen, that breaks the surface tension, and cleans just as well without alcohol. I have a Spin Clean. I like the Spin Clean solution, and it doesn’t have a drop of alcohol in it. Bottom line: even with alcohol, you need to thoroughly rinse your records before playing, for best results. You can play your record right after you use alcohol, but there’s no need for it. As I said earlier: the less ingredients used on your vinyl records, the better.

[@Jewellerybybarrie]

Interesting video as Im trying to decide which kit I want to buy to prolong the life of my records, bearing in mind most of them are at least 45 years old and have been played on cheap decks over the years. I doubt any of them are in pristine condition. However, Im still confused as you didnt actually give any details of the ability of each kit to actually clean records. Ok the cheaper ones all come with a velvet brush, are they are a bad thing? Do they actually clean the record? To be honest I dont care if the brush i have, has a plastic handle or a gold one. Can it clean the record that should have been important. I like your videos but you spent far longer talking about the wooden handle on the brush of the sponsors kit than anything else. Sorry if this is a little harsh. BUT you have convinced me that NO KIT available is the right choice. I think I will be looking into making my own kit from separate parts. I can then get the best fluid available and then a series of brushes and microfibre cloths. As to alcohol levels, some is always required to both break the surface tension of the other liquids and to loosen the particles in the groove. Water alone cannot clean anything properly. Keep up the good work as your videos are usually top notch, just think you fumbled the ball with this one. (not that I could do any better)

[@soundmatters]

Sorry if that wasn't clear. It's always a difficult one when it comes to sponsors; I have to be transparent about that of course, but there will always be people who are put off by that. In terms of which kit cleans records better... there are many factors that come in to play. None of the other kit makers (with the exception of Music Nomad) actually make their own record-cleaning fluid. They're basically just sourcing parts OEM from the far east and packaging them up nicely. In many cases, it seems like these kits are either very high in alcohol content (Vinyl Styl) or basically just distilled water. Both of which aren't very effective at cleaning records. The GrooveWasher stuff is much more expertly put together using laboratory-grade ingredients (something I'm sure the other producers couldn't lay claim to). In terms of the brushes, most of the other kits are a velvet brush, which is good at scrubbing the groove a little and spreading the record cleaning fluid around, but very poor at absorbing the fluid and taking it off the record surface, meaning you're just spreading muck around. Microfiber towels are better at absorption, which is why I recommend using GrooveWasher's black magic velvet pad first, followed by the normal microfiber version to soak everything up. At the end of the day, there's only one kit on this list that I actually use personally on my records. The others I'm happy to throw away. My preferred approach to record cleaning when cleaning very dirty records is a quick pre-clean with GrooveWasher first, then a cycle through an ultrasonic record cleaning machine. The pre-clean helps loosen everything up and the ultrasonic does the hard work in the grooves. Compiling your own kit is one way to go, for sure, just be sure you're confident in the quality of the ingredients you use and avoid using too much ISO alcohol. Thanks for watching my videos and I hope this comment goes some way to better answering anything I missed in the video. Any other questions, just let me know. Happy listening

[@skellexis404]

Can I use the smooth towel that comes with sunglasses or screen protector as a drying towel?

[@soundmatters]

If it's clean, sure. But in my experience, they aren't very absorbent. Hope this helps!

[@skellexis404]

@@soundmatters i’ll probably just buy new microfiber towels. I have cats so it’s hard to find anything absorbent that isn’t covered in cat hair even after washing

[@joshmaier18]

What do you think of the brand Vinyl supply Co. on Amazon?

[@soundmatters]

Looks like another company sourcing OEM from China. I’m sure the products are ok, but they’re not making their own as such.

[@MylesC1234]

Do you want your pad to absorb the liquid? I figured its whole purpose was more to spread the liquid to alow it to get in the grooves and slowly absorb.

[@soundmatters]

Eventually, yes. Of course you want the fluid to spread, but if you don’t eventually take the fluid away you’re just spreading stuff around

[@tadleach]

Where did you get the pad you place the LP on to clean it?

[@soundmatters]

GrooveWasher. There's a link and discount code in the video description. They call it the "Big G" cleaning mat.

[@gregtapevideo1464]

Interesting. I always spray the cleaner on my pad and sweep up the dust that my brush loosened up. Is this wrong?

[@soundmatters]

I don’t personally find this as effective. It seems this would leave the fluid with no real time to work on breaking down contaminants and holding them in suspension before being mopped up. But hey! If it’s working for you?

[@donwest5387]

Hi; I use a product called L.A.S.T.; it is a cleaner/friction-reducing treatment which preserves records and makes them quieter

[@djboogieboy]

Water and alcohol and a soft rag and your good to go.been doing it for over 30 yrs and every other Dj on planet does it as well!🤷

[@OpenYourMind80]

Guess he's never of Vinyl Juice, thats stuff cleans like a dream if you can get any

[@biggstile]

The reason I don't like any of these type of wand cleaning kits is because you need to regularly clean the surface of your wand because otherwise you're just putting dirt back on your record every single time.

[@Fast402]

I was hoping for some insight into how effectively each kit would reduce noise levels in my older but unscratched records. I also could care less whether the handle is pine, plastic or walnut because it doesn't matter. Nice video but it just seemed like a commercial for the sponsored product.

[@soundmatters]

The trouble with the other kits handles is less about the material quality and more about the design. A) The velvet material on the other kits is good for spreading fluid around, but not so good for absorbing the fluid, which is what you want to do when cleaning by hand unless you want to simply spread stuff around. B) The fact you can't remove the cleaning pad from the handle on the Big Fudge kit, or even the Boundless Audio model means they are much more "throw away" as products. Regardless of whether GrooveWasher sponsored or not, I would still use their products.

[@Fast402]

Thanks for your reply. @@soundmatters

[@jkobquick]

So I'm just getting into vinyl & catch myself enjoying your videos more often then a few other but can we get you to back up the cam & drop it down a tad . This high post blog style is off

[@soundmatters]

Hey! Firstly, thanks for watching and welcome to the hobby. Thanks also for the feedback. In my very small room, the camera position is quite tricky. I recently changed my lens which has helped a little, but if I can it up any further, it will hit the wall. I'll have a play with the height though. Enjoy the music!

[@leononle478]

Is your record collection precious to you? Is it worth being protected in the best possible way? Then the most effective way to protect your vinyl is to use a record cleaning machine, which uses suction to collect dirt, hair, and grime from its grooves. Record cleaning machines get deeper than a vinyl cleaning cloth or brush, which are better tools for after you spin an LP. They’re an investment, but record cleaning machines are worth it if you plan on keeping your record collection pristine.

[@soundmatters]

Yes, absolutely. I've got videos on this too. Aiming to cover all budgets. Thanks for watching and happy spinning

[@sageata_verde]

4/1 distiled watter and ipa and thats alkl you need the rest are just shitty money grab

[@plumicon]

Actually, nail polish is acetone not isopropyl... jus sayin'. No sisters, eh?

[@soundmatters]

Still stinks 😂🎶🎧no sisters. Two daughters though.

[@roywatling3856]

They dont ship to UK, what a waste of time

[@soundmatters]

You can get some from Juno Records. Hope this helps. Enjoy the music 🎶

[@roywatling3856]

@@soundmattershave done so already, :) items on the way, but they dont sell what I wanted and that is the very thing you had on your vlog the Walnut record cleaning kit :( And why dont you link Juno Records, since I assume your are English and living in UK that you direct us to a site/company that dont export to the UK, only via Juno. Doesnt make sense.

[@soundmatters]

Because I have more subscribers in the US than the U.K. and my partnership is with GrooveWasher directly. That and stock levels at Juno, as you’ve noticed, are not exactly reliable. Eventually there might be an offer exclusive to those in the U.K., but for the moment that doesn’t exist I’m afraid. GrooveWasher are looking to stock more on Amazon in the U.K., so that may improve availability in the future.

[@user-qk4ot1hd1y]

Basically don't be lazy.

[@sageata_verde]

wHY WOULD I PAY MORE FOR SOMETHING THAT ! IS USELES AND B I CAN MAKE MYSELSELF...WHO TF CARES WHERE ITS MADE...ITS ABOUT THE AUDIO. IF YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT THESE THINGS THEN LET ME REMIND YOU THAT THE BEST PRESSINGS ARE MADE IN EUREOPE BECAUSE ITS THE ONLY PLKACE IN THE WORLD WHERE VINYL EXISTED EVERYTIME!

[@sageata_verde]

You use ann ultrasonic cleaning brand is you actually want to clear your record. the rest is just stupid stuff to get views