GrooveWasher: How I Clean My Vinyl Records

#vinylcommunity
#groovewasher

[@Rafma89]

Cool! Thank you!

[@astolatpere11]

People who complain about people cleaning lps ussually start off with "never cleaned records back in the day", and "just play the records and don't sweat the dirt", or "your stylus cleans the record". Records I own are mostly over 40 years old and I hate to think what's accumulated in the grooves. I use a ultrasonic cleaner and like you my lps look very clean but after cleaning 15 to 20 lps there is a visible accumulation of white detritus on the bottom of the tank and the water is cloudy. By the way, I use GrooveWasher sonic G in the tank and preclean with G2 before putiing them in the tank. Very happy with the results.

[@vikingbrace]

I used to see these videos a lot about cleaning but this is the first one in awhile. This one is simple and direct. I clean my pretty the exact same way except mine is Big Fudge. I buy a lot of used records so I definitely get my money’s worth out of my cleaning kit. Great job Chris!

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

They called me Big Fudge in college.

[@vikingbrace]

@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed I’m not sure how to reply to this 😂

[@GRockVC]

Handy video. It's always interesting to see other people's methods of cleaning. An important but sometimes overlooked part of playing records.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

GrooveWasher is a great little cleaner.

[@elliottcrews4997]

That's an interesting approach, makes sense for records that are already clean and need a touch up. For many years starting in the 1970s I used a similar brush. I forget what it was called. Before I played a record but after I had put it on the turntable I would put two or three drops along the edge of the brush and with the TT spinning apply it and then rotate the brush to the dry part and go over it a couple of spins. I was consistent with this routine and even though back then I didn't clean my records like we do today, it seems to have kept that old original collection in great shape. I might have to look into getting GrooveWasher as an "after a deep cleaning" way to maintain the collection. Thanks for doing this one my friend, very good information.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Thanks for watching Elliott. I think that older brush was called the Discwasher.

[@RandallWeaver]

Nice demonstration Chris. You use groovewasher the same way I do - for records that are already basically pretty clean. My version of groovewasher (got it a year or two ago) came with a micro-fiber cloth instead of the brush, but the fluid and label protector appear to be the same. Cool storage box. I didn't get the box. I also use Orbitrac sometimes, or the Discwasher D3 system that I got in 1987. They all work well. Thanks for the demo!

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Thanks for watching, Randall. I’ve heard a lot of good things about that older Discwasher system too.

[@mistery-ed7900]

I'm very very old school. I use warm water trickling from the faucet and lightly run my fingers over the grooves, making sure I don't get the label wet. Before every playing I use a brush. Yesterday I had a skipping CD. I used the water method and it played perfect.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

It’s good to be old school!!!! Wave the flag!

[@aaronmuthaalamare4165]

Cool technique ! Great video👍👍🤘

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

It seems to work well. Thanks, Aaron!

[@happyhippythevinylguy]

I usually just use my homemade mix and a paint edger of course I have it on a flat surface with a microfiber cloth under it. I also have a record spinner and a record vac if they're really nasty. It's been a minute since I saw a video on cleaning records! Good job man

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Thanks, Rod!

[@georgealanlpsandcds9311]

I had been using using a two step system - spraying on a cleaner and wiping them and them spraying on distilled water but gave that up to use Vinyl Wipes. I realized that I really wasn't buying really dirty records anymore so I didn't need a deep cleaning system. Vinyl Wipes do a nice quick clean of two to three records and just through them away. They are not that expensive and do a great job. Nice demonstration Chris - love that album - one of my all time favorites :)

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

I’m interested in those Vinyl Wipes. You should do a video!

[@dbodione328]

Good video Chris. I need to pick up some a Groove Washer. Really like the case as well. I have been using a product called Gruv Glide which I don't see in the VC very often. I like it and seems to do a nice job.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

You won’t be disappointed with GrooveWasher. Happy spinning!

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

Great idea for a video

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Thanks, JC!

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

I love my groove washer bro

[@PetesCDVinylWorld]

I use the same type of brush to clean it picks up all the dust. After I play an album I just got, I brush it again and the remaining dust comes up I guess from the stylus going through the grooves

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Ooooo…that’s a good idea. Thanks, Pete!

[@jimb-dallas4349]

Doesn’t appear that GrooveWasher offers the case like yours to store everything in, just the wooden block to support them. Without a cover to protect the items from dust accumulation, it kind of becomes part of the problem it is trying to solve. The original DiscWasher had a cover for their block to store and protect their system. I hope GrooveWasher will offer the case like you have again or at least provide a cover for the Mondo Kit. If they just made the box it came in a lift off lid it could be effective for no additional cost beyond the packaging. Good products, but missing an obvious detail.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

I didn’t realize that they didn’t make the storage box anymore. Hopefully they bring it back!

[@Rustoleum7777]

Thank you for this video. I have a few questions. With new vinyl hittijng $30 or more, I am leery of spraying fluids onto the surface. How do we know what's in the fluid, how do we know it's safe for the surface and how do we know it doesn't accumulate in the grooves or on the stylus? Has anyone conducted an independent scientific analyis? Another issue, after you've cleaned one side, you then place it down on the mat which just had the other side of the dirty record in direct contact with it. Doesn't that defeat the purpose? Thanks again.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Thanks, Russell. Everyone has their own way of cleaning records, adapting to their own needs. I don’t think there is one right way!

[@GlenKellawayfromthebasement]

Very cool Chris..I notice you don’t use any distilled water as a second wash to dilute the chemical wash..I have a Squeaky Clean system which is quite easy and user friendly as well…But for a quick clean I am going to look into this product..thank you..glen

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

We all have our unique and different ways that we clean records. I love to hear about all of them. Take care, Glen!

[@GlenKellawayfromthebasement]

@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed you were just making me reconsider if I need to do a second wash..I may be wasting my time..????

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

I do not with either my RCM or GrooveWasher. There are no harsh chemicals to wash off.

[@GlenKellawayfromthebasement]

I use a homemade mixture of four parts distilled water and one part Isopropyl alcohol..You convinced me to change my ways..thanks..❤️❤️👍👍glen

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

@@GlenKellawayfromthebasement I’m sure your method is fine too. Whatever works. It’s unique to each person😊😊😊

[@memyselfmyvinyl894]

I wish my kit had a label protector. Mine isn't a Groove Washer. My cleaning method is essentially the same.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

You could probably make one easily.😊

[@memyselfmyvinyl894]

@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed yeah as I hit send on my message I thought to myself "just make one dummy."

[@codyknoxable]

Looks like a good system. I could use a faster system than my Vinyl Styl wet wash. This takes care of new record static, I assume? I’d be interested in seeing a demo of your plug in system!

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Just search Nitty Gritty Chris Propfe.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

It does take care of static yes!

[@codyknoxable]

@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed Cool, watching now - thanks!

[@Shawn_the_GREAT]

I clean my records, by scratching a diamond stylus across them, if there is enough dirt to amass on the diamond I will take two seconds to brush that off, that’s about the extent of it. I think a lot of the cleaning is a bunch of snake oil, I never heard of anybody cleaning “ records” in the 70s 80s or 90s, post 2000 seems all the people love to clean their vinyl

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Lol….I think a lot of people feel the way you do.

[@dhala54]

You never heard of anyone cleaning records? Where have you been? Discwasher was around in the '70's It 100% improves a lot of vinyl.

[@peterrech2307]

The GrooveWasher is very good, but I still have an original DiscWasher D4+ with directional pad material that I use with my own fluid . I find the DW works better mainly I think due to its directionality. However it is no longer available of course. The new DiscWasher that is available ids not worth it since it is made in China and very inferior. One thing these kind of brushes and a SpinClean unit as well as your Nitty Gritty is to clean the pads very regularly because you can get small grit stuck in the pad which will scratch and damage the grooves. I also use the VinylStyl tank unit because it has better brushes but never use their fluid, it leaves residue (i use a spinclean type fluid). And for used and new records I buy for a first clean i use an 80khz ultrasonic cleaner. Everyone has their own preferred methodology, I wont criticize anyone else's methods, i only express my results with what i have used, which over 45 yrs is a lot of different things....... Enjoy the music

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Thank you for sharing, Peter!

[@peterrech2307]

@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed YW. I get obsessive about clean records

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

@@peterrech2307 me too!

[@icollectstuff-vinylcommuni7294]

i only use water lol

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

That’s ok too!

[@lauher21]

Can you use brush for dry cleaning?

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Depends on the brush.