How to wash vinyl records at home?

The vinyl record is previously a common thing, but today it is a rarity and a real treasure. About 50 years ago, they were at the peak of popularity, and it was thanks to them that music sounded from many houses. Unfortunately, to date, very few people have preserved this antiques.

Every owner of a vinyl record library should properly care for such a rarity. In order for the music to continue to sound and delight, the records must be washed. It is about how to do this that will be discussed in this article.

Before we start figuring out why and how often you need to wash a vinyl record, let's understand what it is. So, this is a circular disc of a certain diameter. On its entire area, special grooves are applied, the depth and shape of which may differ. It is when the needle of the turntable hits these grooves that music is born.

The thing is that vinyl records are susceptible to dust pollution, fingerprints remain on them. Also, this product absorbs various odors - cigarette smoke, alcohol, perfume, and whatever is possible. These products should be washed carefully so as not to damage the integrity of the disc.

Even if you do not use records, but simply store them as a rare collection, clean them at least a couple of times a month. If you often enjoy the music they play, cleaning should be done even more often.

There are several ways to take care of your records at home. The first of these involves DIY cleaning. This is one of the simplest and most affordable methods. For him you will need:

• special liquid for cleaning vinyl;
• cotton pad, sponge, or soft cloth;
• fiber towel.

Next, you need to follow a specific algorithm.

• Soak the product in water. Ordinary tap water is suitable, it needs to be heated so that the temperature is within 40 ° C. Of course, it will not work well to clean the product with plain water, since it simply forms drops on the surface of the plate.
• After rinsing thoroughly with water, dry the product.
• Wet a cotton pad and apply a small amount of special detergent to it. Clean the disc around the entire perimeter with a cleaned disc. Each side should be washed for 3-4 minutes.
• Use a strong jet of water to rinse off any remaining detergent. Shake off excess water. Place the plate on a special fiber towel and dry thoroughly.
• At the final stage, install the product near the wall so that it is completely dry.

• The towel you plan to use on the vinyl should not be used anywhere else before. It must be new and absorb moisture well.
• Buy the cleaning agent from specialized stores. When doing this, pay attention to the expiration date and composition. The ingredients in vinyl detergent are ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and distilled water.

Another option for caring for vinyl records is machine cleaning. However, this method is not very popular.The thing is that such equipment is quite expensive, and, among other things, it is not so easy to acquire it today.

Machines for cleaning and washing vinyl products are different, they may differ in the principle of operation and the method of cleaning.

1. Manual. This is a plastic container, which is filled with a special detergent during cleaning. There is a clamp inside the unit that fixes the plate in one position. A brush is installed on the wall of the apparatus, which cleans the vinyl product from various contaminants. The manual cleaning device is the most primitive and affordable.
2. Vacuum. This is a complex and expensive unit that removes absolutely all types of dirt. The vacuum unit is filled with a cleaning solution. Cleaning is fast and efficient. Many products can be cleaned with this device in a short period of time. Outwardly, it looks like a regular turntable.
3. Ultrasonic. It is one of the most efficient and costly cleaning devices available. Ultrasonic cleaning involves the generation of acoustic waves that create a large number of microscopic bubbles from the cleaning agent. These bubbles explode, thereby destroying the dirt. The washing liquid penetrates deep enough into the structure of the vinyl product and removes not only dirt, but also grease.

In order for the product to serve as long as possible, it must be properly stored. Follow these guidelines:

• periodically clean the needle of the turntable from dirt and dust;
• rinse the plate under water without adding detergent, at least once a week;
• put the product in a new bag after each cleaning;
• do not store discs horizontally;
• do not touch the surface of the plate with your fingers and palms - contact with human skin will leave greasy marks and prints on it;
• you can take the product only by the edge.

Adhering to these rules and recommendations, you will be able to enjoy pleasant music from the player for a long time to come.

How to wash a vinyl record, see the video.