Fingerprints, dust, and dirt can get in the grooves, causing skips, clicks, and crackles.
Gunk in the grooves can cause the needle to jump and scratch the surface.
Be sure to dry clean any dust or dirt particles before wet cleaning.
The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham
Do not wet clean a record on a turntable because you might damage the player’s components.
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Remove Surface Dust
Dry clean the record with a carbon-fiber or velvet vinyl brush to remove dust.
The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham
Dry the Vinyl
Use a fresh, dry microfiber cloth to dry the record.
Work in the same counter-clockwise motion following the grooves.
Use a record cleaning mat toprevent spreading dustinto the components of the turntable.
The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham
Also, check for visible smudges and fingerprints that indicate a need for a deeper wet cleaning.
Using the wrong cleaning products can permanently damage the vinyl.
Even new records fresh from the sleeve have dust that should be removed.
The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham
Use these tools gently since too much pressure can warp the delicate vinyl.
Using anything other than a vinyl cleaning solution on your records is not recommended.
However, to get a deeper clean using wet wiping, refrain from using household soaps and cleaners.
The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham
Instead, moisten a microfiber cloth with distilled water.
Avoid tap water since it contains minerals that can leave deposits on your records.
you’ve got the option to clean a record in any direction, clockwise or counterclockwise.
The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham
The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham
The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham
