The article "How to Clean Analog Vinyl Records" on DiscoMusic.com suggests either first purchasing a record-cleaning solution or creating your own solution of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. Next, you want to get a record-cleaning brush from a music store that is specially designed to carefully remove dirt from between the grooves of the record. You should follow the instructions that come with the record-cleaning solution and make sure that you let the record air dry before placing it into a new sleeve. The article "How to Clean Vinyl Records" on HowtoCleanThings.com also suggests using a microfiber cloth in addition to record cleaning solution and a carbon fiber or velvet brush. When cleaning, you want to set the record onto the turntable and add a few drops of cleaner onto the surface of the record. Then take the carbon fiber brush and run it slowly from the innermost point of the record (not the label) to the outermost point. These materials will not only help you clean your records when you need to, but occasionally giving them a thorough wipe will keep grime and dust from accumulating during usage.
A more thorough, but also more expensive way to clean your records is by purchasing a record-cleaning machine. "How to Clean Analog Vinyl Records" says a record-cleaning machine is the most effective way to clean a record, but they range in price from hundreds to thousands of dollars. If you can't afford a top-of-the-line, brand-new record-cleaning machine, you can check out online retailers such as Ebay.com or Half.com to purchase used record cleaners in good condition.
Preventive cleaning of your records not only reduces the number of times you have to clean them, but also helps maintain their sound quality. Similar to self-cleaning a record, make sure you keep the album free of dust and grime. Make sure that after cleaning, you place the album in a clean sleeve so that dust and dirt from the previous sleeve doesn't get on the freshly cleaned surface. You should also clean your record player from time to time to prevent any transfer of pollutants.