Record collectors know the importance of protecting and maintaining their vinyl LPs. While vinyl offers several advantages over other listening media, it carries a few disadvantages as well - the most important of which is its tendency to degrade over time. If you want to preserve your collection, learning how to protect vinyl records is an essential process. Protecting your records hinges on proper cleaning, handling, and storage techniques.
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning Vinyl Records
1Wipe your records regularly with a record cleaning brush. This is one of the most crucial aspects of a record maintenance regimen. Each time you play a record, wipe its surface down with an anti-static record cleaning brush. Ideally, this should be done both right before and right after playing a record. Using this brush regularly will keep your records cleaner for a longer period of time. Make sure to wipe the brush clean on a cloth after each use.Ad
2Deep clean your records regularly. In addition to wiping the records with a brush, they should also be cleaned using a liquid solution. This can be done either by hand or with a record cleaning machine.
- If you have more than 100 records, your best option is to purchase a commercial record cleaning machine. These machines are generally expensive, but clean records quickly and very effectively. They work by automatically applying a liquid cleaning solution to the record, working the dirt loose, and then vacuuming the liquid and dirt away from the record.
- A cheaper alternative to a record cleaning machine is hand cleaning. Record cleaning kits can be purchased that consist of a directional brush, a liquid cleaning solution, and a small brush for cleaning the directional brush. These kits provide good results, but take much longer to use than a machine.
Method 2 of 3: Handling Vinyl Records
1Handle your records as carefully as possible. When handling a vinyl record, touch it as little as possible with your fingers. The oil and dirt from your fingers is damaging to the vinyl. It is best to touch the record only on the outer edges and on the label.
2Minimize your vinyl's exposure to the air. When handling a record, take it directly from its sleeve onto the turntable. After play, return the record to its sleeve. This minimizes the amount of time the record is exposed to airborne dust.
Method 3 of 3: Storing Vinyl Records
1Keep your records in the proper sleeves. To mitigate the accumulation of dirt and dust on your records, make sure to keep all of them in inner sleeves (in addition to the outer jacket). The thin paper sleeves work well, but the plastic kind have a naturally anti-static property that will further help to dispel dust. For further protection, you can keep the outer LP jackets in clear plastic sleeves. Make sure to regularly replace these sleeves, as they get dirty or worn.
2Store your records properly. Vinyl records should always be stored in a dry, cool environment. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight, as the light and heat can fade the jacket artwork and warp the record. Frequent changes in temperature or humidity can also warp the vinyl. Records should always be stored vertically, as storing them flat or leaning can lead to the vinyl warping.Ad
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- Outer jacket sleeves made from Mylar will retain their clarity much longer than polypropylene sleeves, which become cloudy over time.
- Coating a record with water before playing it ("wet playing"), a method sometimes purported to reduce popping and hissing sounds, can actually damage your record by further driving dust and dirt into its grooves. The water can also loosen the glue holding the stylus to its cantilever.
- Avoid cleaning your records with tap water, rubbing alcohol, or lighter fluid, as the additives and impurities in these substances can damage the vinyl.
Things You'll Need
- Inner sleeves
- Outer sleeves
- Record cleaning brush
- Clean cloth
- Record cleaning machine (optional)
- Record cleaning kit
Categories: CD and Vinyl Record Craft Projects
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