How often, and how, do you clean your stylus?

I have used all of these methods on previous cartridges. The stylus gets up to  1200 degrees Fahrenheit. And gum, oil, or contaminants will get infused onto that stylus. Not good because it can act like a barrier or cushion and lower the detail. You can buy ME sponges that do not have the chemicals or soaps on them. That is probably the only one I would use if you like the quick drop method. Leif from Ortofon says dry brush only. J.R. From Wally tools says dry brush then every three to four weeks you wet clean with a non alcohol cleaner. You can use a longer fiber brush to remove the dust on the cantilever. I have seen too many people damage the cantilever so be careful or don’t wet clean at all. Maybe even distilled water only. YOU MUST MAKE SURE YOUR CANTILEVER IS CLEAN WITHOUT DUST ON IT TO PREVENT WICKING UP INTO THE CARTRIDGE BODY WHERE THE WIRES AND MAGNETS ARE. It has been proven that contaminates will fuse onto the stylus like Onzow. If you are using a $150 cart do what you want. If you are using a cart that costs hundreds or thousands then dry brush only back to front before you drop the tonearm. 
I hope this helps. 

There is a setup consultant, Stirling Trayle @ Audio Systems Optimized. Pretty thorough as to TTs and cleaning stylus. He attacks the whole system as to static electricity, clean contacts etc. His website has some great info including stylus cleaning.

sgattuso

26 posts

05-11-2024 at 10:51pm 

I clean only when it sounds like it needs it. Couple of times a year with many hours of playing in between. With this hobby, I don't look, or listen, for problems that aren't there. 

OK...Stop with the common sense!

That’s not common sense. That’s whistling in the dark.

One of many on the market.  Easy and effective.  IMHO, using a record brush is a no no.  Why do anything that could push surface contamination down into the grooves?  Just strikes me as bad holdover from days gone by.  Cheers.