The Complete Guide to Cleaning Your Vinyl Records

If you love playing old vinyl or even newer ones, you’re probably familiar with those dreaded clicks, hisses, and other strange noises that sometimes accompany a spinning record. While these sounds can occasionally result from permanent damage to the vinyl, in most cases, it’s simply a buildup of dirt and grime that causes the issue. Dust and contaminants can settle into the grooves, making it difficult for the record player's needle to trace them smoothly.

If you learn to clean and care for your vinyl records properly, you can say goodbye to those unwanted noises. Regular cleaning can lead to richer, clearer sound, extend the life of your collection, and even enhance the investment value of collectible records.

Keeping your records clean also helps keep your turntable or record player in good working condition. Less dirt means less wear on the needle, tonearm, and other components—saving you money on replacement parts. 

Let’s cover everything you need to know about the most effective ways to clean and maintain vinyl records.

How to Clean Vinyl Records

There are several ways to clean a vinyl record, each with its own pros and cons. 

Investing in a record-cleaning machine may be a bit extravagant for the average listener. These machines—like vacuum-powered or ultrasonic cleaners—offer an effective solution for deep cleaning your records, but they come at quite a hefty price. 

Record washer kits, which are simpler and more affordable, are another option that provides decent results for the average consumer.

However, if you’re not ready to invest in a machine, manual cleaning is a practical, low-cost alternative. A record cleaning machine might make sense if you have an extensive collection you’ve built for years, but washing a few records by hand is simple, inexpensive, and can still achieve great results.

Start with a Record Cleaning Brush

A good record-cleaning brush is the first tool you’ll need to clean vinyl records by hand. A carbon fiber brush is our favorite because its bristles reach deep into the grooves to dislodge dust and dirt that often hide there. Unlike a standard microfiber cloth, a quality cleaning brush is designed specifically for vinyl and even helps reduce static electricity—one of the main reasons dust clings to records in the first place! 

Following the grooves, brushing your records lightly in a circular motion can remove surface dirt before you proceed with a deeper cleaning. Doing this every time you play a record is good practice and a habit to get into. This quick brush helps keep the sound crisp and minimizes dirt buildup that could otherwise affect playback quality. A good cleaning brush is handy for beginner record players like the Victrola Stream Carbon, which benefits from well-maintained vinyl for consistent playback.

Pro Tip: Always use a dry carbon fiber brush before any wet cleaning to prevent dust from pushing further into the grooves.

Cleaning Solutions for Deeper Cleaning

Once you've brushed the record surface, you can use a cleaner solution for a deeper clean. Many record cleaning solutions are available—often in spray bottles—that are specifically designed to be safe for vinyl. These solutions help dissolve and lift grime without damaging the record itself. 

You can either spray the solution directly onto the record (carefully avoiding the label) or apply it to your cleaning brush.

When applying the cleaning solution, set your record on your player and use the brush to clean as the record spins. Gently rotate the record both clockwise and counterclockwise to ensure the solution makes contact throughout the grooves. Remember not to press too hard—the goal is to clean without damaging the vinyl surface.

Microfiber cloths can also work for this step, but they often need help reaching into the grooves as effectively as a carbon fiber brush. Picking up a quality brush is worth the effort for a record that needs a good cleaning, especially when paired with an easy-to-use record player like the Victrola Stream Onyx, known for its user-friendly features and impressive sound quality.

Pro Tip: Avoid spraying cleaning solution directly onto the record label—always spray onto your cloth or brush instead.

Cleaning Vinyl Records the Wrong Way

Using the wrong cleaning methods or chemicals on your vinyl can cause significant damage and should be avoided at all costs. Don’t use harsh chemicals like bleach, Windex, or rubbing alcohol. While some people suggest alcohol as a drying agent, it’s risky because it can strip away the protective coating on your records, causing irreversible damage. If you do use alcohol, make sure it’s in tiny* amounts and diluted with distilled water.

Tiny has an asterisk above it, but you should also avoid using tap water to clean it whenever, and however possible. Even clean tap water contains impurities that can stick to your record, embedding contaminants in the grooves. 

If you need to rinse your records, always use distilled water. 

When drying, use a clean, soft microfiber cloth—but remember, a microfiber cloth may not clean as thoroughly as a carbon fiber brush, which is more adept at reaching deep into the grooves.

Another mistake many vinyl lovers new to the hobby make is playing a record while it’s still wet! This is a big-time “No No.” Playing wet records increases friction and wear on the stylus and can also grind dirt further into the grooves, making future cleanings more difficult. Always make sure that your records are completely dry before playing. We cannot stress this enough! 

Preventing Dirt Accumulation

The best way to care for your vinyl records is to prevent them from getting dirty in the first place. Sounds obvious, but it’s the best way to maintain a collection for years to come.

Handling your records correctly—by holding them by the edges and keeping fingers away from the grooves—helps minimize contamination. Proper storage also plays a huge role in maintaining a clean collection. Always store records vertically in sleeves and away from direct sunlight or extreme heat, as both can damage vinyl.

For those just starting to build their vinyl collection, there are some great beginner-friendly record players and accessories to consider that make maintaining records easy. The Victrola Wooden Stand with Record Holder is a great way to keep your growing collection organized, providing a stylish space for storing your records vertically and neatly.

Conclusion

Properly cleaning and maintaining your vinyl records ensures a better listening experience and extends the lifespan of your records and your player. Whether you use a carbon fiber brush, a specialized cleaning solution, or a high-end cleaning machine, keeping your vinyl clean makes all the difference in sound quality and longevity.

Begin with a user-friendly record player like the Victrola Stream Carbon, which integrates smoothly with modern features like Bluetooth and USB compatibility, or the Victrola Stream Onyx for a stylish addition to your home. As you build your collection and learn to care for it, the joy of vinyl will only deepen. The tactile nature of cleaning and playing records transforms music from something you merely hear to something you actively experience.

Your vinyl journey is just beginning, and with the right care, it can be a lifelong passion. Dive into our collection of beginner-friendly record players and must-have vinyl albums today, and discover why vinyl remains the ultimate format for music lovers everywhere.