The Best (Affordable) Ways to Clean Your Vinyl Records | Talking About Records

[@thetruthserum2816]

Cost cutting Tip: You don't need 99% ISO just to turn around and cut it with 80% water... 80% water in 20% ISO = 80% water 70% ISO = 30% water. Cutting 70% ISO by 2.6 times water = 80% water So, 70% ISO @ 100ml + 260 ml Distilled Water = 80% water, 20% ISO. Tip 2 - warm up the cleaning fluid first - take off the pump head and microwave the bottle only. Tip 3 - rinse with warm distilled water - use a dedicate rinse bottle. Tip 4: Magnifying glass and bright light inspection. I like the table mounted magnifier lamp. Tip 5: Ultrasonic cleaner - use hearing protection since you can't even hear over 20kHZ but it's there.

[@NTXVinyl]

Solid tips!

[@paulchavez9263]

G.I. Love the videos and love the options put out there for record cleaning, and I feel that what you have demonstrated is foundational for anyone wanting to keep old and new records clean. Defiantly came here to the comments on this subject that can be controversial in the vinyl community, and it was all good info. In the off and on again years of record collecting, I have made similar comments in other vinyl channels on the same cleaning subject and that is the Hippocratic oath like a medical doctor when it comes to your records, "do no harm". We could easily talk about all of the chemicals. cleaners, etc. that you should NOT put on your records. Looking forward to dropping by a NTX shop again soon as a fellow Texan

[@NTXVinyl]

Cheers my friend! No more physical NTX locations but you can shop with us on our website or live on Whatnot (weekly)

[@brunohebert1351]

For Ultrasonic cleaning, for any used record, do a hand wash first! Especially if there are fingerprints or any type of oil stain or greasy stuff on it, the ultrasonic bath will not get rid of those. A little fan set sideways of the drying rack does wonders speeding the drying process (low setting) Yes, you could say you're blowing dust particles to your wet records but if the room is relatively clean it should be ok. I think it's worth it compared to letting dust particle land on your wet records for the 20 ish minutes it will require to dry off. For hand wash, I don't use alcohol. I could use Dawn but I prefer using a clear body wash-shampoo-conditioner. The conditioner part is key as it will help with static. Always rinse with distilled water after wash. I use a paint edging pad to apply (gently, just let it glide on it, make sure it's wet) the body wash to the record. back and forth several time on each side. Don't want to deal with any of this, cleaning solution too pricey etc, just a rinse in the kitchen sink, going around the surface with the spray function will do wonders... You'll still need a drying rack to properly dry the records.. Some people are just happy with a cleaning solution and a good record brush... But you need to make sure you clean that brush afterwards. In the end whatever float your boat but if you're willing to experiment, there are great cleaning methods for little investment Finally, if a record is really crackly even after wash, try to play it wet. Yes you heard right. (just one side wet at a time, you don't want to damage your platter/mat etc) but it can do wonders on those crackles, at least tone it down quite a bit.

[@bluebussdriver]

VinylVac! Followed by an ultrasonic. I use the HumminGuru.

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I second the VinylVac. It is THE cheapest and one of the most effective ways to clean records. If you don’t want to spend over $100 get a VinylVac.

[@je830]

The VinylVac is very cumbersome to use.

[@DreamstoRealityAutomotiveTV]

50 Celsius seems a little high, I set mine to 29, as per told by a record store owner who recommended that, not sure what’s right or wrong. 1 other thing is the vevor does a better job if you only do 2 or 3 records at a time, having space between the record works more thorough, in my experience

[@ryanehlert]

Your shirts for your company are awesome!! Do you make those yourself or do you hire a company that does those for you?

[@ryanehlert]

And do you sell them? If so, how can I get one?

[@itsallgood78735]

The manual washer is a Vinyl Styl Deep Groove Record Washer System

[@NTXVinyl]

Ah I didn’t realize! Actually barely remembered I even had it. Same basic idea as the Spin Clean I believe

[@neilbruce4201]

I use the Spincare wash kit and give the discs a wipe down with a cloth but feel it can add static to the records? Have you found this to be the case?

[@JimsRockShots]

If I use this mixture in my spin clean, do I need to rinse it afterwards or just wipe it dry?

[@NTXVinyl]

Just wipe dry

[@JimsRockShots]

@NTXVinyl Thank you

[@sloppystack]

Question on the micro cloth manual method... have been doing this for some months and always finding the cloth (i've used a couple different brands) leave fibers in the grooves after cleaning. The fibers will accumulate on the needle when playing, sometimes to the point of causing the needle to jump. Usually takes 2-3 spins on a side to get all the fiber out. Never heard this addressed in any videos about cleaning, so maybe it's the brand of cloth & i've been unlucky? It was also suggested to me that it is lint accumulation from washing and drying the cloths. Either way, is this something you've encountered and what are the risks, what's the best fix?

[@NTXVinyl]

I've never had this issue

[@brunohebert1351]

You really need to get a reputable brand of micro fiber cloth to begin with. Also, have you tried to wash the cloth before using it? it might getting rid of that extra loose fibers so they don't end up on the records. (just let them air dry. don't put them in the dryer) I don't use this method but I use those to remove the excess water after hand water before drying, I don't wipe the record with it, just tap the spots with excess water so I don't have any friction applied to the record. Good luck

[@bradleykay]

Don’t put Dawn on your records unless you have a way to thoroughly clean it off with distilled water afterward.

[@NTXVinyl]

Been doing it for years and have zero issues. It’s a couple drops, extremely diluted. Was very nervous initially to try a homemade solution but it works great.

[@dboy6896]

I just use the Triton 100 in place of Dawn. Its the same purpose, and I think, hope, it has less residual left over. Oh, I only use a few drops of Triton in the US cleaning bath too. You know when it's enough when the record stays coated properly as it rotates Less is more... more clean and more $ in your pocket!!

[@je830]

@@NTXVinyl You're leaving a film on the record by applying soap. You always want a distilled water rinse after using chemicals.

[@NTXVinyl]

@@je830 it's literally a couple drops amongst an entire gallon of water. I assure there is no film left, otherwise I wouldn't be doing it.

[@je830]

@@NTXVinyl It wouldn't be visible. Check out videos on the Kirmuss process.

[@christopherklinck]

I’ve got a Record Doctor X, which I find works quite well. Prior to this, like you, I was using a spin clean or groove washer. Record Doctor also still sells either the “V” or “VI” (I can’t remember which bc they jumped from one of those to the “x”). The previous model is significantly cheaper, but does require that you manually turn the record via the clamp, whereas the X has a motor to spin the record in both directions.

[@danmartinez5502]

Never use alcohol,never use soap . Ultrasonic is the best if by hand Laser Media is the best record spray, Mofi pad and Ultra Micro Fiber.

[@NTXVinyl]

Works great. Been using these methods for years. But do whatever works for you

[@je830]

Correct.

[@mr.jazzfusionhiphop1298]

Back in the day we used a old white sock and some isopropyl alcohol, problem solved. Why is so complicated now since the so called vinyl resurgence 🤔

[@NTXVinyl]

I don’t think it is complicated. Just some options to help with efficiency if you have lots of LPs to clean

[@je830]

No, do not use Dawn to clean records. Yes, the Dawn will aid in visually cleaning a record, but it will leave behind a film/chemical on the record that will negatively veil the sound of the record.

[@NTXVinyl]

No film here, been doing it for years. It’s a couple drops