How best to clean old 78s.

At least get a turntable that can handle a modern cartridge, so you don't ruin the records. There are a few budget cartridges that still have 78 styli available.

Ortofon OM stereo cartridges start at $25; the 78 styli is another $39. This way you can play regular LP's with the same cartridge.

The Shure 78 cartridge is the M78S for $59.

Stanton and Grado also offer 78 styli for some model cartridges.

Try www.garage-a-records.com for any supplies, cleaner, cartridges, styli.

Dual Turntables from Germany are decent. Many play at 78 speed. Many used ones available really cheap on eBay. I have a Dual 1219 that I use for 78's and for poor condition 45's and 33's that I just want to listen to.

If the records are very dirty, then maybe warm water with a little dishwashing liquid to start off, before professional cleaner for deep cleaning.

These things are tough and there's no need to be gentle with them. I use a large old toothbrush on the worst of them with diluted Dawn dishwashing liquid and scrub the heck out of them, following the grooves. Then I rinse them under the tap and do a final rinse on my Nitty Gritty using distilled water. For 78s that look to be in basically clean shape, I just use VPI fluid in the Nitty Gritty with no rinse (at least until I play them and see if additional cleaning is necessary). I have three 78 rpm styli/carts: Grado, Stanton 881, and Shure. Soundwise, they rank in that order. The carts sound unbelievably better if you strap the two hot pins and two ground pins with very thin wire, holding it on with the cartridge leads. This can virtually eliminate surface noise on 78s in decent shape. I have many 78s that sound better than the same music on LP and CD -- this can be a jaw-dropping comparison. BUT WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T USE ALCOHOL ON 78S -- IT WILL DISSOLVE THEM. Good luck, Dave

Afterthought: When I say they're tough, that doesn't mean you can handle them without being mindful of one thing.

They're not vinyl. They break.

Thanks so much for your recommendations! My friend is passing this thread and your great responses to the owner of these old records.

Happy listening!