Social Question

lucillelucillelucille's avatar

What household cleaner and method would you use to clean vinyl record albums?

Asked by lucillelucillelucille (34325points) February 5th, 2020

I need to give Stan Getz a bath. XD
Here’s a tune to enjoy while you answer.

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

16 Answers

zenvelo's avatar

I used to use a Discwasher kit (vinyl brush with cleaner liquid.).
One puts a couple of drops onto the brush, then gently rest on the LP as it spins on the turntable.

rebbel's avatar

I only ever use, and have used, my (anti-(?))static brush.
Put the record on, not the stylus yet, and loosely let the brush hover over/slightly touch the vinyl, and collect the dust.

On YouTube there’s whole debates going on about what is the best way to clean records; there are specialist (costly) machines that do the job.
But warm water, with, if necessary, a bit soap, apparently gives a good result too (if there’s more to be cleaned than just dust (think grime)).
Also I’ve seen woodglue being used (as an experiment); paint with glue, let dry, peel off (the satisfaction!).

I’m wary of clicking your sound links :-)

So, whatever you do, don’t ….

lucillelucillelucille's avatar

@zenvelo I’ve seen these kits but will not go get one.lol
@rebbel -Too bad I don’t have a scrap of velour fabric to clean the 70’s albums with. XD
The records really need to be cleaned well.I’m not too worried about the label, as long as they sound alright.

rebbel's avatar

Then I would go for the warm water, soap, and soft cloth method.
Try on an awful album of your spouse first.

lucillelucillelucille's avatar

@rebbel – I have my mom’s singing french nuns album that volunteered for the experiment.
Would you like to dance rebbel??

rebbel's avatar

Oohhh, I remember them nuns!
Without having clicked the link.

Dancing?
Always!

josie's avatar

Just like everything else but granite-vinegar and distilled water-50/50
Soft cloth, circular wipe

lucillelucillelucille's avatar

@rebbel _ I flap around a lot so try to keep up!
The nun that kind of raps in that song scared the $h!t out of me when i was a kid. Lol!

lucillelucillelucille's avatar

@josie -How long will it take you? there’s about 10 albums

rebbel's avatar

Damn, that piece of music seems to last an hour.
Boring as what.
But, nostalgia!

lucillelucillelucille's avatar

@rebbel – I know! The scary nun’s voice can last decades in one’s mind.
There are a lot of versions of that song. One for everybody!

RocketGuy's avatar

My coworker’s husband bought a small store that makes record cleaning products. The original owner was a chemist: They have gotten great reviews from high end audio magazines: https://thelastfactory.com/

seawulf575's avatar

We always used a dilute isopropyl alcohol mixture. Spray it on the album while it’s turning, and then use a brush used for cleaning albums.

Darth_Algar's avatar

Bar Keeper’s Friend with a Brillo pad should do the trick.

lucillelucillelucille's avatar

@Darth_Algar -That was a front runner.

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.
Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther