Aquafina for record cleaning

I think that's the primary point, Wdi. From my understanding on what I've read about the use of Aquafina is that the levels of dissolved solids in it render it essentially "lab-grade" even though it's not marketed that way, obviously.

I've been using it since Fremer (like him or not...) first started talking about it and find it works every bit as well as the more pricey stuff I had been using. It's readily available and cheap.

I've been a tad skeptical about generic grocery-store "distilled" water.

Michael Fremer vs. Psychicanimal. Who's the authority?

I couldn't stand to read much of this thread. It's dumb.

Something comes to mind as I read the pros and cons of "lab grade" water. If its so aggressive and leaches compounds out of materials, is it really something to rinse your records with?

Let's talk water. Fremer can come in and learn, too! Aquafina is reverse osmosis (RO) purified water to which minerals have been ADDED in order to improve taste! Now, tastewise, it is excellent. Whoever came up with the mix did a great job. RO water can be purified in a single stage (one pass) or dual stage (two pass) system. Depending on source water quality, a single pass system could bring it anyehre in the range of 17-22 micromhos (or microsiemens) conductivity. A second stage can bring it to around 8 to 10 micromhos, but that would be with relatively new and well serviced membranes.

Regarding ultrapure water: by definition (and/or standards) ultrapure water cannot go above 0.10 micromhos (or microsiemens) conductivity. The purest water has a conductivity of 0.055 micromhos. It cannot be any purer because of the natural dissociation of water into H+ and OH-, which is 10e-07 for each ionic form.

Store bought distilled water will usually have a conductivity between 1 to 3 micromhos.

Ultrapure water is a highly agressive solvent, agressive enough to dissolve nose grease from my glasses! Isn't that something? Now, would one need to rinse records with ultrapure water? My answer is no--not even to rinse a stylus cantilever on a regular basis.

Just use a Groovmaster to clean records, rinse them with tap water and then do another rinse with distilled water. Use the record vacuum cleaner only to suction the distilled water rinse. That's what I do.

For those that don't know me, I have a BS degree in Aquatic Science. That means I am a water quality hydrologist and have worked in the ultrapure water industry.

As usual, Dougdeacon gave the correct answer and it went over most people's heads.

With psychic power and primal intensity,