Learning how to clean vinyl records at home is a crucial rite of passage for casual and fervent collectors alike. Each record is a piece of art to cherish and an artifact to preserve. Proper maintenance goes a long way in keeping your collection looking and sounding superb, not just now but in the future. You’re not just a music fan — you’re an archivist!
How to Clean Vinyl Records
Vinyl is Timeless
Vinyl records are music in physical form. That’s it. The songs and lyrics of our favorite musicians are pressed onto a flat disc via grooves that can be brought up using a needle and a speaker… it’s almost crazy to think about, but it’s really just that simple. DIY cleaning vinyl records is part of that beautiful simplicity, giving you a close, personal connection with each record.
The act of listening to our beloved jams on a record player is the perfect way to wile away evenings and has become a ritual that music lovers of all ages are still enjoying today. The process of cleaning and maintaining records is a very rewarding aspect of the hobby that often goes overlooked.
Records Are Worth Preserving
When digital music took over, and we witnessed the compact disc become an obsolete medium, fans and artists found their way back to this timeless format of playing and enjoying the melodies and lyrics that impact the way we think and feel. For many, DIY cleaning vinyl records became a meditative ceremony — an opportunity to reflect on music and life in general.
Vinyl records are tangible expressions of the music we love. It’s important that we not only appreciate this unique medium but that we understand the best ways to care for and maintain the albums we have by learning how to clean vinyl records at home correctly. You’re part of a grand tradition, after all.
At Big Fudge, we’ve streamlined how to best protect your record collection in order to extend the life of albums you’ve searched, haggled, and traded for to create your personal library.
DIY Cleaning Vinyl Records: 6 Easy Steps
1. Use the Bristle Brush to Wipe Collected Dust Off the Velvet Pad
There may be residue from your last cleaning on the velvet pad. The bristle brush in your Big Fudge 4-in-1 Cleaning Kit makes it easy to remove that lint and dust prior to moving forward with your new cleaning session.
2. Remove Dust, Static, and Other Residue Using Your Soft Brush
Think of this step as sweeping a floor to pick up dry dirt and such before you clean it with a mop. Use the soft brush to give your records a soft wipe-down.
When DIY cleaning vinyl records, remember to use circular strokes that move with the record’s grooves. This step is also something you could consider doing after every session on your record player to make sure that the dust and flakes don’t stay in the grooves for too long.
3. Inspect for Missed Dirt and Locate Smudges or Fingerprints
Check your records after the first pass to see if you missed anything. This second inspection will also help you determine how many “tough” spots (grime, fingerprints, etc) are on the record and if you might have left a smudge or print on the album.
DIY cleaning vinyl records takes practice. Don’t be frustrated if you leave lots of smudges or fingerprints the first few times you are learning how to clean vinyl records at home — it takes a few tries before you get efficient at it.
4. Spray With Your Cleaning Fluid and Brush Again
With the easy stuff brushed away and only the tough spots remaining, it’s time to break out the cleaning fluid. Included with every 4-in-1 Cleaning Kit from Big Fudge is a bottle of our cleaning spray that’s alcohol-free and safe to use on all types and sizes of vinyl records. We make DIY cleaning vinyl records easy for you.
Spray once (or twice for larger, tougher spots) on the area that needs it, and use your soft brushes or a microfiber cloth to wipe away the smudges.
Note: This step needs to be done carefully, as using liquids on your record could result in the label getting damaged. Be mindful to keep the label clear of liquids as best as you can.
5. Rinse and Dry Your Record
We recommend our Record Friend™ for this step, as it provides the best heavy-duty clean you can find.
6. Store Properly to Avoid Dust, Dirt, or Accidental Damage
When you’re done DIY cleaning vinyl records, proper storage is a must. With the dust, grime, and fingerprints removed and the records completely dried, you need to put them into protective sleeves right away. The longer a record is out after you clean vinyl records at home, the more dust, dirt, and chances that something might happen to it.
Big Fudge offers both inner paper jackets and outer protection sleeves for exactly this need. All of our products are designed and made with high-quality materials that surpass industry standards. Plus, we also offer sturdy storage boxes that will help you keep your collection organized and safe.
Protect Your Collection
DIY cleaning vinyl records is the key to keeping them looking and sounding great for many years to come. Show some love to your collection, and it will keep you and your music connected.
