I'm curious what everybody's riuals are when listening to albums. How often do you clean the records? Every Time? How often do you clean and lubricate the stylus? Every time?
I notice on this thread that many people eschew cleaning the stylus. With good reason, as the harm some of the cleaning fluids out there can do to the cartridge.
I use a Japanese product called Zerodust to clean my stylus. It is a piece of very soft plastic which you push up against the stylus and remove. Any dirt on the stylus is transferred to the plastic. After a lot of use you can see a build up of dirt on the plastic and you just wash it with hand soap and it is good as new.
Shiprepair - FWIW, I made up some of the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser "lollipops" that Dougdeacon had described. Use the ME followed by carbon fiber brush (Discwasher, I think) before and after each side. I don't use any liquids. A magnifying lens confirms this dry process removes dust as well as discoloring residue that builds up on stylus.
Probably worth noting there's less risk of harming the cantilever with the device you use.
Also want to voice support for steam cleaning LPs as Creml has been advocating.
I, too, use a VPI 16.5. I also use an Onzow Endust to get any detritus off the stylus. I use the stylus cleaner once daily, but more often if needed. That, and a record clamp, and I'm good to go.
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