Spin It Clean: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Vinyl TLC

Hey Rockaway fam!

So you’ve started—or rekindled—your love affair with vinyl. Nice. There’s nothing quite like the crackle of a good record spinning on the turntable (though too much crackle? That’s a problem). If your LPs are sounding more like a bowl of Rice Bubbles than Led Zeppelin, it’s time for a clean.

Lucky for you, cleaning your records properly is dead simple—and super satisfying. Here’s how to give your vinyl the TLC it deserves, whether you're going wet ‘n’ wild or staying dry and dignified.

Step 1: The Dry Clean (aka Quick Flick & Spin)

If your records are just a bit dusty (you know, that fine layer of fluff that magically appears even though the sleeve’s been shut), start here. Dry cleaning is perfect for a quick tidy before you drop the needle.

What you’ll need:

• Anti-static brush (the carbon fibre kind is best)

• Velvet record brush (if you're feeling fancy)

How to do it:

1. Pop the record on your turntable (but don’t start it spinning just yet).

2. Gently place your anti-static brush or velvet brush on the vinyl’s surface, following the grooves.

3. Let the brush sit for a few spins (manually or powered), then slowly drag it toward the edge of the record to collect the dust.

4. Marvel at the gross little line of gunk you just removed. That was in your grooves. Ew.

Rockaway tip: Always brush with the grooves, never across. This isn’t a window you're polishing—it’s precision work, people.

Step 2: The Wet Clean (for the hardcore gunk)

If you’ve got fingerprints, mysterious smudges, or a thrift shop treasure that smells like Nan’s lounge room, it’s time to go wet.

What you’ll need:

• A vinyl-safe cleaning solution 

• A microfibre or anti-static cloth

• Optional: a record cleaning mat or a clean flat surface

How to do it:

1. Lay your record down flat on a clean surface.

2. Lightly spray the vinyl with your cleaning solution—just enough to dampen the surface, not drown it.

3. Using your cloth, gently wipe in a circular motion along the grooves. Don’t scrub like you’re cleaning the BBQ—gentle does it!

4. Flip and repeat if both sides need love.

5. Let the record air-dry upright before putting it back in its sleeve. Never put a damp record away. That’s how fungus happens. Yep—vinyl mould is real.

Rockaway tip: Never get the label wet unless you want it to look like it came out of the washing machine. Labels hate moisture.

Bonus: Keepin’ It Clean Between Spins

• Store your records upright (like books), away from heat and direct sunlight.

• Use anti-static inner sleeves to keep dust away. 

• Wash your hands before handling. No one wants your snacky fingers on Bowie.

Final Spin

Clean records sound better, last longer, and make you look like you know what you’re doing. Which, after reading this, you totally do.

Still unsure what to use? Pop into Rockaway—we stock all the gear you need to keep your vinyl in tip-top shape. Or just swing by for a yarn. We love talking records almost as much as we love playing them.

Stay groovy,
The Rockaway Records Crew