Home Cleaning How to Clean Vinyl Records Safely Keep your record collection in perfect condition with these cleaning and maintenance steps. By Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette has over four decades of experience and has been writing and consulting for more than 20 years sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, stain removal methods, and textile conservation. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 14, 2023 In This Article View All In This Article Frequency Cosniderations How to Clean Vinyl Records More Tips Every vinyl record collector appreciates the distinct sound of the record as it spins on a turntable. Scratches mar that sound and so do dust, grime, and oils from fingerprints. Removing dust and dirt regularly will help prevent scratches and improve the sound as the stylus moves through the grooves (which means less annoying skipping). You only need a few minutes and some simple supplies for a clearer, stronger sound and a longer-lasting vinyl record. Follow along below to learn how to clean vinyl records safely. How to Clean Almost Anything: An A-to-Z Guide How Often to Clean Vinyl Records Take a few seconds to inspect the surface before you play a record. If it is dusty or shows fingerprints, it should be cleaned before you play it or put it back in the protective sleeve. Another clear sign that a record needs to be cleaned is if it sounds fuzzy or crackles. Records that are played frequently should be cleaned at least four times a year or more often if grime is visible. Prevent the build-up of dust by gently wiping each record with an anti-static brush or cloth before and after each time it is played. Oscar Sánchez Photography/Getty Images Considerations Before You Begin Almost as important as what you use to clean a vinyl record is what you should never use. The use of any of these harsh cleaners will permanently damage your records: Paper towels and tissues leave behind lint in the vinyl grooves and some paper towel fibers are so stiff they can leave scratches.Tap water contains minerals and contaminants that can build up in the grooves. Only use distilled water to clean a vinyl record.Skip any solvent-based cleaners that contain a high level of alcohol, ammonia, or acetone that will degrade sound quality.Avoid bath products and household cleaners, even mild ones like dishwashing liquid, shampoo, and liquid soaps that leave a residue in the record grooves.Never use an abrasive scrubber like a kitchen sponge, steel wool, or stiff-bristled brushes, because they can cause scratches and record skips.Air-in-a-can may seem like a good way to get rid of dust but pressurized air can push grit and dust deeper into the groves and damage the surface of the record. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Anti-static soft-bristled brush Microfiber cloths Materials Distilled water Vinyl record cleaner Isopropyl alcohol Liquid dishwasher rinse aid Instructions How to Clean Vinyl Records Wash Your Hands Wash your hands before you remove the record from the sleeve for cleaning to avoid leaving traces of body oil behind.Always handle the record by the edges. Remove the Dust Use an anti-static soft-bristled brush or a clean, lint-free microfiber cloth to get rid of the visible dust.Work in a gentle circular motion in the direction of the grooves; never from the edges toward the center!After removing the dust, hold the record so light moves across the surface to check for trapped dust and fingerprints. Apply Cleaning Fluid Most records do not need a cleaning fluid applied to the entire surface, just the areas that look oily or still have grime trapped in the grooves.Lay the record flat on a microfiber cloth and use a few drops of vinyl cleaning fluid on the soiled areas. Be sure to keep moisture away from the inner label. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the fluid following the direction of the grooves.Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with distilled water and gently wipe over the freshly cleaned area to remove any residue. While a commercial vinyl cleaning fluid is the safest choice, you can also create your own. Combine 3 tablespoons of distilled water, 1 teaspoon of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, and 2 drops of liquid dishwasher rinse agent. Apply the solution with an eye-dropper. Air-Dry the Record Once cleaned, leave the record flat to air dry on a microfiber cloth.Finish the cleaning with a final sweep with an anti-static brush or clean microfiber cloth and return the record to its sleeve. Tips to Keep Your Vinyl Records Sounding Their Best Regularly clean the stylus on your turntable.Store vinyl records in an inner anti-static sleeve to protect them from dust and scratches from the outer sleeve.Minimize the risk of warping by storing records vertically between sturdy dividers to prevent overcrowding.Never keep vinyl near a heat source like a sunny window, radiator, or in a hot attic or garage. Temperatures above 75 degrees F. can cause vinyl to warp.