5 Ideas for Spring Cleaning Your Music Collections (& 5 Spring Cleaning Jams)
Spring is here, and that means it’s time for a little spring cleaning. But don’t limit your cleaning to just the floors and cobwebs. Now is also the perfect time for spring cleaning your muic collection, particularly if you’re a vinyl collector. The good news is that it’s super easy. You just need the right tools, the right techniques, and the right motivational jams.
We have a few musical spring cleaning ideas to get you started.
5 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Music Collection
It’s really important to clean your vinyl from time to time because it will make your records last longer and play better. So, gather up your favorite LPs, roll up your sleeves, and heed these simple tips:
1. Get Rid of the Dust
When spring-cleaning your music, the most important step is to go through your vinyl collection and clean the dust from your records, as leaving dust on your record can potentially damage the albums while playing them.
We recommend using the Record Pal Vinyl Cleaning Roller. All you have to do is place it against the edge of your record and roll it along the surface to collect the dust. The roller is coated with a special non-adhesive gel that pulls out even the most stubborn dust particles in seconds without leaving unwanted residue behind. And because it works so quickly, you can give your entire record collection a good surface clean in mere minutes.
Other tools to help you maintain your records and protect them from dust are included in our comprehensive cleaning kits such as the 4-in-1 Vinyl Cleaning Kit and our Professional Vinyl Cleaner Kit, which also includes our stylus gel.
2. Deep-Clean Your Records Every 6 Months
If it’s been a while since you’ve given your records a deep-clean, a simple dusting might not go far enough. To keep your vinyl in mint condition, follow up your dusting with a deep clean—at least for your most important or treasured records.
For this, you can use the Record Cleaning Friend, our complete vinyl cleaning kit that includes a vinyl sink, drying rack, cleaning fluid, microfiber brushes, microfiber cloth, all-purpose cleaning cloth, rollers, and instructions. This kit is unique because it lets you clean 30 to 50 records at one time. Just place the record in the vinyl sink, use the cleaning solution and other tools to remove dirt and debris, and then move the records to the drying rack.
3. Make Sure to Clean Your Record Player as Well
One common mistake is to clean your vinyl but neglect the machine that plays it. This can inhibit the sound quality of your playback and result in damage to your records over time. As part of your spring cleaning effort, you’ll want to clean your stylus.
The good news is that stylus cleaning is simple with the help of our handy stylus gel, which is included in the Big Fudge Professional Record Cleaning Kit. Just place the bottle of gel beneath the needle and lower the tonearm until the needle is submerged. The gel will collect any dust and debris and ensure that your turntable is ready for the next spin.
4. Display Your Vinyl to Perfection
No list of spring cleaning ideas would be complete without some basic redecorating tips. If you’re still shoving your records into a closet or tattered box, maybe it’s time to rethink the layout of your room. You can make your favorite records a visual centerpiece by hanging them on the wall with stylish display cases, installing a few display shelves, or even repurposing old furniture like bookshelves, credenzas, ladders, or wood crates.
For more ideas on how you can turn your space into a mecca of vinyl decor, check out our guide to How to Display and Show Off Your Vinyl Collection.
5. Reorganize Your Vinyl
And, of course, if you have to sift through 300 records to find your favorite Metallica LP, it’s probably time to rethink your vinyl organization. There are a lot of simple ways you can reorganize your vinyl:
- Alphabetically
- By genre
- By mood
- By year
You can even arrange your records by color scheme if that’s the motif you’re going for. The key is to have some kind of organizational system in place so you can always find exactly what you need when you need it.
5 Spring Cleaning Jams to Make the Time Fly By
There is one more spring cleaning music tip that we shouldn’t neglect. When you’re actually doing the cleaning, you’ll obviously want to set the mood with the right jams. Spring cleaning jams should be up-tempo, catchy, and motivating. Here are a few of our favorites.
1. Car Wash by Rose Royce
A little on the nose? Sure. A bit old? Absolutely. But it’s still the perfect spring cleaning jam, a timeless soul hit that will transform your cleaning chores into a fun escape. Everyone knows the iconic chorus, but the song really slaps when the bridge kicks in around the 2:30 mark.
2. Blinding Lights by the Weekend
This was the top song of 2020 for a reason. With its hypnotic beat, smooth synth layering, and infectious melody, it’s guaranteed to give you the focus and energy needed to get the job done.
3. Clap Your Hands by Sia
This is another upbeat pop anthem that just makes you want to move. Who says you can’t bring the party to your spring cleaning? Crank up the volume, grab your microfiber cloth and cleaning solution, and make your vinyl records sparkle.
4. Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
This is just a bop, plain and simple. If it doesn’t make you want to conquer the world (or at least your dirty closet), you should probably check your pulse.
5. Mo Money Mo Problems by The Notorious B.I.G., Puff Daddy, Mase
This iconic ‘90s jam will get your head bopping and your feet tapping. It’s also the perfect song to have spinning as you open up the windows, let the light pour in, and tackle your spring cleaning like a champion.
6. Wouldn’t It Be Nice by the Beach Boys
Though not as upbeat as the other selections on this list of spring cleaning music suggestions, this song has a nostalgic, dreamy melody that will whisk you away and put you into the perfect trance. Before you know it, you’ll have 50 records clean and on the drying rack, which is included in the Record Cleaning Friend.
7. Man! I Feel Like a Woman by Shania Twain
This song just rocks. Hard. No excuses needed.
Now that you have some spring cleaning ideas and some musical inspiration, what are you waiting for? Start restoring your vinyl to like-new condition!
