Taking Care Of Your Vinyl Records
If you-re one of the many people that have a vinyl record collection, you know that in order for them to play properly they have to be clean and in great condition. Here are a few things you can do to ensure that you can enjoy your favorite old albums for years to come.
The most important thing to know is never touch the surface of the record. This can leave grease from your fingers on the grooves which will attract dust, both of which are major contributors to wearing down a stylus. Always handle your records by the edges and slide it out of the inner sleeve.I was looking for more information and found it here. If you press down on the sleeve, any dust inside will get pressed into the grooves. If you have paper inner sleeves protecting your albums you should replace them with polyethylene sleeves, as paper can scratch the surface.
Before playing, you should clean your records. Usually a cleaning solution containing distilled water and isopropyl alcohol will do the trick. Use a soft dry cloth, and only wipe the vinyl in a circular motion following the grooves. Never wipe across the grooves!
Never store your records where they can be affected by smoke, cooking grease or excessive heat and humidity. Humidity and moisture buildup can cause your vinyl to mold. Any heat source can warp your records, so don-t store your vinyl records near any heating vents, or a window that gets direct sunlight. Always store your albums standing vertically on the edge. Laying them down or stacking them will cause warping.
You should also make sure your stylus is clean and dust free before placing it on your vinyl records and it is recommended that you use a dry brush made for vinyl records after each use.
Using these simple steps can greatly extend the life of your favorite vinyl records.