Use SIMPLE GREEN To Clean Your Vinyl Records 

Whenever I'm spending time cleaning records, I think of it as "therapeutic" along with the anticipation of having a whole new stack of music to listen to. I have washed every single record in my collection over time, I have around 3000 records and it's a good feeling to know they are all cleaned. I have used alcohol in my personal solution my entire life and even my very first record still sounds fantastic. Thanks for the video.

Dude, THANK YOU for simplifying a process that so many people want to make ridiculously complex. Thank you thank you thank you. Plus, you've got a serious Mr. Rogers calm vibe going on. And I mean that as the ultimate compliment. Subscribing and liking.

I was in the car washing business for 30+ years- automatic conveyor operated full service and hand washing and detailing in NY at more than 3 different locations at one time- hundreds of thousands of cars a year and so millions over 30 years-- absolutely Simple Green will leave behind residue- try it on black car paint- the same process u did in video on black car paint- you will see it leaves a residue- or try it on glass - you need to wash the SG off then dry and that may be best suggestion as a last step- OR use less alcohol/distilled water which evaporates - I use a Vinyl Styl Deep Groove Record Washer which uses hogs hair brushes and protects label in conjunction with distilled water and very tiny amount of 99% iso alcohol - then air dry with ionic hair dryer (I use an ionic hair dryer on cool setting to blow all water off- same when I wash my black car- I never touch the water at the end only blow it off leaf blower- of course you can not wax/ceramic coat records like a car BUT no touch drying is best as each time you touch the record you destroy the micro grooves - ) and set on drying stand for 30 mins- when you use hand cleaning its inconsistent and pressure varies and leaves more micro scratches than hogs hair- when I detailed the best cars - I never hand washed with microfiber- I always used hogs hair brush on pole so each time pressure is precise on surface- I use the brush in huge triple bucket system dipping the brush after every stroke in to each of three buckets- so no chance of carrier dirt damaging paint- the hogs hair releases dirt into the three buckets similar to how the Vinyl Styl Deep Groove Record Washer does. And air drying ensures no further contact which equates to no additional damage

Strong Bob Ross vibes at around 8 minutes in. Love it! Thanks for the tip. Definitely gonna give it a shot on a few records. Take care

Thanks, I gave this simple green mix a try today on a used dirty record , it cleaned up great ! I also used a soft toothbrush. Record plays sounds great !

After using this method now for over 6 mo (I buy a ton of used Vinyl) and the only change is what I use as a cleaning brush and rinse in Ultrasonic w/surfactant, it does an amazing job... Thanks for the video!!

Sir, I have always used "Simple Green" for house cleaning but I have never, never knew a person could use this product for cleaning albums. Thank you! From Brooklyn, New York City. P.S. For the next time (for me) please play the sound before and after

thanx for taking the time to make this video , recently got back into LPs & have been buying many 60/70s LPs that need a good cleaning, one of the sellers actually mentioned this product (simple green) works well .

I've never used Simple Green to clean records. But, I use it in my day job servicing vintage audio gear to clean faceplates and knobs. I take the knobs off and let them soak in a glass bowl full of Simple green while I service the unit. Then, before putting the knobs back on, I use a microfiber cloth and Simple Green to clean the faceplate. When the knobs come out of the bowl, all they need is to be dried off and they are spotless. Put them back on and the unit looks much better.

Spin Clean works for me. That’s all I use.

I appreciate your video and thank you Tavis for this tip. Just like you, I love cleaning records. It gives me peace and it relaxes me, especially while listening to music in the background. I appreciate you brother.

I agree this is safe and that the distilled water wipe down will remove any residue. I did it with a similar alcohol based screen cleanser and brought two rare but unlistenable LPs back to life. No damage or degradation to the record, but now sound great…90% better. Lots of doctrine voodo out there, all aimed at keeping us chasing the holy grail device or overpriced cleanser. Micro fiber works as well as anything I’ve heard despite superstition to the contrary. This is a good tip ‘y’all.

I've been using Windex for over 40 years to clean my dirty records. It has been amazing. I think I'll try your method of Simple Green and distilled water. I'm intrigued. I never understood why someone would invest hundreds of dollars into a record cleaning machine. Its time consuming and doesn't do a better job than a simple method of cleaning like what you have shown us. Thanks for posting this.

Good job Tavis - I use a similar method, but with Blue Dawn. I may try the Simple Green - I do it at the sink, though, thoroughly wetting the record, hitting it with the solution from a spray bottle, and I also use a very fine Italian horse-hair brush that really does a great job getting in and cleaning the grooves. But again - love this video.

Tavis, your video is amazing! I did try it and The result was awesome! Thank you so much.. been trying to do this but never able to do it properly - thank you from Jakarta Indonesia

Tavis, I like the way you present. It's a folksy down home style. I can relate! Although I've learned some things from the rooty, tooty, snooty types and adjusted techniques to fit my preferences. Record cleaning is sort of like cooking recipes. Everyone has their own way of preparing food. I haven't used Simple Green. I have use Murphy's Oil Soap with distilled water and a final rinse with Audio Intelligent #6 one step rinse. My cleaning process uses the Vinyl Styl RCM and a vacuum based RCM to suck the muck and fluid out of the grooves and to ensure the record is dry. The Vinyl Styl is quite good at getting into the groove because it uses goat hair brushes, something micro fiber or any other type of cloth cannot do. Enjoyed your video!

Thanks for the tip! You have a very soothing voice.

This video is really really relaxing.

Tavis, great video. Have you ever tried using an "edger" or "edge painter" to clean your records? They're the little plastic rectangular thingies you use to paint the edges of walls. They're available at hardware stores or big box stores and they're super cheap and the perfect size for cleaning records. The replaceable bristle pads track the grooves such that you barely need apply pressure. Just skate it around the record a few times after you spray the cleaner on there, then proceed normally with your towels and your rinsing and drying process. I certainly didn't invent this method, i've seen others employ it in youtube videos, but I've found it to be quick, easy and effective.

What relaxes me is listening to you talk about cleaning records, lol. This could also be a good ASMR video.

I love your video! Keep on sharing those practical tips... The distilled water, alcohol and dishwashing liquid will work well too. Some just over reacts to alcohol and other solutions. Its not as if you'll pour the whole bottle of alcohol nor the dishwashing agent on the record. And yes, its calming and very therapeutic cleaning records. I agree with on that!

I’ve been using Windex and alcohol for over 40 years Gets rid of fingerprints and there’s no residue I use it on 45 RPMs I clean records from the 50s and 60s With a microfiber cloth distilled water for a last-minute wipe

I believe what u say! Thanks! i was going to use the other solution, but this stopped me.

Alconox is really good if you habe a vinyl vac. I have used simple green in a very diluted solution. It works good. I also rinse again 10% isopropyl distilled water solution. Now I just use a vinyl vac

Thank you, brotha! I appreciate you.

Great tip here. I'm completely with you on looking for a non-$400 record cleaning solution, and this is pretty damn good. Looks like I'm gonna have to find some time this weekend for this. Appreciate the video, Tavis. Hope you're having a great summer! 😁

I just use distilled water and a cotton t-shirt. 9:19 I slightly dampen a t-shirt and wipe until it "feels" smooth.

Great Video! I have never cleaned my records and now I feel bad about it. I will get this simple green cleaner and do it pronto. Thanks for the advice.

A very economical option for people who buy 2nd hand records. Excellent video.

Great video Tavis! I'm definitely going to try this. Your videos are informative and helpful. Plus you have a very relaxing/soothing voice. Take care Tavis.

Thank You Thank You for this, I almost bought one of these record cleaning machines but this works so well probably even better at a lower cost and I get to meditate while doing it 😂 Be well

Been using Simple Green with my Disc-washer record cleaners for years now. I picked up two Disc-washer record cleaners about thirty years ago from a record store that was closing. I use a mixture of distilled water and Simple Green in the first Disc-washer to clean, and distilled water only in the second Disc-washer to rinse. Works like a charm.

Im new into vinyl i just bought jay z and skip alot light scratches and fingerprints. I try this out im nervous records are very expensive. By the way i loved your shirt

Thanks for making this video. Can’t wait to try it.

Whoa, rocking the To The Extreme album. Had that when I was 15. Records were getting tough to get hold of at that time, phased out for tapes and CDs. Burning 'um if you ain't quick and nimble, I go crazy when I hear a cymbal. 'Na hi hat with a souped up tempo, I'm on a roll, time to go solo.

Interesting. The only comment I have is the cross-contamination of cloths. You used one to wipe down the record, and then used it again to wipe away the Simple Green solution on the record. Would it be better to use separate cloths for their dedicated purposes. Or, is cross-contamination over-thinking things a bit? Interested in your comments.

In addition to cleaning, you have to invest in proper inner sleeves for LPs. Paper sleeves cause static, micro scratches, and surface noise on LPs.

The point of the alcohol is to break the surface tension to make the liquid get i to the grooves. Simple green and other similar stuff on spray bottles already has additives to do this.

Looks like a good process to me thanks for the vid ….

Hey Tavis! Thank YOU for showing us an inexpensive way to take care of Vinyl Records. I am grateful for this very easy tutorial! Just curious, how often would you say you clean your records? I want to make it a habit of mine to really take care of my vinyl's since they mean so much to me!

Well done Sir! Remember to put your clean and dry record back into a poly-lined inner sleeve when you are done.

Thank you it worked perfect no sound but the Music.

Thank you! Subscribed😊

Vanilla Ice o0 i giggled =)

Hey, I’m considering buying the HOMEXEL colored microfiber clothes you recommended (the 3rd link in the description). Would you say I’m safe from having to worry about scratches or any other damage done to my records from these cloths? Just making sure

Hey Travis, nice video You seem like the kind of guy that would be great to kick back with and smoke a blunt and listen to some vinyl with. however, I have learned from a lot of people with large collections, and who have invested a lot of years and money in their systems that You should always check the ingredients of any product that you’re using on your vinyl records. And although the debate is up for grabs regarding alcohol and its potency versus how much it’s been deluded in the solution. Simple Green does have a bit of alcohol in it although they will not list the percentage but more importantly, it does have hydrochloric acid in it and they do not list Just how much, so just putting that out there, so keep that in mind folks. Spin on!

Constructive criticism: A before and after sound comparison would’ve gone a long way to convincing me to attempt this. Other than that, great video.

The reason people say not to use alcohol is that it eats shallac..so 78$ but I can't wait to try this thank you

This works. Thanks.

Ok, this might be great, I don't know if I'd trust all the ingredients in that product, but after drying with your rag, there is still water in the grooves. To remove it and really dry your records, you could leave them to air out for a few minutes. I use a make-up brush, with super fine bristles and put the record on the turntable to spin while I'm holding the brush at an angle that allows the bristles to penetrate the grooves. You can sometimes feel the dampness on the brush! I'm all for simple cleaning solutions and have been playing around with different methods for about 12 years, but remember, the cleaning of a record is not in how shiny it is... it's in the grooves. If you're not getting into the grooves to lift the dirt out, then you're only polishing the top surface.

im gonna try it..thanx

I have a Chinese made ultrasonic cleaner and a humminguru. I first use the Chinese ultrasonic cleaner using simple green for 5 minutes then rinse with water. Next step is through the humminguru. My records turn out spotless. Yes simple green works well. No fantasy cleaning solutions.

Simple Green is an American brand of cleaning products produced by Sunshine Makers, Inc.[1] Their best known product is Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, which totaled sales of at least US$5.7 million in 2004.[2] It is advertised as an environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and biodegradable cleaner. It received critical attention from environmental safety activists[2][3] because of the toxicity concerns of 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE), which was in the formula at under 4%.[4] As of 2013 2-butoxyethanol has been removed from Simple Green all-purpose cleaner, and has an NFPA/HMIS rating of 0/minimal for Health, Fire, Reactivity, and Special.[5] Its main competitors are Lysol and Clorox.

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Can a dry microfiber towel be used to dry the record rather than a t-shirt or lint-free cloth? I have several LPs that have been sitting in a record store wooden crate for years. A couple of them have residue on them where it looks like insects have eaten the lp jacket and liner and the remains have deposited on the vinyl. I'm thinking soaking them in your simple green solution would be a good start, but I don't think running a microfiber towel around the record is a good idea. Can warm tap water with slight pressure be used to remove the softened residue, then followed by your cleaning process above? Some of these lps are collector's items now and while I have no intention of selling them, I sure would rather listen to them than try to replace them. Thanks in advance for your consideration.

what turntable is that in the video

A gallon of simple green concentrate should be available at the hardware store for $11-13. I think I’ve cleaned an entire house with the stuff.

simple green works great on car interiors too. cleans and leaves a natural shine.

Unfortunately there are 100 different ways to clean records and every person swears their way is the correct way and every other method will ruin your records. Oh one tip.....when you wash your microfiber towles allow them to air dry. I have found that throwing them in the dyer can actually melt the fibers(on a level not easily seen by the naked eye) and make the fibers kinda rough and not smooth like new.

I'll have to try this. I always just used my tongue.

I find that there are microfiber towels and there are microfiber towels, some of them leave microfibres in your grooves that your stylus will have to dredge out. Buy good quality microfiber towels !!!!!

Nothing wrong with simple green or alcohol. I have a vacuum machine so whatever I use I come back With distilled water because in theory simple green which is a soap will attract dirt after cleaning because You won’t get all of it off.

“They’re going look good, they’re going sound good and they’re going to smell good too”

simple green leaves a residue, you can probably clean vinyl records with dish soap, ammonia, lighter fluid or urine but I wouldn't do it. Theres plenty of record cleaners (very inexpensive) out there that not only clean but is an anti-static as well. Simple Green will just buildup residue and cause dust to stick and scratch your records.

Good on yea mate. I'm from the UK and I have tried Elbow Grease spray on old records from thrift shops. It is alcohol free (so I can't get drunk on it!) But does seem to work. I wouldn't use on my expensive record, but I wouldn't need to If I got them from new.

Alcohol has Been used as a Record cleaning fluid Forever

This really does work well…s

10% isopropyl is fine

Don't believe the hype ;) There is nothing fancy or difficult about cleaning records. They're just PVC. There is an established method that is very simple and effective. Distilled water, Alcohol (or not) and a surfactant. Proper proportions. Propers brushes. Whether you use a bath like a spin clean or ultrasonic or a manual or automatic spinning platter and a vaccuum its the same idea. Wet down the record with the cleaning solution, remove the cleaning solution and then rinse and dry. No need for shortcuts. I also prefer glass or metal bowls to plastic since they will not absorb the grime or leach plastics. For heavily soiled thrift store or garage sale albums I like the idea of a bath in luke warm water to remove/loosen deep embedded grime, then a spin on the DIY vaccuum system that didn't cost me anywhere near $500. Shop vacs are cheap. Distilled water, 99% Alcohol and the surfactant or not expensive either.....you can do it.

Might as well use the elmers glue method, amazon has a ultrasonic record cleaner with tempature control for 150.00.

Lits look on the other side

soilent green?

OR, for under $200, rig up your own motorised ultrasonic and enough alcohol and tergitol to clean thousands of records, five at a time, to the same standard as a $3000 machine. Think about it.

No

Alcohol is better diluted as a cleaner than what you are using 😂 They are winding you up bro

Watch this video at 2X spped. Your welcome.

Anything that leaves a residue Is no good. Distilled water three drops of Dawn Could this upload have been done in six minutes?

Don't agree with simple green, but I like the cut of your jib. Actually, the presentation, lol. Small amount of 90% alcohol, drop of soap, distilled water.

You're crazy to use any alcohol and Simple Green is Ludacris. I have been collecting for 5 decades.. Laser Media is the best for cleaning vinyl. You might use Windex same story crazy.

Don’t use simple green to clean your records

no way using this green stuff, buy a purpose made solution such as VinylShelter record cleaning fluid, the simplest and the best!

😳……..🤣🤣🤣🤣

NOPE!

This is stupid.

Total nonsense. Anyone who uses that crap to clean their records is nuts. Get a spin clean. Or a vpi. Or best get a kirmuss audio cleaner.

I am sorry to say but all you did is pressing the dirt further down into the grooves. . a very non professional job , the items you used and the method are a nightmare and an insult to vinyl , irrelevant how many likes you got .