Vinyl Cleaning: The "Secret" Recipe That Shouldn't Cost You a Fortune
DIY Record Cleaning Solutions
By Marcellusconi · 2026-04-13 · 3 min read
It is with great pleasure that I launch our community blog. For the first post, I could talk about the features of our app, but I’d rather focus on a crucial topic: the maintenance of our records and equipment, such as the playback and recording heads of our tape decks and reel-to-reels.
On social media, influencers often promote various cleaning kits. I won’t judge their quality, but we definitely need to talk about the price.
Let me be clear: I don't blame anyone for promoting products for profit or free samples, it's a job like any other. However, I’m not sponsored by anyone. I work as a chef, I’m not on anyone's payroll, so I can speak my mind freely.
Most "specialised" cleaners sold for $40 or more per litre are actually variations of an old, widely-used recipe consisting of three basic ingredients:
Isopropyl Alcohol (WARNING: Highly Flammable);
Distilled Water;
Wetting Agent (Dishwasher rinse aid or photographic wetting agent).
The ratio of alcohol to water varies from one collector to another, and I’d love to read about your preferred percentages in the comments. I personally prefer a strong solution because it dries quickly. Still, it has its downsides: the strong odour and the risk that alcohol, if left in contact for too long, could damage the PVC or, even worse, dissolve the adhesive holding the diamond tip on your stylus.
My recipe? 70ml distilled water, 30ml isopropyl alcohol, and a few drops of wetting agent. Do I recommend it? Not necessarily, especially if it's your first time. Let’s call it the "maximum NOT recommended" concentration. This solution is also great for cleaning electronic components and tape heads. At lower concentrations (5-10%), it’s perfect for manual record-cleaning machines. I even use it to disinfect surfaces occasionally, but let’s focus on the mixing process.
PLEASE NOTE: Isopropyl alcohol is no joke. The fumes are strong, and it is highly flammable. Do not use it unless you are absolutely sure of what you are doing.
Preparation: In a measuring cup, pour the alcohol first, then add the water and the wetting agent. Mix and transfer to a spray bottle.
Usage: Spray the solution onto the record, then wipe it with a clean microfiber cloth until it is perfectly dry. Repeat this process if necessary. Your record will be clean and free of static. One tip: if the grooves are very dirty, you might still get a "dust bunny" on your stylus, so I always recommend a quick pass with a carbon fiber brush before playing.
Why am I sharing this? Because for a few cents, you can have a lifelong supply of cleaning fluid and enough microfiber cloths to last for years, instead of paying gold prices for something you can make yourself.
Thanks for reading. Now it’s your turn: do you have your own DIY recipe for record cleaning?