Cleaning Vinyl Records

Record Cleaning Machines

Record Doctor

Manually spin the record over a vacuum. Seems to do the trick.

Pros:

• 4-5x less expensive than automated RCMs.
• More compact than automated RCMs.
• Some people like the control of manually turn the record.
• The record isn't placed on a platter so it isn't exposed to any dust that may have ended up on the platter.

Cons:

• Slower than automated RCMs.
• People rave about the VPI 16.5. It may do a better job cleaning records.
• Drains to internal container that might not allow liquid to evaporate quickly.
• Some complain that it's loud.
• Some complain that it gets hot after cleaning a few record.
• Some complain that the vacuum doesn't make good contact with the record.

VPI 16.5

• Reported to do a very good job cleaning records.
• Reported to be very well constructed. People say they have had theirs for 20+ years.
• Drains to an external container.

Nitty Gritty

• More compact than other expensive RCMs.
• Some say it doesn't do a much better job than the Record Doctor
• Some say it's not as well constructed as VPI.

Notes

See Also

• 8 Easy And Affordable Ways To Clean Your Vinyl Records By Hand - The Vinyl Factory
• The 8 Best Record Cleaning Machines For The True Vinyl Connoisseur - The Vinyl Factory
• For The Record: How to Clean and Care for Your Vinyl Collection - Rolling Stone
• Record Doctor V customer review by italianprog - Amazon
  This mentions some cleaning agents.