Remove the record from its sleeve and place it on a soft cotton cloth. Shake out or blow any debris trapped within the sleeve.
Mix warm water and several drops of mild detergent in a large bowl. Moisten a soft washcloth with the detergent solution and apply it to the record by gently wiping the record in the direction of the grooves. Allow the solution to sit in the grooves for a few minutes to break down dirt and debris.
Rinse the record under a very low faucet flow -- avoid wetting the label during this process. Blot the record dry with a soft towel and repeat the process for the other side of the record.
Allow the record to air-dry overnight on the soft towel. Ensure that the record is completely dry before playing it or returning it to its sleeve.
Use an alcohol-based cleaning solution for vinyl records -- isopropyl alcohol is a suitable alternative. Lay the record down on a soft cloth and apply the cleaning agent to a record brush. Wipe the brush over the record in the direction of the grooves, being careful to avoid wetting the label. Clean any debris from the brush after several rotations and repeat until debris is no longer found. Repeat for the other side, blotting the record dry with a towel and allowing it to air-dry overnight before playing or storage.
Clean Edison Diamond Disks or any other condensite records with alcohol cleaning agents in the same manner as vinyl.
Clean acetate records by applying mineral oil to the surface of the record with a soft cloth. Apply photoflow fluid and a mild detergent to the record and gently work it into a lather. Rinse the record with low-flowing warm water (again being careful to avoid wetting the label) and then dry it with a soft cloth. Allow it to air-dry before playing or storing.