Part II, Wet Cleaning, is out now: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/edJzdMdjrsmrn2Q.html. Definitely the thing to do when you have fingerprints, smudges, even (gasp!) mold. Just important to get as much dust out of the grooves before spritzing and spraying.

I like to clean mine with sandpaper and polish, gives a nice smooth finish.

Knowing the proper amount of moisture in a cleaning cloth helps remarkably. An anti stat mat or brush is also a must!! In 55 years of collecting and cleaning. yours is a better method than the average video!! Great job

This is an older video but as a newcomer to vinyl thank you for the tips. I've been lucky enough to talk to people in person about aspects of setting up to play records and online resources such as this to further assist. I'm very grateful to have such a wealth of information at my fingertips to ease the learning curve.

I love how it starts out by saying that people will bore you to tears with their method, followed by this dude then explaining his method.

Thank you so much for not just sharing the importance of cleaning and keeping vinyl, but also sharing HOW to do it the best way possible!... the details like the desk mat is super valuable!

Tried everything and arrived at using this method. Definitely my favorite and most consistent method. Great video!

You are SPOT on. I have tried many techniques including machines and cleaners etc, and this is number ONE. Like a chainsaw chain, or a good knife etc, I find that the secret is cleaning EVERY time I use. Simple. Brush off dust, then clean, clean needle, clean all, then play. Every record every time. SIMPLE. like any machine. Respect

Cork is anti-static. I bought a cork turntable mat and set my records on that to clean them with a rubberized roller. I then do a second cleaning with a velvet cleaning brush wetted with a record cleaner. I've found this very effective.

Great, informative demonstration video on cleaning records! Thank you for this extra, but important method of record cleaning; more so with getting rid of dust from static electricity. An easy thumbs up. Now I have more knowledge on using my Audio Technica anti-static brush. However, with the dry method of cleaning vinyl I'm going to wipe away any remaining dust with a micro fibre cloth. I also have Ultra Cloths, but that is for wet cleaning of records.

The two best things I bought for my records were a replacement turntable platter. I took off the metal one and replaced it with an Acrylic platter. The results are that I get zero static when the records are on the turntable. Then I bought an Okki Nokki record cleaning machine. The results are amazing.

Static Vortex. Now there’s a band name.

Omg I didn’t know Brett Favre had a KZfaq channel!

Major thanks . I have been cleaning records incorrectly for ever and I tried your method and boy does it work. Thank you my friend from Ireland.

Great information, I've not used vinyl records for 30 years or so, just getting back in to vinyl. Cool T shirt too. Saxon a great band from my home town. 👍

Awesome video! I learned so much from the Deaf Man!

Had a flea market find album with visible scratches and frisbee like damage to it. Took a dollar store veggie cleaning brush (soft vinyl bristles) with DI water, eye glass cleaner (used on plastic lenses) and lint free cloth. Vinyl cleaned up fine. Record still had the usual older pop and clicks but not as prominent. Cleaned it again and seemed to sound a little better without damage to said technique. Maybe a technique not many want to try but it worked and if you're not critical about the "best" ways.

I tried this today, and it worked great...did it on the worst sounding album in my collection and it sounded 60% better which its probably never been cleaned by previous owners..so thanks for the great video.

Thank you. I've been collecting vinyl for almost 40 years and never realized why dust would keep reappearing on the opposite side of the record. Amazing!

I work at Goodwill in the basement and handle all the vinyl we put online. And this is the best video out there on how to clean them. I can vouch for everything this man is saying. Great video!

Cool tips, thanks! I have a couple hundred vinyl albums put away, all bought in the ‘70’s and’80’s, and the first thing I did with all of them was replace the cheap paper sleeves with the plastic lined ones, then turn them sideways so no dust could get in. I still have a Discwasher in great shape, but the little red bottle of washer fluid is long empty. I need to find the formula to mix up some more, to use as a final polish. Thanks for finally teaching me how to keep the dust from jumping side to side!

Thank you! I’m an aspiring vinyl head and this was the most concise cleaning tutorial i’ve come across.

Haha. I remember my husband and I cleaning 50+ records with this method that including some albums were box sets and double LPS 😆 I went to bed that night with dreams of cleaning more records. Not fun. I agree with all the steps they work great! We clean our records this way before wet cleaning….just more steps lol…just don’t wait last minute. Great video.

Appreciate your video. It gives me a better n simple cleaning method of overcoming than spending more time on wet cleaning method which uses longer time to get it done. Now I got a better idea following your method. Thnx Deaf Man!

This has got to be the most straight to the point no bs cleaning video on this website. I love it and this method works wonders.

I've been using the "spin-clean" device for years and it's always left me satisfied and smiling!😁👍👍

I use a ZeroStat to eliminate static; it works great. I got it along with my original discwasher back in the day, I have replaced my discwasher with the second generation version. Both still work like new.

I always found a little wash up liquid in very slightly warm water, on a soft sponge . Place the vinyl on a soft cotton towel and wipe around avoiding the label. When both sides are done, rinse quickly under the cold tap and pat dry on another soft towel. This has brought old dirty, dull used vinyl back to life for me time and time again. Vinyl cleaners with alcohol damage the surface.

Really nice easy to follow video on dry cleaning your records. Thanks mate!

Great video. I don’t understand other videos they use water. Hair dryer. So crazy. Your way the best way.

Great info, funny thing is when we were kids throw that record on and crank it to 11! Now it’s attention to detail spend 5 or 10 mins cleaning, protecting and storing them....then cranking it to 11!

new vinyl collector here and thank you for the super insightful video + funny editing. I heard you should clean each record you get in the mail before you play them which is also a really good tip. Bought two today brand new and they had a good amount of dust particles already.

Thanks for this. Very helpful. 10-year collector and still learning new tricks. It's amazing what a clean vs dirty vinyl sounds like, and many never clean their vinyl enough to unleash the true fidelity1!

Great tips! One thing I noticed is the discwasher handle has an arrow on it. I have the D4 from the 80's and always thought the fibers were directional and clean better if you pull with the arrow in the direction of travel. Also, the brush that comes with the dishwasher is not for cleaning the stylus (as some have suggested). It is for cleaning the discwasher surface only (per the original instruction manual). Sorry, engineer nerding out. LOL

I never had any static-free stuff available to use, but I did figure out using a clean firm surface to support the record while cleaning (which also prevents the static dust vortex). Also, I noticed your pristine looking copy of “Introducing the Beatles” on the Vee Jay label; it appears to be identical to mine (but much nicer condition), which is, according to the book “The Beatles Are Coming!”, from 2003, is a counterfeit. On page 101, it states, “The good news is that most counterfeit records can easily be spotted by one simple rule. If “The Beatles” appears below the center spindle hole, the disc is counterfeit.”

Great shirt man. Saxon, what a band. Saw them live back in 1982.. wheels a steel.....

I started record collecting in 1983.I have that record i bought in 1983 that i played stacks of times.I still have it but it is crackly in places and scratched.But its still playable and in most areas its still ok.I put asmuch care into the condition of my records as i could but back then there was never any fancy cleaning equipment that i remember.I just brushed each side with my wollen sleeved arm and blew into the record sleeve when i put it back in.Most of my records from that time i bought them in the 80s are still in very good condition.You dont necesarily need to over the top to look after them

I was really naive about cleanin albums Thks for the info

Thank you the info. Enjoyable show. I have built out a couple wood shops before, and when we would install the dust collection ducts (4” pvc pipe) we would wrap them with copper cable that went to ground. The copper was spaced about 3”-4” per wrap around. This was to prevent static dust build up, to prevent dangerous dust explosions. One shop still had a dust problem in the air at a certain point. After a month or so, I noticed the dust in the air there would cling to the areas of the outside of the pvc between the copper wraps, but not where the copper was. Static. I wonder if a grounded, copper plate, with a protective film covering and a wrapped copper brush would help with the static. Could you place a record on a grounded sheet of metal, or even pass it through two grounded rods to discharge the static electricity? I’m neither a vinyl or an electrical expert. I’m imaging taking the record straight out of the cover, pass it through two grounded rods, and perhaps a lot of dust would fall away right there, with a static discharge. Maybe add a brush/vac setup, incorporated in the rods. Also, wouldn’t the drier the air you seek cause more static, like dry winter days? So, then you would seem to have a mold / static debate. Now, I want to go to a record show, ask these questions, and watch the debate. I’m not an audiophile, but I dig the passion you guys have for what’s your thing. Respect.

Just got my first good record player. Wanted to make sure I take proper care of all of my new and old Vinys. Your channels absolutely radical.

I'm convinced this is the best way. All the fluids and contraptions that are out there seem like a great way to destroy your records. Just dust them off, avoid static, done. I don't know why it needs to be any more complex than that unless you dropped your record in mud or something.

I use compressed air can used for computer cleaning. Plus a rotary record washer ... my vinyl hadn't been used since the 80s.. took them out of storage in garage.. still clean as a whistle...

I've never had enough dust after brushing to actually see it. I use a project wet cleaning machine keeps them both dust and static free

Fantastic! I am purchasing a Fluance RT85 Turntable and learning about how to clean my vinyls. Perfect timing.

I had a copy of good kid maad city by Kendrick Lamar that always skipped on dying of thirst. I followed this cleaning method exactly as you showed and I got it to play fine again, even with a deep scratch on that song. Thank you for sharing this wisdom.

Oh my gosh I just got into vinyls thank you so so so much! The last video I watched said to use soap and water and I was really really worried! Definitely checking your store out now!

I actually have a playmat that I use to play Magic the Gathering to lay my records down and clean them. They have a clean surface with rubber on the bottom like a mousepad

Your the BEST! Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas!

Thanks for the tips. I saved my Discwasher brush from the 70's and will come in handy now that I'm collecting vinyl again.

You are doing it wrong on the Discwasher!!! I worked in a record store for years in the '80's and we had the developer of the Dishwasher System come in and demonstrate how to do it properly! First of all the bristles all go unidirectional and there is a reason for that! Not omnidirectional! The only direction you go is pointed out on the brush where is says Dishwasher on the end! You will see an arrow there showing the direction you must go! The way you do it was on the lead edge you would put 3 drops, evenly spaced on the brush! Then with the bottle, still in hand using the base of it, you evenly distribute the three drops of fluid across that lead edge! Then, on the turntable turning, you would put the lead-edge of the brush gently down on the record and let the record make a few times around! Then slowly rotate the brush counterclockwise! Now you are ready to play a nice clean record! Also with the system comes a little brush to brush off the brush and I use that after every record I clean! I have the complete system and use it every time I play records! I need to get a new brush and replace fluids here and there but it works amazing especially the ZeroStat gun! All don't forget to do a stylus clean about every 5 records or you'll be carving up your records! Sorry for rambling!

After doing & trying all the numerous methods & owning 6 different cleaning machines, by farrrrrrrrrr the best at cleaning & most efficient is the Audio Desk Pro ultrasonic cleaner. No machine or method has come close to this.

I had a VPI 16.5 for years and loved it. I sold off my collection and great a while ago, but if I get back into vinyl I'm going to go this route instead of the full boat of cleaning stuff.

I'm watching this tonight 4/28/24. One thing I have never seen on a vinyl show is the Alice Cooper goes to hell album and yet there it was on your display. Love it, and good job on this video.

I’m pleased to witness the resurgence of vinyl. It is still superior to other mediums . While digital music offers less static and a quieter background , I don’t like the digital compression of overall sound. A lack of warmth and depth in digitized music has been a turn off for me . A decent turntable a good amplifier, and some quality shelf speakers and I am in heaven. Thank you for this vid on how to care for our records.

Right as I saw that shirt I trusted you.

Fantastic tutorial, thank you 😊

I was always taught to go with the groove and brush from the outer edge to the center and “follow the groove” to the dead wax inner portion of the vinyl.

I love this video, I've been researching the cleaning aspect. I own 144 records at present, and other than keeping every one in lipped plastic sleeves, leaving the plastic on the outer jacket where applicable, and either replacing or adding a poly record sleeve inside, I have basically treated my collection more like collecting cards or works of art rather than playing them. I do drop a needle from time to time but had no idea how to really clean them properly. I have them stored in a few of these metal DJ cases from Odyssey that have locking lids, so I can keep them reasonably shielded from dust in the air between those and the sleeves. Anyway, I bought a couple of those RCA discwasher packages but I'm so nervous about trying it. I feel like that tip about a dry wiping beforehand is the biggest "wow I feel like an idiot" moment because I would've totally missed that step. If you see this Deaf Man, thank you for the great advice!

Love the Saxon shirt!

White glue method is slow but terrific. Using a carbon fibre brush on the turntable works if you touch a grounded object such as your amplifier.

You are the first person I have listened to that makes sense when cleaning vinyl.... remove the dust first before washing ....I have a vinyl style and it does nothing for the pops and clicks ....because the dust needs to be removed first .... would a small vacuum on the record work also?

Would you dry clean the dust off your car paintwork? Nope, because a lot of that dust/dirt is abrasive, and the same applies to your records. If you have a serious collection, or you’re a dealer, invest in a vacuum RCM and use proper cleaning fluid which has no mineral content and uses a surfactant to lower the surface tension helping to get deep down into the grooves and lift all the crap out… the vacuum RCM then removes the dirty fluid. For seriously dirty records, give them a second pass… it eliminates static too. Fair enough if you only have a relatively small collection and you’re cleaning inexpensive records… but if you have 1000+ records and or valuable records, buy or hire a vacuum machine, I bought the Okki Nokki One, which I use with a relatively inexpensive solution from a company called Vinyl Shelter (about £30 for 5 litres, which will clean a ton of records).

I have a cork Matt and a direct drive table. I hold the brush over the record and turn on the turntable for a couple of revolutions. Makes a perfect dust line, which I suck up with that Project Vinyl Clean gunk. Seems to work.

Thank you for the great advice. Works great!

In order to use a carbon fiber brush correctly on a turntable you turn the brush so that one row of bristles contact the record for a few revolutions. Then you alternate to the other row of bristles while slowly sliding the brush off of the record. Be sure to slide away from the label and completely off the record. Works like a charm. Carbon fiber brushes however are good only at getting most of the surface dust of the record. There is no bristle in the world smaller than a record groove. Brushes such as the Discwasher brush just pushes dirt deeper into the grooves where friction from the stylus bakes it deep into grooves. Only a wet cleaning from a good record cleaner will get dirt out of the grooves, although an enzymatic process works well. These methods though are labor intensive. Vacuum cleaners are good, but ultrasonic cleaners have no peer, and microscopic inspection proves this. So if you have a substantial collection save your money and buy a real cleaning machine. Or better yet, go in with a few fellow collectors and share by the month. If not the method above is okay, but only okay.

I’ve just got my record player as a gift for graduation and I’m too confused how to take care of the vinyl records neither the needle. Can u please make another video about equipment that u most have when u buy a record player🙏🏻 thank you

Great advice! By the way... loved seeing "Alice Cooper Goes to Hell" off to the side there. One of my favourite albums ever and a great sounding album!

sweet thanks for the info, keep up the great work.

If I bought a Zerostat, when in this process would you recommend using it? Before or after using a brush?

What do you think? How do you clean YOUR records?

Huge thumbs up for the Saxon T-shirt!!😁👍👍👍

I agree with your explanation about static. Remember that brand new expensive audiophile records also have to be cleaned before playing them. The micro dust along with the mold release agents have to be cleaned out of the grooves. I wonder about the audiophile who spends tons of money on the ultimate custom sound system. Do they also invest in a medical grade air filtration system for their sound room???

thanks, informative with a good bit of logic there. and i will order a few mats. but deaf dude, snorting that dust will keep it out of the atmosphere. you missed a trick therr.

With old used albums it Seems to me dry cleaning would push dirt into the groove. I use a record label saver and wash mine off with running water in the sink and also use a paintbrush and Dawn dish detergent for the initial cleaning. I have had solid particles embedded in the groove so hard that it took a toothpick soaked in alcohol to remove it. I have yet to find a satisfactory cleaning fluid.

I still have my 70s Zero Stat gun, that pulls out the nasty static from records. Just hold the gun away from the record, pull the trigger very slowly, and release slowly..static all gone! Now I need a new record player, as my old cheapo player is kaput.

Nice choice in shirts👊🏻

I didn't know Brett Favre was into vinyl!

Informative, good techniques - but I've always been trained (including the Discwasher literature I believe) the the Discwasher pad is 'directional'. You always have the end with the cutout toward the spindle, the Logo at the outer groove. (I guess this depends whether clockwise or CCW, so...) The side where the logo arrow points should be first to touch, rock up as you wipe. The little 'fingers' in the velvet pick up in one direction, but, 'rub it the wrong way' and you are pulling the dust back off the fibers onto the vinyl. You can feel the difference with your fingers - rub it from the arrow back= rough, the fibers are grabbing - rub it other direction, smooth, you are removing the dust. (this second direction is the direction you clean the brush off with your toothbrush or whatever...) Sorry, but I was just cringing watching you wipe a Discwasher in both directions on a record.

That polyester mat is perfect😮

I'm kind of new to cleaning records. Keep in mind this album was far from perfect with hairline scratches and all. I just did what dear man vinyl suggested. "With a slight variation or two " I removed the dust first with my brush and a lint free cloth. After that I used sunlight dish soap and hot water. The albums sounds a hell of alot better now. The album is THE WHO, Who's next. A good cleaning made it salvageable. Thanks Dear man vinyl. Good advice.

Alice Cooper Goes To Hell! Loved that album!

Ultimately I think this method is the best. Remember this, most records we buy from used record shops are in pretty good shape. Therefore they are probably not dirty so this method is fantastic. An extremely dirty record may require something stronger than this method. Also, new records, especially those packaged in a paper or cardboard sleeve should be dusted before playing

I was always taught to go with the groove and brush from the outer edge to the center and “follow the groove” to the dead wax inner portion of the vinyl. Less risk of damage

hi, agree with all you said. Never use wet cleaning first. i use an original, directional discwasher brush from the 70's. i also use a carbon fibre brush that is earth to discharge the static, then i go et ith vinylstyl (cross between knosti and spin clean, i also use a 10 disc ultrasonic that runs at 80khz then vac after rinse with second vinylstyl. I also have a Maxell battery vac and de-static unit that runs around the record and draws everything loose out of the groove and discharges the static from record. a lot of process but certainly works. the Maxell unit gets used as preclean before playing. like your video, take care, stay safe and enjoy the music.

Dude, you seem like a great guy Bro, but I'm sorry, I've been collecting vinyl for over 40 years which doesn't mean anything I know, but seriously... First and foremost, you do ***NOT*** grab a record between your finger and thumb like you did to pull it out of the jacket. My apologies, but as soon as I saw that, well... Secondly, you absolutely do NOT set a record down and press down with a brush 'to get deep into the grooves' Huh uh... never... Look even Michael Fremer simply and clearly shows that you DO indeed start your TT with the record on it, and you GENTLY lay the microfiber brush leaning along the nearby row of bristles and let the record go about 3 revolutions and then GENTLY rotate the brush lengthwise so the 2nd row of bristles PICK UP the dust and then you carefully as you roll the brush bring it to the center of the record touching the spindle with the dust fully captured on the back row of bristles and lifting it off the record at the same time. That way you do 2 things. You DO capture all the dust (you can do it twice, I do) and you more likely discharge any static towards the spindle as you lift the brush off. Trust me... I have a moderately sensitive system. And, just doing it this way as I have described, there is NO dust, NO crackles or 'pops', assuming the record is basically clean to start with. But, the point being, NO dust. I do this EVERY time I listen to a record, and all I hear is a nice, clean, quiet surface. Bro, this is just very basic record 101 mate... Now, HOPEFULLY your wet cleaning methods will significantly better! :D Sorry, really, but I just HAD to say something here... photos.app.goo.gl/9ja3UKob7tppW4Y38

Great advice. Thanks.

Solid tips, thanks man!

Great video mate!

Hey all good stuff, but if you bought the deluxe Discwasher kit in the box it came with an anti-static gun to zap the record and neutralize the charge if you used it on the turntable it need your cartridge audibly click through the speakers! They still sell those there's even a $400 version now that looks like a hockey puck.

I use my dishwasher - always get a deep clean that way. LPs on the bottom and 45s on the top and you're good to go!

In the early 80s, I put all my records in DISCWASHER’s “Valuable Record Protector” sleeves. They worked well, but I don’t see them anymore.

Best video I’ve seen on “Record Hygiene “ 💪🏻👌🏻 thanks pal!

I'm relatively new to the hobby. This video was very helpful, thank you.

Great and useful information. Thanks

I use a Digital Ultrasonic Record Cleaner deep cleans the record I love it.

This was nice for “surface cleaning or pre playing cleaning, but not for Deep cleaning “ as advertised. For that you need a wet cleaning. As an audiophile from the 60’s and 70’s , I still have a Sound Guard record Matt which is rubber, anti-static and ideal for the purpose. A wet solution of 90% distilled water, 10% or less alcohol, both 99% pure if available. Kodak Photo Flo solution wetting agent 1%. For dust off I use an electric blower and the dust does not transfer sides, and blow out the inner sleeve briefly at arms length. Spray with small bottle 3 or 4 spots on record. Spread with velvet brush which picks up remaining dust. Deep clean with Audio Technica type brush which gets down into the grooves an eliminates static. you can feel it). Dry with lint free cloth record cleaning pads. All of this is done in the direction of a rotating record. I have been selling LP’s on Amazon for 13 years and use this method daily. I get great compliments on the condition of my records from customers.

Very informative 👏 ...really dig your Saxon shirt !! Wheels of steel !!!

The part I am still not sure about is, once you've got that line of dust brought up by the carbon fibre brush, how you brush that off the record. When you say you normally "brush it into space" are you brushing the bristles across the grooves to get the dust off the record? I've read concerns that could drag dust particles across the record and possibly scratch it, or push the dust back into the grooves.

First brush 4:45 Vinyl Styl, second brush 6:12, third brush 6:38 Disc Washer Wish I knew these notes when I took music listening seriously as a teenager buying new albums.

Wow!!!! Super helpful!!!! Thank you. Just subscribed.