You can have all the gear in the world, but if you’ve got a dirty record, no amount of gadgetry will make it sound good! The record is the actual source of the music, not the turntable, so never underestimate the importance of keeping your vinyl fluff free and squeaky clean!
Yes, Record Cleaning Machines are the absolute best way to clean your precious vinyl, but as with everything that goes with this particular love of ours, they do not come cheap!
You’ve most likely shelled out thousands for your turntable and accessories by now (don’t worry, it’s our secret), and your record collection could potentially pay off your mortgage, so what’s another few hundred pounds (or up to a thousand) between friends?
Record Cleaning Machines are essentially dumb turntables that clean rather than play your records… They’re similar looking but not as pretty (or expensive!). Much like turntables there is a pecking order in RCMs as well. A bit like taking your car to the local auto car wash, you can go for the basic quick wash or the super duper polish. It’s totally up to you as to how much you can spend but generally speaking a decent one will set you back about £500.
We could go through a list of the best, but someone’s already done that so click here for Paul Rigby’s 8 Best Record Cleaning Machines.
When you’re done with that, here is a great article by Louder Sound that will take you to the next level of cleaning, including how to deal with scratches and the best ways to store your records to avoid damage.
