Tori J asked:
I have many records I got from an antique shop and I want to listen to them but I don’t know how to clean them.
Miller’s Antiques Encyclopedia
I have many records I got from an antique shop and I want to listen to them but I don’t know how to clean them.
Miller’s Antiques Encyclopedia
Tags: Antique Shop, Fashion Records, Old Fashion


3 users commented in " How do you clean old fashion records? "
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Use a soft sponge. Dampen it slightly and wipe wound the vinyl. Don’t go across it.
Miller’s Antiques Handbook and Price Guide 2010-2011
If the records are just dusty a can of compressed air should work fine. Spray the dust off with the air. If the records are actually dirty or sticky look at this link:
There are some commercially available kits for doing this, or if you prefer DIY, I fund this:
Care Of LPs, 45s And Other Vinyl Records
Most LPs and singles released after the early fifties are composed of
polyvinyl materials and are more durable than it’s predecessors. When
cleaning vinyl records, I recommend a 50/50 solution of isopropyl alcohol
(70% by Vol.) or denatured alcohol (fewer impurities) and filtered or
distilled water (again, fewer impurities). A few claim that alcohol is
damaging to vinyl… 70% or more by volume strength and continual contact for
a long period of time, maybe… but not in the recommended dilution. Alcohol
is water soluble and leaves little or no residue. A mild detergent, such as
Johnson and Johnson Baby Bath, can be used in small amounts with water with
no rinsing necessary. Photo Flo is a wetting agent used in photography to
help reduce water spots and marks during the rinsing of negatives. A couple
of drops in the above solutions also help in reducing residual deposits.
The solution should be applied with a soft, clean washcloth, wiping in a
circular motion with the grooves. Rinse the cloth often in the solution and
replace with a fresh mixture when needed. I recommend thoroughly drying the
record with a soft, clean towel… this further reduces residue left behind.
Try not to get the labels wet.
Dirty covers and labels are best left alone. If the cover is laminated or
glossy, a damp towel can be used… A mild furniture polish does nicely too.
Marks or writing on the cover may be able to be removed with a rubber eraser.
Lighter fluid (naphtha) or even hair spray works great on pen marks.
Permanent marker can be removed by marking over it with a dry erase marker,
then wipe with a dry cloth… It really works! Stickers, labels, tape and
such can be removed by heating the area with a hair dryer. The heat breaks
down the adhesive and makes it softer and easier to remove sticker and all
without a great risk of damaging the cover or sleeve. Sticker residue can be
removed with most citus-based cleaners or lighter fluid (naphtha). Again, I
stress that these only work well on glossy covers. Matte finish cover and
label marks are usually set. You stand a chance of removing part of the print
or color and making the situation worse.
Ken’s Music Library
#0308
May be freely distributed… Please advise of any additions or corrections…
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