How to Clean and Store Vinyl Records Properly

Cleaning vinyl records properly means removing dust and grime without scratching the surface, and storing them upright, away from heat and pressure, so the sleeve and vinyl both keep their shape. Get these two things right and a well-pressed record will outlast most of the equipment you play it on.

How to clean vinyl records

1. Remove loose dust first. Use a carbon fibre brush in a light circular motion following the groove direction, before any liquid touches the record. Skipping this step just grinds dust into the vinyl once it is wet.
2. Use a proper record cleaning solution. A dedicated vinyl cleaner, applied with a microfibre pad, lifts ground in grime that a dry brush cannot reach. Avoid household glass or surface cleaners, they can leave a residue that affects playback.
3. Wipe in the direction of the groove, never in circles across it. Circular wiping motions can push debris deeper into the groove rather than lifting it out.
4. Let it air dry fully before playing or sleeving. A record that goes back in its sleeve while still damp risks trapping moisture against the vinyl.
5. For a deeper clean, a vinyl record cleaning machine is worth the investment if you are buying second hand in volume, since it removes ground in dirt that manual cleaning cannot always shift.

How to store vinyl records properly

1. Always store records vertically, never flat. Stacking records flat puts uneven pressure on the ones underneath and can warp them over time, even in a cool room.
2. Keep them away from direct heat and sunlight. Vinyl softens at surprisingly low temperatures, a radiator or a sunny windowsill is enough to cause a visible warp.
3. Use anti static inner sleeves, not just the original paper ones. Static build up attracts dust directly into the grooves, and old paper sleeves can shed fibres onto the vinyl itself.
4. Do not overpack the shelf. Records need to sit loosely enough to pull one out without dragging the edge of its sleeve against its neighbours.
5. Keep the room's humidity reasonably stable. Damp conditions warp sleeves and can encourage mould on card, while very dry air makes vinyl more brittle to handle.