How to Care for Your Vinyl Records the Simple Way

Since I recently rediscovered a sorely neglected vinyl record collection,I have learned a great deal about how to clean, handle and store such gems so that they will perform to their very best whenever you need to play them.Some of the earliest of my records are over fifty years old.Vinyl records are making a comeback both new and old recordings and they need to be looked after to give the best sound reproduction, to protect them and the playing equipment used.Across the internet there is no shortage of advice.In this post,I have set out a checklist of effective and inexpensive practices I have found and which work for me.

Supplies Needed

carbon fibre anti-static brush

micro fibre cloth

storage box

stylus cleaning brush

anti-static cleaning solution

Step by Step Instructions

Cleaning:
>Before playing a record gently dust with the anti-static carbon brush
>For a record that is dirty and has not been played for a while a deeper clean is necessary for both sides with a wet cloth already impregnated with a cleaning fluid, or carefully spray with anti-static cleaning fluid without spraying the label.Gently dry the disc wiping the disc smoothly in a circular motion with the grooves.You may need to repeat this step until you feel the record is clean.
>Cleaning need not be an expensive operation.A proprietory cleaner will suffice.

Handling:

> It is important that you only hold a record at the edge and never place your fingers on the playing surface or the label.Carry the disc with your palms pressed against the edge.Never hold it between thumb and forefinger.


Storage:

>Never stack records.They should always be stored vertically,not horizontally.Records in a pile are sufficiently heavy to cause warping leading to possible permanent damage.
>You can use a simple open plastic storage container, or buy a purpose designed box with a lid and a lockable clasp.
>Each vinyl record should have its own protective sleeve. This can be of paper but a preferred option to prevent dust more effectively is to use anti-static dust protection polythene sleeves.

As I have recently learned, looking after these fragile discs, is not difficult with care, nor need it be expensive. Clearly, with care precious recordings can be preserved and used over a lifetime of listening enjoyment.In this way, some of the finest reproductions of music ever made can be secured.That vinyl offers something that other formats like tape or compact disc cannot is evidenced by the surge in sales of these records in recent years and this revolution does not show signs of slowing.In the US last year it is reported that the vinyl formal outsold digital downloads.To enjoy your collection for many years to come, take these simple steps to protect it.