View step-by-step directions on how to clean records. If it's not specifically labelled for use on vinyl records then please do NOT use it.

Never use WD40, lubricants, or solvents of any kind on your records. Never place or pick up a vinyl record as the turntable platter is spinning. This will quickly scratch the underside of a record. Always wait for the platter to come to a complete stop before doing anything with the record. If your turntable platter uses a rubber or felt mat then make sure it is clean before placing a record on top of it first.

Don't mar that beautiful album cover art with tape Can I use masking tape or Scotch tape to fix record jackets? Refrain from using Scotch tape or packaging tape to fix a record cover that is splitting or tearing. It will completely destroy the cover. As the cellophane tape ages, it becomes brittle, yellows, and will ooze adhesive making things worse than before.

Best to place the record jacket in a poly outer sleeve and place the record in its inner sleeve behind it or place the record in its inner sleeve inside a generic cardboard record jacket and save the original jacket for safekeeping. Do you know which sleeves are right for your vinyl records? Generic replacement record jackets are great for replacing water-damaged, lost or torn jackets.

Never leave your records out of their sleeves longer than necessary How long can I keep my records outside of their packaging? If you are not interested in cleaning your records by hand, then you can invest in a machine to do some of the work for you.

There are machines that require special fluids, ones that brush both sides of a disk at once, and ones that combine vacuuming and brushing. Do some research online to find a machine that suits your particular needs. To save money, look for a machine that uses brushes to clean, instead of vacuums.

Method 3 of Keep your records dry. Never play or store a wet record. It is a myth that playing a wet record will reduce static build-up. Instead, using a record with moisture on it can damage the grooves and create an even bigger mess to clean. Make sure that you fully wipe down your records with a microfiber cloth or let them air dry on a cleaning mat.

Touch them carefully. Try to avoid touching the interior grooves of your records whenever possible. Instead, handle them by grabbing the label or perimeter of the disk with your fingertips.

The oil on your fingertips can attract dust to the grooves and make it more difficult to clean the record.

Place them in archival sleeves. When your records are cleaned, place them into fresh interior sleeves. Anti-static plastic sleeves are usually a good option. Look for a sleeve that is labeled as archival quality and non-scratching. This will preserve your disk as you take it in and out to play it.

Store them vertically. Make sure to place your records vertically next to one another. If you lay them flat, then your risk warping or bending. If your record is leaning to one side, this can also cause bending. So, keep the records placed firmly together with little room in between. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube.

This may seem odd, but make sure to give your new records a quick cleaning too. They may have a fine layer of dust from storage or residue from processing. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Keep your records away from temperature extremes and humidity. Related wikiHows.

More References About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: 6. Updated: September 3, Categories: Cleaning. Article Summary X It may be time to clean your vinyl record if the surface is visibly dirty or the needle on your record player starts skipping more than usual.

Italiano: Pulire i Dischi in Vinile. One day, a friend told him there were some records in the donation pile in the lobby of their apartment building. He ran downstairs and found a copy of Catching A Wave among the bounty. The reissue gives the album and the original song a second chance to impact a new generation of fans.

Catching A Wave was a breakthrough record for her. He first heard the song at family gatherings, when his cousins would play it during kanikapila, or impromptu, island-style backyard jam sessions. It just sounds like authentic Hawaii. There are, however, drawbacks.

Vinyl can crack, fade, or grow dingy over time. Vinyl is also controversial because of environmental concerns during the manufacturing process. Beware, also, about the architecture of your home—vinyl has been misused on beautifully articulated Victorian homes , hiding the architectural detail and handcrafting from a different era. If you like the idea of vinyl but don't like the look of vinyl panels, another option is to have a professional painter spray on a liquid PVC coating.

Made from polymers and resins, the paint-like coating is about as thick as a credit card when it dries. Liquid PVC became widely available in the mids, and reviews are mixed. The damage caused by a poor application can be devastating. Learn about chemistry before you choose.

We've gotten used to seeing corrugated metal roofs, but why not siding? It has a lower class reputation in the United States—traditionally, corrugated steel has been used for prefabricated military facilities and factories, so it's considered an "industrial" construction material. In Iceland, however, it's a very popular siding that can face up to the harsh winters of a northern climate. Modernist architects like Frank Gehry used it in the hot, dry Southern California region. You may think of aluminum siding as an old-fashioned option, but some builders offer it as an alternative to vinyl.

Both materials come with insulation, are easy to maintain, and fairly durable. Aluminum can dent and fade, but it won't crack the way vinyl will. Also, aluminum is not usually considered harmful to your health or the environment. Although vinyl can be recycled, the manufacturing process is known to be hard on the environment.

Seamless steel siding is another popular alternative. Corrugated iron has been used for siding but is more popular today as a roofing material. Remember that the sidings we're talking about here are ones that are mass-produced and readily available.