As with any hobby, I've found that listening to my piles of vinyl records requires a bit of time and effort. Not only do I like to spend the occasional Saturday afternoon scouring local record fairs for EPs, picture discs and classic albums I once had - but are somehow now missing from my collection - but I like to do a bit of online shopping. I also spend quite a bit of my spare time cleaning my vinyl - something that I've been guilty of neglecting in the past.
Yes, I was one of those people who only took care of my vinyl when it became pretty obvious that something had to be done: cleaning up dreaded fingerprints, blowing away dusty grooves (that should be a band name) and fixing general wear and tear. However, now I make it a priority to make sure my collection is in tip-top shape - and that's when I decided to write a list of the best vinyl record cleaners to use.
If choosing the right tools for this particular job has sounded like a particularly daunting task, don’t worry as I've put together a list of products for every budget – from ultrasound machines to anti-static brushes – meaning you can keep your vinyl pristine no matter what state your bank balance is in.
And if this has inspired you, feel free to take a look at our guide to the best turntable speakers, plus my round-up of 12 cheap upgrades you can make to improve your vinyl setup.
Best vinyl record cleaners: Product guide
Weight: 8kg
Type of cleaner: Electronic suction machine
Single/multi use?: Multi
+ Quick and efficient
+ Attention-grabbing looks
- Takes up a lot of room
It might be a bit on the pricey side and look a little unwieldy – but this metallic vinyl cleaning machine from the audio masters at Pro-Ject is a much-loved bit of kit. Not only will the VC-S3 steam-vacuum your grooves in just two revolutions, but it also uses a special eco-friendly cleaning solution, 2.5-litres of which can be contained within the unit’s built-in tank. There’s a magnetic clamp for protecting your record labels, too, ensuring your precious discs don’t lose any of their value during the process.
Weight: 181g
Type of cleaner: Brushes/solution
Single/multi-use?: Multi
+ High-quality velvet brush
+ Stylus brush is small and compact
+ Contemporary design
- Electric kits may be more effective
For an all-round kit that’ll keep your vinyl clean and playing well, this neat product from Boundless is well worth the money. You get a snap-closing storage pouch, a soft velvet record brush, a carbon fibre stylus brush, a 60ml bottle of alcohol-free record cleaning solution and a small nylon cleaning brush. I found this package to be a fuss-free way of making sure my vinyl records were in great shape - and it would also make an excellent gift for fellow vinyl collectors.
Weight: 10kg
Type of cleaner: Ultrasound
Single/multi use?: Multi
+ It’s a high-tech solution
+ Clean several records at once
- It’s not particularly attractive
- Hefty price tag
Emitting very high-frequency waves that are undetectable by the human ear, ultrasound devices are used for a variety of purposes, from scanning pregnancies to training dogs. You can even get ones that clean vinyl records. This one uses a combination of ultrasonic vibration, water and solvent to scrub up seven-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch discs, getting the job done in anywhere from 90 seconds to 10 minutes. It cleans up to six records at once, too, making it a great option for people who have a big collection they want to clean.
Weight: 1.69kg
Type of cleaner: Hand-rotating system
Single/multi use?: Multi
+ Offers a deep clean
+ Includes quick-dry cleaning fluid
- Might be a bit bulky for your taste
SPINCARE sells a whole range of record-cleaning products but this particular model is my personal favourite. This streamline set-up is ideal for people who don’t want to use up too much space or electricity. Hand-rotating your discs within the unit will subject them to ‘deep groove cleaning’, ensuring that no detritus remains embedded. What’s more, the proprietary fluid is quick dry, meaning you can start to play your discs within minutes of finishing the job.
Weight: 91g
Type of cleaner: Brush
Single/multi use?: Multi
+ No fuss
+ Wooden handle
+ Cheap
- Might struggle with ingrained dirt
The kits and contraptions I've featured here will do a great job of deep-cleaning your vinyl, but if your records are just a little dusty, then something simpler might be called for – like the Fasmov Vinyl Record Cleaning Brush. Looking a lot like one of those brushes that barbers use to lather on the shaving foam, this little device combines a solid-wood handle with a mane of soft hair to give you a cleaning solution that's as stout as it is simple. It didn't remove stubborn detritus when I tested it, but if you want something that'll sweep away those lighter particles, then this handheld gadget has your back.
Weight: 46.5g
Type of cleaner: Anti-static brush
Single/multi use?: Multi
+ Easy to use
+ Soft velvet pad is kind to records
- You just get the brush
If you’ve already got all the other cleaning accessories and just need a good brush to complete your set-up, then I can’t recommend this anti-stati brush enough. Marrying a non-scratch velvet pad with an easy-grip wooden handle, it glides easily over a record’s surface, neutralising static and shifting debris within seconds. It can also be used dry or with an alcohol-based cleaning solution, meaning you can either carry out a quick or a more thorough scrub depending on your need.
Best vinyl record cleaners: Buying advice
How to choose the best vinyl record cleaner
When it comes to vinyl records, you don’t really have a choice as to whether you clean them or not. Simply put, if you don’t bother to do it, those albums and singles you spent a small fortune on will soon start to sound muddier than a pig pen in winter. I know this because I've been guilty of neglecting my vinyl.
However, you do have a choice as to how you clean your records, though, and the option you go for will likely depend on a number of factors.
The first of these is your budget. Obviously, if you're simply looking to give your collection a quick spruce up, then you’re probably not going to spend hundreds on the latest ultrasound or suction machine. Even if you do have the money for one, you might not want something as bulky as that cluttering up your home. The other thing to bear in mind with such products is that they use up electricity. On the plus side, these units do a thorough job – and a quick one – making them an efficient solution.
Much cheaper are the non-electric machines, such as the SPINCARE vinyl record cleaner kit, and the hand-cleaning kits, which tend to include a fluid of some description, an anti-static brush and/or cloth, and a few other bits and pieces that the manufacturer deems necessary for the job (and which won’t bump up the price too much). These also do a pretty thorough job, though they’re obviously not as convenient – or indeed as cool – as one of the swankier contraptions.
How can I stop my records getting dirty
This is easier said than done but there are ways you can limit the amount of grime that ends up clogging up the grooves on your records. For starters, handle your records with care. Never touch the grooves, instead hold the record at its edges. If you do get any finger prints or dirt on the playing surface, wipe away gently with a soft, clean cloth.
Storing your vinyl properly is another way to keep the grime at bay for longer. When I'm not playing a record I keep it in a dust cover inside its sleeve and store it in a built-for-purpose vinyl storage unit that's in a cool dry place and away from direct sunlight.
And this is a good tip generally: store your vinyl upright when it's not in use to prevent warping.
How we choose the best vinyl record cleaners
Here at Louder, we are music lovers and experts in our field, with many years of music listening and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything music related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products when selecting the recommendations for our guides.
When choosing what I believe to be the best vinyl record cleaners available right now, I combined my hands-on experience, with user reviews and testimonies and engaged in discussions with my editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
First and foremost, we are all music fans, and we all want others to find the right product for them. I took careful consideration into everything from budget to feature set and ease of use to come up with a list of what I can safely say are the best vinyl record cleaners on the market right now.
Related buyer's guides
- 9 cheap upgrades you can make to improve your vinyl setup
- Best Bluetooth turntables: put a modern spin on your records
- The best budget turntables: Spin your sounds for less
- How to properly set up a record player: Get the most from your system
- How to store vinyl: Tips on keeping your collection in great condition
- Direct-drive vs belt-drive turntables: What's the difference?
