Taking Care of Your Vinyl Record Collection

As you may already know, an old record player that is in bad shape can cause damage to your prized record collection. Home HiFi Music Systems has several high quality Record Players that will allow you to safely listen to and enjoy your LP vinyl records.

Care must also be taken when handling, using and storing your record collection to keep them protected from any harm that may come their way. There are many different methods used by professionals to care for and protect your vinyl record collection. We have listed some of the easiest and most basic ways so you can take better care of your record collection and listen to them for many more years to come.

When it comes to holding and handling your vinyl records, there are some tips that you need to know. Always hold them from the outside edges; this will help keep the oils from your fingers and hands out of the grooves where the needle makes contact. Oils left on the surface of the records attract dust and this dust can lead to mould growth which will ultimately damage the needle and result in poor audio quality from playback.

If your records do get oils and dust on them, you will need to take special care to clean them thoroughly before mould sets in. Using a carbon fibre anti-static brush will help remove any surface dust and help keep new dust from clinging to the record’s surface. For more thorough, wet cleaning, a solution of mild soap and water should do the trick. For more dirty LP’s, mix a solution of 1 part rubbing alcohol with 7 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray this onto the record’s surface and wipe dry with an anti-static cloth. You may have to apply some pressure but be very careful not to damage the record while cleaning it and be sure to wipe in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction; never wipe across the grain of the vinyl record.

When storing your vinyl records, never stack them on top of each other or at a 30? angle; over time, this will lead to warping, cracking and possibly breakage. Always store your vinyl records standing up vertically not horizontally. You can even purchase anti-static sleeves from your local record store protecting your vinyl record collection even more.

A well protected and stored vinyl record collection will provide the listener with many years of listening enjoyment. Keep your record collection in top shape with the above tips from Home HiFi Music Systems.