Record care: handling, cleaning and storing vinyl

In short: Only touch records by the edge and the label, store them upright, cool and dry, and keep them in a clean inner sleeve. Before playing, a brush removes dust; heavier dirt needs wet cleaning – ideally with a record cleaning machine. That way the condition is kept and the record sounds better.

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First pressings from €300

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Handling

The grooves are delicate: grease and sweat from your fingers attract dust and can leave marks. Hold the record with your palms on the edge and one finger on the label. Never put it down with the grooves on the table.

Storing

• Upright, not stacked flat – the weight of many records can warp them.
• Not too tight and not leaning on the shelf, so nothing bends.
• Cool, dry, out of the sun – heat is vinyl’s worst enemy.
• Inner sleeve: padded or anti-static inner sleeves protect the grooves. But the original inner sleeve belongs to the edition – keep it, even if you put the record in a new sleeve.
• Outer sleeve: a plastic protective sleeve keeps dust and ring wear off the cover.

Cleaning

• Before every play: remove dust with a carbon fibre brush, following the grooves.
• For heavier dirt: clean wet, with a record cleaning fluid and ideally a record cleaning machine that vacuums the fluid off again. Don’t use household cleaners.
• After washing: let the record dry completely, then put it in a new, clean inner sleeve – otherwise the old dust comes back.
• The stylus: a dirty stylus harms the grooves. Clean it regularly with a stylus brush, always from back to front towards the tip, never sideways – and as the maker of your cartridge recommends.

For many of our records you can add a cleaning and a new outer sleeve when you buy – you’ll find the options on the record page under “Book extra service”.

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FAQ

How should I store records? Upright, not too tight, cool and dry, out of direct sun, in an inner and outer sleeve.

How do I clean records? Before playing, with a carbon fibre brush. Heavier dirt wet, with a record cleaning fluid, ideally with a record cleaning machine.

Should I throw away the original inner sleeve? No. It belongs to the edition and is part of the condition for collectors. Keep it, even if the record goes into a new inner sleeve.

Can I add a cleaning at The Vinyl Room? For many records, yes – on the record page under “Book extra service”.