Best Record Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies in 2022

Last update: December 3, 2022

Are scratched records worth anything?

Scratched records are not worth anything. They are damaged and cannot be played.

Can I use dish soap to clean records?

No, you should not use dish soap to clean records. Dish soap is designed to remove grease and oil from dishes, and can leave behind a residue that will attract dust and dirt. Instead, use a dedicated record cleaning solution or a mild soap, such as baby shampoo.

Can I use vinegar to clean vinyl records?

Yes, you can use vinegar to clean vinyl records. Just make sure to dilute it with water first, as undiluted vinegar can damage the vinyl.

Can you clean a record with a lint roller?

Yes, you can clean a record with a lint roller. The roller will remove any dust or dirt from the surface of the record.


Boundless Audio Stylus Cleaner Brush - Carbon Fiber Anti-Static Stylus Brush for Turntable Needle Cleaning Review:


1. Built - The grip caught my attention first. It is really simple to clean and move the stylus around thanks to the flat and larger grip design. Additionally highly beneficial for people with shaky hands like meThe bristles are made of broad carbon fiber. It is quite simple to position it directly underneath the stylus thanks to the larger bristle design. When brushing, there is no concern about missing the proper stylus point.2. Effectiveness - The electrically conductive paint and broader carbon fiber bristles (the other competition doesn't have this, FYI) function incredibly well together. The static was much diminished or even removed.Although I've used a lot of brushes before, this one gets the job done securely and effectively!In my opinion, Boundless has created the ideal genuine stylus brush!



Record Cleaning Solution with Anti-static Vinyl Cloth - Premium LP Cleaner Fluid 6.7oz by Record Happy. Essential 200ml Spray Bottle to keep your Prized Album Collection like New! Review:


The little bottle of this cleaning solution that was included with the Record Happy cleaning kit my girlfriend gave me as a gift worked brilliantly, so I knew I wanted the larger container. You can't go wrong with this 6.7 ounce bottle for the price, either. I recently bought some ancient records that were very damaged and did not sound well at all. After using this cleaner, the cleaning kit, and the microfiber cloth, they sound brand new! This obviously won't help if there is a deep scratch, but for static, surface debris, and oils it works wonders. Additionally, I heartily endorse the Record Happy Premium Maintenance package, which costs about $30. Any vinyl aficionado must have it; they won't be let down!



#1 Record Cleaner Kit - Complete 4-in-1 Vinyl Cleaning Solution, Includes Velvet Record Brush, XL Cleaning Liquid, Stylus Brush and Travel Pouch! Will NOT Scratch Your Records! Review:


I adore it! You only need a small spray to be ready to go. I got my second order for my man cave's other vintage vinyl setup. It's not for washing vinyl records, the bottle doesn't leak, and a light mist on the brush pad is all that's needed to effectively remove static and dust. The included stylus brushes and bag are welcome extras. You got your money's worth with this fantastic equipment.



Collector Protector 5-in-1 Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit. Includes Soft Velvet Record Brush, Pure Vinyl Cleaning Solution, Stylus Cleaner & Brush, Microfiber Cloth & Storage Pouch Review:


I recently had a seam running along the front of my 1981-purchased original Discwasher split, so I started looking for a replacement. The Discwasher 4 cleaning fluid has received favorable reviews, and I discovered that RCA is still manufacturing this equipment. The internet is wonderful for reading reviews written by people who have actually used the product. With a corduroy cushion in place of the directional velvet that aids in scooping the impurities off the record surface, this new Discwasher is a subpar imitation of the original. According to reviewers, this material merely moves the dust rather of truly lifts it. Thus, I now come to the product that makes reference to the velvet pad. The grain tracks neatly into the grooves despite not being directed and moving in the direction of the grooves. When I try to move the brush on the record inwards or outwards, especially when I've finished and am drawing the brush off the edge of the record, I can feel this. So, brush it off gently and with less pressure. I also wanted to try the less rigid stylus brush that is included in this set. Because the original stylus brush on my Discwasher is so stiff, only the tip of the stylus receives any attention, and dust can build up on the cantilever and on top of it. With the aid of this brush, the stylus can rest deeper among the bristles for more thorough cleaning. A brush cleaner, another bristle brush you use to remove dust from the velvet after cleaning the record, is one item that is missing from this kit. I'm still using my old brush, guys, just a hint! The vinyl cleaner bottle in the package has a spray applicator rather than the drip we used to use to apply it to the pad's front edge in the past. Since my old fluid ran out years ago, I produce my own fluid consisting of distilled water, 90% isopropyl alcohol, and a tiny quantity of Finish dishwasher fluid as a surfactant. I haven't used this new fluid yet, thus. To help remove any tenacious particles on your stylus, there is also a bottle of stylus cleaner that you may mix with the brush. Since I haven't discovered any homemade remedies for this, I'm pleased to use this. I'm curious what's within. The kit also includes a microfiber cloth, but I haven't used it because I also have a Boundless anti-static brush for quick dusting before dropping the "needle." All of this is fantastic once you've performed a thorough cleaning with some type of wet washing. I am now researching vacuum systems to completely take contaminants from the totally cleaned record. Put your freshly cleaned vinyl in a Mo-fi style record sleeve once you're finished. Every time you remove and reinstall your records, the cardboard and paper sleeves cause scratches. Yikes!



Vinyl Buddy - Stylus Cleaner Brush - Anti Static - Carbon Fiber - Remove Debris & Revive Sound Quality Review:


I had my doubts about whether this small brush would significantly alter the sound of my records. I used to use a magic eraser, which is pretty effective, but I decided to buy a "Vinyl Buddy - Record Cleaner Stylus Brush" after seeing some videos on youtube about the stylus and how much dust and microscopic dirt build up on it (which gets deposited in your records grooves as you spin / listen to your records). It made me wonder, "Why waste all of that hard work to just drop a dirty needle into the grooves and get them dirty all over again?!?" I mean, come on, I spend so much time and money washing my records (I use a spin clean). I also pondered whether it would improve the audio quality of my albums. So, after utilizing it for a week, this is what I discovered.The furnace is on, it's a chilly March in Wisconsin, and dry air has been my nemesis when it comes to vinyl records and static electricity at the time of this review. To put it another way, dust adheres to my vinyl, so I always use a Carbon Fiber Anti-Static Record Brush before spinning my records. So I made the decision to test my theory by playing a more recent record that had been cleaned with my carbon fiber record brush and then played with an uncleaned needle. The second spin would be the real test, but there were pops and some clicks. I used the "Vinyl Buddy brush" to clean my stylus after using the carbon fiber brush once more (3). I then dropped the needle and listened to the same track once more, but this time with a clean stylus. The pops and clicks were almost completely gone, and there was a noticeable change in the sound's clarity.Therefore, after using my new "Vinyl Buddy brush" on my stylus, I discovered that it was simple to use and that I felt the sound quality had improved, making this purchase advantageous for me, my record collection, and perhaps the life of my needle!



Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit by KAIU - 5-in-1 Record Cleaning Solution, Stylus Cleaner, Carbon and Velvet Brush & Microfiber Cloth - Premium LP Maintenance Set to Keep Your Vinyl Records Like New Review:


The greatest option for truly deep cleaning is a submersible cleaner, but they're not the finest for routine dusting and cleaning. This kit is a fantastic deal that competes favorably with a wide range of other options, including more expensive ones that don't provide any better options. It has a wonderful color scheme and appearance. The majority of the contents are generic products that have been rebranded, however they are very well coordinated, branded, and offer a lot of value when combined. The quality of this product is approximately where you would expect it to be. You won't be able to get anything better without spending at least an additional $20 to $30, and even then, it's debatable whether it's really worthwhile. The static brush sheds some bristles; it's a generic rebrand, so it's the same one you get in a ton of other kits; it's also frequently sold alone; however, it's conductive and uses your body to mitigate the static, albeit only partially; it works best when used in conjunction with other static-reducing devices. The majority of what it excels at—and is quite effective at—is cleaning up dirt before and after plays. When used as instructed, it will remove the majority of artifacts from the record's surface. I always have it playing on the record player now. While the felt brush and spray both work admirably, it can be challenging to apply the spray evenly all over the record. Most of the static is eliminated by the spray, but some is still there. But it does a good job of cleaning the records. The amount of static that these kits remove will essentially be the same for all of them. The best way to get rid of all the static is in a submersible bath. Although they are also effective at eliminating most static. Try not to apply more spray than is necessary or directed because you'll notice that your stylus takes up some residue from it after you play the recordings. This is my most honest review of this excellent small kit, which I think is great all around. I'm really pleased with it and would definitely use this source again if I ever need more.



Boundless Audio Record Cleaner Brush - Vinyl Cleaning Carbon Fiber Anti-Static Record Brush Review:


I've been collecting records for a long time, and I've tried just about every cleaning technique imaginable. While there's no doubting that very dirty vinyl needs a good deep cleaning, I mostly needed something to get rid of the normal dust and debris that build up with use.The brush arrived in a package that had a modern appearance. There is zero risk that the brush or bristles will be harmed by this. I chose this brush in part because I didn't want any garish branding on something that would effectively be a part of my daily listening setup. Like the rest of my equipment, it has a stylish, vintage appearance.This brush has the highest build quality of any of its sort that I have ever used. Unlike other similar brushes I've used, this one didn't lose any bristles while being used. When the brush was first opened, all of the bristles were completely straight, and they continue to be so while being stored inside the brush handle.The brush feels fantastic in the hand and is the ideal size for cleaning a 12" record. Any accumulated dust is removed by rotating a tiny edge over the bristles inside the handle. The bristles made of carbon fiber appear to be the perfect firmness and quite soft on the vinyl surface. I was able to hear a noticeable improvement in sound clarity and fidelity after cleaning a few of my more soiled albums.I'm a huge admirer of this brush, in case you couldn't tell. It's unquestionably the simplest and most practical option I've discovered for routine, daily record cleaning.



Vinyl Buddy Record Cleaner - Ultimate All in One LP Cleaning Device, Anti-Static & Will NOT Damage Your Records | Rejuvenate & Keep Your Vinyl Sounding Awesome Review:


I didn't have high hopes, but the Vinyl Buddy really exceeded my hopes. I typically use a Spin Clean, and I usually like it. Although I'm not entirely thrilled with how the Spin Clean sometimes seems to leave behind residue that doesn't come out of the grooves for a few plays after a cleaning, I got this for rapid cleans.So I've been quickly cleaning used records I've bought using the Vinyl Buddy before giving them a wash with the Audio Technica cleaning solution and brush. Does a really good job of cleaning records; I can't tell the difference between it and the Spin Clean, and I don't have to worry with any residue either. The sound is definitely improved, as is the typical snap, crackle, and pop of worn records.Highly advised as a quick method for cleaning surface debris and dust off recordings. seems to at least somewhat fit into the grooves. I'll eventually spend the money on a VPI or a comparable, but in the meantime, I really like the Vinyl Buddy. One caution: using the Vinyl Buddy alone generates a lot of static, as other posters have mentioned. Therefore, you need either hit records with a Zero Stat afterward or perform the fluid clean like I've mentioned. Both appear to lessen or get rid of the static that the Vinyl Buddy produces.



Momila Turntable Stylus Cleaner - Zerodust Record Stylus Cleaner w/ Gel Bubble. Delicately Removes Dust from Fine Point Stylus Pens. Vinyl Record Player Accessories | Anti Static Needle Cleaner. Review:


Nice little stylus cleaner, I must say. appears to be well-made and performs its function. The plastic magnifying lens is quite distorted and not very clear. Would advise spending money on a good, stronger lens to have a better view of the stylus. In order to avoid damaging the stylus and making it difficult to remove, extreme caution must be taken when pressing the stylus into the gel. The instructions make no mention of when or how to clean the gel after numerous applications. Overall, very strongly advised.



Vinyl Record Cleaning System with Cleaning Solution and Soft Pads Included Review:


Since the Spin Clean vinyl washer and this item have a similar appearance, I bought this as a significantly less expensive (half-price) substitute. Actually, I prefer the Studebaker's "vintage" appearance to the Spin Clean system's bright yellow design. Even though there is obviously room for water in the basin, the Studebaker instructions make no mention of adding water to it. Instead, they advise running the records three to four times in each direction while soaking the pads in the cleaning solution. With 24 ounces of distilled water in the basin and the cleaning solution poured over the two pads, I made the decision to utilize the Studebaker system similarly to how the Spin Clean is used. In addition, I purchased several microfiber cloths for the cleaning procedure.I cleaned 50 records on my first attempt before pouring the water out, which appeared to be rather cloudy. These recordings have substantially better audio quality and much less common pops and clicks.Differences: Unlike the Spin Clean, the fluid had a squirt nozzle rather than a measuring cap. Instead, I'm purchasing Spin Clean liquid to use. Additionally, the accompanying cleaning towel is little and useless (like for eyeglasses).All things considered, there have been no significant complaints to date.


Can you clean a record with a paper towel?

No, you cannot clean a record with a paper towel. Paper towels are too abrasive and will damage the record. Instead, use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the record clean.

Can you clean records with magic eraser?

Yes, you can clean records with magic eraser. Magic eraser is a product that can be used to clean a variety of surfaces, including records. When cleaning records with magic eraser, be sure to follow the instructions on the package, and test the product on a small area of the record first to ensure it does not damage the surface.

Can you clean vinyls with Windex?

You can clean your vinyls with Windex, but you have to be careful. If you use too much Windex, it can damage the vinyl.

Can you fix a scratched record?

Yes, you can fix a scratched record with a little elbow grease and the right materials. You'll need to clean the record with a soft cloth and a mild cleaning solution, then buff out the scratches with a fine-grit sandpaper. If the scratches are deep, you may need to use a record-repair kit to fill them in.

Can you use baby wipes to clean vinyl records?

Yes, you can use baby wipes to clean vinyl records. Just make sure you use a lint-free variety, and avoid getting the labels wet. Gently wipe the record in a circular motion, starting from the center and working your way out. Then, use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove any residue.

Can you use Clorox wipes on vinyl records?