National Album Day 2026
October 12, 2026
National Album Day falls on Saturday 17th October this year. The idea is simple: choose an album and listen to it from start to finish.
For vinyl collectors, that probably doesn’t sound too unusual.
But it’s a good excuse to pull out an old favourite, finally open something that’s been sitting on the shelf, or give a record you’ve overlooked another play.
Before you put side A on, it’s worth spending a few minutes getting your record (and your turntable) ready.
Start with a clean record
Dust and debris settle on records whether they’re played regularly or spend most of their time on the shelf. Once they’re in the grooves, you’ll hear them.
For a quick clean before playing, use a brush to lift away loose surface dust. Hold it lightly against the record as it turns, then sweep towards the edge rather than leaving the dust behind.
If a record needs more attention, particularly second-hand records or anything that hasn’t been cleaned for a while, a wet clean can help remove dirt deeper in the grooves.
Use a suitable record cleaning solution with a clean microfibre cloth, working gently around the grooves. Make sure the record is completely dry before playing it or putting it back into its sleeve.
Our record cleaning kits contain the essentials for regular record and stylus care. The 5-in-1 kit covers a regular cleaning routine, while the 7-in-1 kit adds a label protector to keep the centre label dry while you clean.
For larger collections, a record cleaning machine makes it easier to clean records in batches.
Check your stylus
There’s not much point in cleaning a record if the stylus is covered in dust.
Check the tip before you play and, if necessary, give it a clean. A carbon fibre stylus brush will remove everyday build-up. Always brush gently from the back of the stylus towards the front, never from side to side.
If you’d rather not use a brush, the Dust Buster uses a soft gel pad instead. Lower the stylus onto the surface and lift it away again to remove dust from the tip.
It only takes a few seconds, so it’s worth making a habit of.
Then press play
An old favourite or something you’ve never heard all the way through. First pressing or a £5 record you picked up last weekend. It doesn’t particularly matter.
National Album Day is really just an excuse to give an album your full attention.
Put side A on. Listen through. Turn it over.
That’s it.
What we’re playing
So what’s going on the turntable at Spincare HQ? We asked the team.
Anthony's pick
Rubber Soul
The Beatles
Short, sweet and utterly sublime. The first thing I want to do when it finishes is play it again, which is the best kind of album. It also happens to contain my favourite Fab Four track, 'In My Life'.
Jon's pick
Fallen
Evanescence
It was one of the first albums of the female-fronted nu-metal era that really caught my attention (another was Lacuna Coil's Comalies). It's very atmospheric and has so many songs I still listen to today. I think this album is the reason I gravitate towards female-fronted bands now.
Also on Jon's shortlist: Halsey, Badlands; Foo Fighters, The Colour and the Shape; Avril Lavigne, Under My Skin; Spiritbox, Tsunami Sea; Alter Bridge, One Day Remains; Linkin Park, Meteora.
Paul's pick
One Day Remains
Alter Bridge
This was the album that defined how I wanted my guitar tone to sound. I was lucky enough to be at their first-ever UK show, where they played the album in full. I've been to see them 17 times since.
Will's pick
Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
With this year's Icons theme in mind, I've chosen Bryter Layter, my favourite of Nick Drake's three studio albums. It's a record I'd choose to listen to from start to finish on a quiet autumn evening as the nights start drawing in.
Laura's pick
folklore: the long pond studio sessions
Taylor Swift
I love the softer sound of the Long Pond sessions. 'This Is Me Trying' is probably my favourite: the lyrics, the arrangement, that intro. Gorgeous. I already loved 'Illicit Affairs', but there's something so raw about hearing 60,000 people sing that bridge at the top of their lungs. Seeing it live at the Eras Tour made me appreciate it even more.
I'll happily listen to the whole album from start to finish with a glass of wine. Or maybe not happily, because it's so incredibly sad.
Look after it when you’re finished
Once the last track finishes, the right sleeve will help keep the record clean and protected until next time.
If the original paper sleeve is worn, dirty or shedding fibres, it’s worth replacing it with an anti-static HDPE sleeve. Our AUDIOPHILE inner sleeves use a structured three-ply construction for long-term storage, while DYNAMIC inner sleeves use lightweight HDPE with a rounded edge for easy everyday handling.
The cover deserves looking after too. An outer record sleeve helps protect the artwork from the everyday wear that comes from handling and storing records on the shelf.
Enjoy National Album Day
However you spend it, we hope you find some time on Saturday 17th October to sit down with a record you love and give it a proper listen.
