Record Cleaning Cloths

[Premium Stuff]

Hi all

I have been wondering about record cleaning cloths - sad I know

I know a few people still sell them and some swear by them.

However, having read the thread where the negative effects of plastic sleeves on treasured vinyl were discussed, I have been wondering about record cleaning cloths.

Are they 'safe' and can they be recommended?

If so,which are the best and where can I get them please?

Cheers

Richard

[Chalky]

The ones I use I get from Roger Banks, and the cleaning solution.

[TOAD]

like chalkey i use the liquid and cloth from roger..cleans up dirty 45s brilliantly and lasts a long time...recomended.

[Britmusicsoulfan]

I have cleaned records for years (when needed) with a soft chamois cloth you would find in the car maintenance section. They're soft, but they also clean off the dirt very well and do no damage to the record.

Cheers!

[Mal C]

I've used these in the past, had all the different cleaning Liquids etc.. recently I discovered the best thing I've come across for cleaning 45's, Baby's Wet wipes!!!

I kid you not, the cheapo Tesco variety have just enough soap solution them to make a difference on every 45 I cleaned, and that included styrene which had what looked like bad dirt in the grooves. seriously they cost nothing for a pack of eighty, called Tesco: my baby's Ultra Soft Cloth wipes, In a blue packet..

Happy cleaning!!

Mal.C.

[Guest john s]

I've used these in the past, had all the different cleaning Liquids etc.. recently I discovered the best thing I've come across for cleaning 45's, Baby's Wet wipes!!!

I kid you not, the cheapo Tesco variety have just enough soap solution them to make a difference on every 45 I cleaned, and that included styrene which had what looked like bad dirt in the grooves. seriously they cost nothing for a pack of eighty, called Tesco: my baby's Ultra Soft Cloth wipes, In a blue packet..

Happy cleaning!!

Mal.C.

Bloody hell - hope you clean them afterwards to get the soap out of the grooves!

[Premium Stuff]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Have to say I'm still a bit sceptical given the residues issue that must exist with some cloths - especially the 'home made' varieties.

If supposedly inert plastic sleeves can damage vinyl it surprises me that residues from other products don't.

Any chemists on here care to comment please?

Cheers

Richard

[Guest eddiep]

I know a dealer that swears by window cleaner.

And that's not a joke!

I also know of one of the guys at Record Collector magazine who actually puts his records in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes and then plays them "wet". Apparently the water loosens up any ground in gunk and the needle actually lifts any crap as it plays through the grooves.

I personally have tried it and it does work for stubborn gunk but I am conscious that if left too long in a bowl of water, the record label may soak up too much of the water and either loosen the label glue or even worse, the label loses it's colouring if it's of a more pourous matt type of paper label. (eg Parkway, Special Agent WLP, Boom WLP etc.)

Just using a lint free wet cloth and a clean dry one after to "polish and dry" seems to be safe and works for me nowdays. Any gunk still left then just keep repeating the process until cleaned as best as possibly can be.

[Dave West]

Ive used a spray that is manifactured for cleaning plastic glasses,visors,and lenses for industrial use. Being used for these means it wont scratch anything.

spray it on,leave a minute then wipe off with a micro fibre cloth to get into grooves...

not bad results but keep it off the label

dave