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Di I really need to clean my LP's?

Recently, when announcing to a relative my intent to use a recently purchased Spin-Clean Record Washer on some LP’s, of which I am the original owner and which have not been played in decades, her reply was, “If you’ve always handled them correctly, and stored them in their sleeves, why do you need to clean them?” I think that this is a very good question. Is there a good reason for me to clean them?

128x128mcdonalk
jperry
2,450 posts
 

Yes, you need to clean them.

audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 

I only clean my thrift store finds with my record dr....because they are usually quite filthy visually, fingerprints etc...however they have little if any scratches, as I’m very discriminant. I do not clean records that I myself bought new and know the history of, because they are pristine. All these records ever see is a dry cleaning with my auduoquest carbon fiber brush, or maybe a dishwasher d4 quick cleaning.

music_is_life's avatar
music_is_life
188 posts
 

Duh!

rsf507
2,334 posts
 

Simple answer YES. Even a brand new album never played will sound better after cleaning.

ilikemiles's avatar
ilikemiles
47 posts
 

Brand new records have mold release compound residue on them from the pressing process; this attracts dust and dirt into the grooves over time. Over the years, dust gets deep into the grooves and adds surface noise. An initial cleaning and a follow up every 5-10 years or so (depending on how much you play them, how they are stored, etc) will keep them sounding their best. In terms of how to clean them, IMO, ultrasonic>vacuum>spin clean>old “disc washer” style cleaners.

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