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How Do You Clean Old Records?

If you regularly clean your old records and store them properly, you should be able to enjoy listening to them for a long time. If handled or cleaned improperly, you can ruin a valuable item. Whether your records are kept on display or regularly listened to, you should take steps to keep them free of dust, dirt and debris.

Things You'll Need

  • Lint free cloths
  • Record cleaning solution
  • Record cleaning brush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a cleaning solution for cleaning records manually. You can find this type of cleaner at most music stores or from online businesses.

    • 2

      Lay a clean, lint-free cloth on a smooth, flat surface and place the record on top of the cloth.

    • 3

      Squirt a few drops of cleaner onto the record brush. Record cleaning solutions generally come with a cleaning brush. If you don't have a record cleaning brush, a clean toothbrush is a close substitute.

    • 4

      Brush the grooves of the record in a counterclockwise direction, beginning with the inner part of the record and moving toward the outer edge.

    • 5

      Wipe off the bristles of your cleaning brush onto a lint-free cloth as necessary while you are cleaning the record.

    • 6

      Allow the record to air dry for several minutes.

    • 7

      Flip the record over and repeat the cleaning process on the other side.

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