2. analog
  3. 177559-151049

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
ghdprentice
7,414 posts
 

I would look at them. You can normally see. If not, play them… if there is surface noise clean them.

 

I am a big advocate of doing less, unless more is shown to be required.

bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 

Yes, they need cleaned. Initially after many years of not doing so, and occasionally afterwards, no matter how careful you are. In fact, I clean my brand new LP’s before first use…..well….almost always….and when I don’t I usually do after spinning the first side.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,023 posts
 

Here's an idea:

Listen to a handful of LP's. Then clean them and listen again. You may then decide for yourself, not ask others what you should do.

If you DO decide cleaner records sound better than non-cleaned ones, you can get your LP's far cleaner with a vacuum-style cleaner than you can with the Spin Clean. The  vacuum machines offered by Record Doctor, VPI, Pro-Ject, and a few others offer great cleaning at a reasonable price. And for around $500 you can assemble an ultrasonic cleaner, which some prefer to vacuum cleaners.  

More to discover