some cleaning solution substitutions

[bcab17]

After reading through many threads here it appears that 4 parts distilled water plus 1 part 90%+ isopropal alcohol, with a few drops of an additive like Kodak photo flo 200 is the "go to" cleaning solution for vinyl.

I ran to the local supermarket and picked up what I could find. They only had 70% isopropal alcohol, so my first question is how does 70% change the mix? Should it be 3 parts dist. water to 1 part iso. alcohol, or something else?

There's no camera store near me, so I picked up something called "Jet Dry", which appears to be a rinse agent for dishwashers. Is this something that could work as a substitute for photo flo? If so, how may drops should be added to the vinyl cleaning solution?

I have also read a few posts that mention the use of a dish soap as well. Since the albums that I will be cleaning are all heavily used thrift shop purchases I was thinking that adding just a drop of the "Free & Clear Natural Dish Liquid" that I found at the supermarket would be a good idea...is it...or is there really no reason to add soap to the equation at all?

I also picked up a pack of "Microfiber Kitchen & Bath Sponges" (I already have a pack of microfiber towels). Should I wash and dry these before using?

The method I'm planning to try is to apply the cleaning solution to one side of the album over the sink, then wipe the record with the microfiber sponge (following the path of the grooves), followed by a clear rinse of just distilled water. Then repeat for the other side. I will then lightly blot dry the cleaned and rinsed record with the microfiber towel, and put it in a dish rack to completely dry overnight. Does this sound ok or am i missing something?

Thanks for your help.

[Alec124c41]

You are doing fine.
I have taken heavily soiled records to the kitchen sink, and washed them with warm (not hot) water and dish soap on a sponge. Rinse well after, and use the cleaning solution after that, with a distilled water rinse.
The ratios are not critical. 1:3 with 70% will be fine. I don't measure my mix, I just eyeball it.

Cheers,
Alec

[bcab17]

Ah, so you use regular tap water with soap initially...then use the distilled water/alcohol mix followed by the distilled water rinse.

What about the drying process? I think I read something about wiping records dry with a cloth doing more harm then good. That's why I figured I would just let the records dry naturally in a dish rack (I wonder if that method would leave water marks or streaks).

[Alec124c41]

In extreme cases, I have washed records in the sink. This is not usually necessary.
If you use distilled water, even with isopropyl and a drop of detergent, you should get no water marks. They come from minerals dissolved in tap water, which are not in distilled water. And that drop of detergent will prevent the water from beading.

Cheers,
Alec

[jtore]

Alec, will you suggest the use of a Knosti machine (or similar) with that solution?
Is rinse mandatory?

[LousyTourist]

Rinses, IMHO, are always necessary. Better too much rinsing than not enough. I always rinse twice.

Go to the auto parts store and buy a pack of microfibre cloths. Use these to wipe your record dry. I would still air dry them in a dish rack for at least 5 or 10 minutes before playing.

[bcab17]

If you use distilled water, even with isopropyl and a drop of detergent, you should get no water marks.

When you say "a drop of detergent" is that dish soap or the "Jet Dry" (or both)?

[bcab17]

[quote="LousyTourist"]Go to the auto parts store and buy a pack of microfibre cloths. Use these to wipe your record dry.[quote]
I remember reading somewhere to wash and dry microfiber cloths before using them to clean and/or dry records. Is that a necessary step?

[davidsss]

I use a few drops of dishwasher rinse aid per 200ml of fluid. I run about a third isopropyl at 99% strength and mix with distilled water. Then I rinse with straight distilled water. Does the job for me. If you want a more effective clean vacuum off the fluid. You can make your own cleaning machine using the instructions here: http://www.teresaudio.com/haven/cleaner/cleaner.html

DS

[LousyTourist]

I use my microfibre cloths right out of the box, and just throw them in the wash (for the clean clothes fairy to deal with) right afterward. So I guess in reality mine get cleaned after the first use. Wouldn't hurt to clean them first, but I haven't bothered.

[Schu]

you guys are rinsing again with pure dist water after the initial iso/dist water cleaning?

[davidsss]

you guys are rinsing again with pure dist water after the initial iso/dist water cleaning?

Yep, a rinse helps a lot in my opinion. Some people even rinse twice.

DS

[Schu]

you guys are rinsing again with pure dist water after the initial iso/dist water cleaning?

Yep, a rinse helps a lot in my opinion. Some people even rinse twice.

DS

thank you sir...

[brain_spo0n]

I use my microfibre cloths right out of the box, and just throw them in the wash (for the clean clothes fairy to deal with) right afterward. So I guess in reality mine get cleaned after the first use. Wouldn't hurt to clean them first, but I haven't bothered.

I have been browsing these threads in order to sort out my cleaning method and this post caught my attention.

Apparently there is some controversy regarding microfiber towels. As far as using them on records, I would say it is a decent solution for easy and effective cleaning (wet or dry). After working for a company that sold them for other purposes, I have a few tidbits of info regarding these cloths:

1. Never wash them with anything but microfiber. Microfiber cloths will collect cotton and other fibers that are released in a wash cycle. You may notice this afterwards (small cotton lint balls all over your microfiber).

2. Never dry them with high heat. Microfiber is plastic and heat will make the tiny fibers brittle. This will lead to the shedding which I suspect at this point is the main problem most vinyl fans have with microfiber. Tumble dry low or no heat.

3. Never use fabric softener. Fabric softener leaves behind residue that lessens the functionality of microfiber and will probably just end up on the surface of your records. It's gross!

4. Microfiber cloths work in a special way. Medium pressure and a slow wiping motion allow the fibers to work and align themselves on the surface.


Whether or not microfiber cloths truly are a healthy part of cleaning vinyl records is something I cannot know at this stage. Some microfiber cloths have shorter fibers, some higher quality examples are far denser than others (higher quality). I'm still experimenting to get my cleaning situation down to a science.