How to Clean and store Your Vinyl Albums

• Prepare a 50/50 solution of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol.

• Remove the album from its jacket and inner sleeve.

• Always handle the record by its edges, with no contact to the playing surface itself.

• Blow softly on both sides of the album to remove surface dust and lint.

• Dip a soft, clean towel in solution until moderately damp, not dripping.

• Use a circular motion to clean the record, following the grooves.

• Repeat on other side of the LP.

• Dry album with a soft, dry towel or cloth.

• Keep solution off the labels, as they could bubble, bleed or come off altogether.

How to Care For & Store Your Albums

• After thoroughly cleaning the album, spend some time on the album cover, or jacket.

• Always handle the record by its edges, with no contact to the playing surface.

• Use a cloth slightly dampened with water or furniture polish to wipe off the cover.

• Use an eraser to remove pencil marks; lighter fluid (naphtha) or hair spray works best on pen marks.

• Permanent marker can be removed by tracing over it with an erasable marker, then wiping with a dry cloth.

• Stickers, labels and tape can be removed by heating the area with a hair dryer, then carefully peeling.

• Use citrus-based cleaners or lighter fluid (naphtha) on the remaining sticky residue.

• To prevent wear and tear on the original cover, place album in a plain white cover, then store it along with the original in a poly outer sleeve.

• Store albums in a cool, dry place. Heat and humidity can cause the growth of mould and mildew on the cover, label and in the record grooves.

• Always store records vertically with as little leaning as possible.

• Always replace the album in its sleeve and cover immediately after playing.

• Do not attempt to clean non-glossy (matte) album covers. You could possibly remove part of the print or colours.

• Do not attempt to clean any album labels (the circular area in the centre of the vinyl itself) for the same reason.