Vinyl Cleaning Kits & Supplies

There are many factors that make a vinyl record high-quality in a collectors eyes, including:

• How rare it is
• Whether or not it has the original sleeves and packaging
• How damaged it is
• How intact and clear the sound quality is
• How often it has been cleaned properly with a vinyl cleaning kit
• How often it has been played

Quality has nothing to do with your taste in music, of course. Whether you like classical, hip hop, rock, or anything in between, a record can be just as personally meaningful to you. Here’s what makes the best sounding vinyl albums great.

That’s subjective, and also a big matter of debate in the music world! A similar question would be: is an antique painting better than a contemporary painting? No matter if you love new or old records, we’ll share your love of vinyl at Big Fudge.

We’re happy you’re getting into our passion for audio! Read our guide on how to start collecting vinyl.

Back? Vinyl never left! Vinyl experienced a plummet in popularity starting in the 90s when cassettes and CDs came on the scene, but vinyl has never disappeared. In fact, vinyl has experienced a skyrocketing surge in popularity in the music world within the last decade.

Without the proper care, vinyl records can degrade and lose their sound quality. If they’re damaged enough they can become unplayable, just like any other physical media. If you care for and store records carefully with purpose-made LP cleaners and vinyl cleaning kits, they’ll last your whole lifetime and beyond.

Digital audio is compressed, and many audiophiles agree that the lossless audio format on vinyl is the best way to experience music as it was originally recorded. Sound that is processed through digital speakers is always going to have a different nuance than sound processed via a record. The best way to form an opinion on the matter is to listen for yourself.

Vinyl should always be stored upright. This is a must. If you stack them, the lower plates will suffer and the envelopes will be damaged. They will also experience more degradation and friction over time, reducing their lifespan. Here’s how to display your vinyl collection.

You can start with our 4-in-1 vinyl cleaning kit. You’ll also benefit from items like an LP cleaner and a new record washer from time to time. You can also read our handy article on how to keep your vinyl in mint condition.

Don’t intentionally use water to clean your record. Some people say you can use distilled water, but it can be risky. Most tap water contains many different minerals and chemicals, so you’re much better off using a cleaning solution instead. If your record has accidentally gotten wet, it might not be completely damaged. Just dry it with a microfiber cloth and/or let it air dry overnight. Water will damage any paper covering or central label on a record, so it’s best not to get them wet.

It depends on how the record was made, the condition in which it was stored, and many other factors. However, most records can survive for several decades — usually a whole lifespan — before they fully degrade.