By Vinyl records are in the midst of a renaissance — sales of record players and the discs themselves have skyrocketed since the mid-2000s as retro fever grips the Millennial generation. More and more young people have begun to recognize that the Rolling Stones rock harder on vinyl, and worldwide events like Record Store Day have boosted the profile of the old-fashioned medium in the eyes of modern artists. However, with great (musical) power comes great responsibility, and vinyl records are much more prone to damage than mp3s are. Here are a few tips on proper vinyl maintenance that will keep your collection looking like new.
Proper Storage
Successfully maintaining your record collection begins with storing the records properly when they are not being played. Records should always be placed in plastic protective inner sleeves, and then into the cardboard slips that they were sold in. Records will warp much more quickly if they are stored in a humid or dusty environment, whereas storing them in rooms with stable temperatures will keep the vinyl flat and straight. It is also important to store vinyl records in an upright position, as lying them on their side can destroy their structural integrity.
Proper Cleaning
Many overenthusiastic vinyl owners end up cleaning their disks improperly, which can ruin playback capability and lead to scratches and dents in the informational segment of the record. Always use a carbon fiber brush to remove dust and other debris from the record before cleaning it using a ‘wet’ method. Microfiber cleaning cloths, like those used to wipe laptop and smartphone screens, can be employed if you have limited access to a carbon fiber brush (or don’t have the funds to acquire one.) Mobile record cleaning brushes are increasing in popularity as well — you simply hold the brush on a rotating record, discard the dust that accumulates and change the brush pad every cleaning session.
Proper Washing
Although dry cleaning procedures can be very effective, a proper wash is one of the best ways to guarantee the longevity of your collection. Manual record cleaning machines are somewhat expensive, but not cost prohibitive, and they can increase the lifespan of your vinyl by twenty to thirty years at least. Spin clean washers give records a bath in cleaning solution and freshly distilled water; they simply require that you spin the record by hand through the bath anywhere from seven to ten times.
Hand cleaning is a more frugal solution, but it can be equally effective provided the correct solution is used. Tap water and solutions that are composed mainly of alcohol should be avoided, and the cleaning should take place on a soft surface that is clean and free of dust and lint.
Caring for Other Accessories is Important Too
Even if you are ultra-vigilant about the cleanliness of your vinyl records, your hard work and care will be for naught if you allow your record player and needle to fall into disrepair. Record playing apparatuses do not function well unless all of their constituent pieces are perfectly operational — in other words, vinyl care is part of the maintenance process, but only a small part.
This Guest Blog was written by Jessica Kane, a music connoisseur, an avid record collector, and a writer for SoundStageDirect.
