Cleaning Vinyl Records: Myths vs Facts

Vinyl is rewarding but sometimes, a careless wipe or the wrong cleaner can turn a quiet pressing into a noisy mess. And with so much advice floating around from well-meaning friends to questionable online hacks, it’s easy to get confused about what’s actually safe for your records.

Let’s cut through the noise. These are the most common myths about cleaning vinyl and the real facts you should know if you care about keeping your collection in top shape.

Myth #1: Records don’t need to be cleaned if they look clean.

Fact: Dust, mold, and grime are often microscopic.

Just because your record looks clean doesn’t mean it is. Even a visually spotless LP can be packed with residue that your stylus will happily grind deeper into the grooves. If you're hearing pops, crackles, or a duller sound than usual, it may not be the muck on your cartridge, it’s junk in the grooves.

Regular cleaning whether dry or wet helps preserve not just your vinyl, but your stylus too.

Myth #2: Any rag will clean your record.

Fact: That’s a great way to scratch a record.

Any cloth might feel soft, but if misused it can trap dust and drag it across the surface. Always use a proper soft felt brush for dry cleaning or purpose-made microfibre cloth. For deeper cleaning, use purpose-built solutions and vacuum-based machines or at least a safe manual cleaning method.

Myth #3: Tap water is fine for rinsing.

Fact: Tap water often contains minerals that can stay behind.

That stuff that makes your shower glass foggy? Same thing will end up on your record. Minerals and impurities in tap water can leave behind residue that affects sound and attracts more dust.

Always use distilled or RO water when rinsing or diluting cleaning solutions. It’s cheap, safe, and totally worth it.

Myth #4: Once cleaned, records stay clean.

Fact: Sadly, no.

Even freshly cleaned records start collecting dust as soon as they hit the air, especially if you’ve got static electricity in play. Store them in anti-static inner sleeves and keep your stylus clean, too. Touching the playing surface with your fingers? Don’t do it. Your skin oils will leave a mess that no dry brush can fix.

Make cleaning a routine, not a one-off.

Bottom Line: Don’t Overthink It But Don’t Wing It Either

You don’t need to be a scientist or spend a fortune to clean your records properly. But a little know-how goes a long way. Use good tools, safe fluids, and don’t believe everything you read in internet forums.

A clean record not only sounds better it is better. Less wear on your stylus, less distortion, and more music the way it was meant to be heard.

Your vinyl collection deserves that.

Written by Shubaan