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Record Cleaning Machine FAQs

Getting Started

How does the cleaning machine work?

The machine is hand-powered - there is no motor or vacuum. You rotate the record through the velvet brushes by hand, cleaning both sides simultaneously. The cleaning solution and brushes work together to loosen and lift dirt from the grooves.

Is the cleaning machine better than using a spray and cloth?

It is a more thorough process. The machine cleans both sides of the record simultaneously and provides a deeper clean than a spray and cloth alone. It also increases throughput significantly if you are working through a large collection.

Does the machine clean 7-inch and 10-inch records as well as 12-inch?

Yes. The machine cleans 7-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch records. The rollers reposition in a few seconds for different sizes.

Does the machine work with 180g and 200g pressings?

Yes. The machine handles 140g, 180g and 200g pressings.

If the machine is new, run a few 140g records first - the brushes benefit from 10-20 records to bed in before working freely on heavier pressings.

Can the cleaning machine be used on styrene records?

We would not recommend it. We have not tested our cleaning solution on styrene records, so we cannot confirm whether it is safe.

Can I use your machine alongside an ultrasonic record cleaner?

Yes, they work well together. If your ultrasonic cleaner is not fully shifting stubborn dirt, use our machine first as a pre-treatment step to loosen and lift debris before the ultrasonic bath.

Many customers who combine the two report better results than either machine alone.

Can I use your machine alongside a vacuum record cleaner?

Yes. Our machine is a good pre-treatment step for heavily soiled records before vacuum cleaning. The combination is particularly effective on records where vacuum cleaning alone has not removed deep-set contamination.

Can I clean picture discs with the Spincare Record Cleaning Machine?

Yes, picture discs can be cleaned using our record cleaning machine. The machine can help remove dirt, dust, and surface contamination that may be affecting playback quality.

However, picture discs are inherently noisier than standard vinyl records due to their construction, including the PVC foil layers used in manufacture.

Cleaning can improve issues caused by dirt or residue, but it cannot fix noise caused by the disc’s materials or manufacturing. So in short: yes, you can safely clean picture discs with the machine, but cleaning should not be expected to make a picture disc as quiet as a standard vinyl record.

Water & Cleaning Solution

How much water and cleaning solution should I use?

The basin holds approximately 650ml of distilled or deionised water. Add 4 capfuls (approximately 20ml) of cleaning solution.

For heavily soiled records, increase to up to 6 capfuls, or change the solution more frequently.

Can I use tap water with the machine?

No. Tap water contains contaminants that vary by region - including minerals and heavy metals that can be harmful to vinyl. Use distilled, deionised or reverse osmosis water.

Can I use filtered water?

Filtered water is an improvement over tap water but is not ideal. Filtration is designed to improve taste and health safety, not to remove every substance from the water. Some minerals that can harm vinyl may still be present.

We recommend distilled or deionised water where possible.

Can I use reverse osmosis (RO) water?

Yes. Reverse osmosis water is fine to use with the machine.

Why do you use an alcohol-based cleaning solution?

Alcohol (isopropanol) is effective, safe for vinyl, and dries very quickly - reducing the risk of records being re-sleeved while still damp. We also use a surfactant to improve cleaning action.

The main limitation is that it cannot be used on shellac records. If you have shellac in your collection, a non-alcohol solution is essential. Our machine works with both.

Can the cleaning solution be used more than once?

No. Discard the solution after each cleaning session. Reusing contaminated solution puts the dirt straight back onto the record.

How many records can I clean before changing the solution?

Around 50 lightly soiled records or 25 heavily soiled records per basin. If you are cleaning a mix, start with the cleaner records and work toward the dirtier ones.

If you are unsure whether the solution still has life in it, pour some into a clear glass - if it is dark or discoloured, change it.

How long does the solution last once the bottle is opened?

Use within 12 months of opening. Store with the cap tightly sealed, in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

How many ml is one capful of solution?

One capful is approximately 20ml.

Can I use your cleaning solution with other machines?

Yes. It works with manual, ultrasonic and vacuum machines.

1000ml solution:

  • 2 capfuls per 650ml distilled water
  • 1 capful per 325ml
  • 0.5 capfuls per 160ml

150ml or 500ml solution:

  • 4 capfuls per 650ml distilled water
  • 2 capfuls per 325ml
  • 1 capful per 160ml

Once diluted, use within 5-7 days.

Can I use your cleaning fluid with other record cleaning machines?

Yes. Previous customers have had good results with the Knosti Disco Antistat, Spin Clean and Pro-Ject VC-E.

Use a ratio of 40 parts distilled or deionised water to 1 part cleaning solution (25ml per 1000ml). Our solution contains alcohol and should not be used on shellac records.

Results & Aftercare

Can the machine remove mould stains and heavy dirt deposits?

Yes. The solution and velvet pads loosen the staining, and the microfibre cloth removes what is lifted. Heavily soiled records may need a second pass.

How long should records dry before I re-sleeve them?

Approximately 1 hour. Our solution is alcohol-based, so it dries much faster than non-alcohol alternatives. Always re-sleeve into an HDPE inner sleeve, not paper.

What inner sleeve do you recommend after cleaning?

An HDPE inner sleeve - our Audiophile or Dynamic ranges are ideal. HDPE is anti-static, anti-scratch and smooth.

Avoid paper sleeves. They are abrasive, leave fibres in the grooves, and undo much of the benefit of cleaning.

Does the cleaning machine have an anti-static effect?

Yes. The cleaning solution and pads help dissipate static. Re-sleeving into an HDPE inner sleeve after cleaning maintains that benefit - paper inner sleeves can reintroduce static.

Mk1 & Mk2

How do I know which version of the machine I have?

The Mk2 machine has a fill line marked on the basin. The Mk1 does not.

What is the difference between the Mk1 and Mk2 cleaning pads?

The Mk2 foam is softer, making records easier to insert and remove. Visually, the Mk1 has a smooth back; the Mk2 has a central groove that helps it seat correctly in the Mk2 machine. Mk2 pads can be used in a Mk1 machine with no issue.

Can I use Mk2 pads with an original Mk1 machine?

Yes, and we recommend it. The Mk2 pads are an improvement and work well in both machine versions.

Can I use Mk1 pads with a Mk2 machine?

No. The Mk1 pads are not compatible with the Mk2 machine.

Troubleshooting

Why do my records sound worse after cleaning?

This usually means dirt was disturbed but not fully removed during cleaning. It has been deposited on your stylus rather than lifted off the record. Clean your stylus first - you should notice an immediate improvement.

If the problem recurs, clean the same record twice, or use more solution to help the microfibre cloth lift stubborn debris. On heavily soiled or very old records, multiple cleaning cycles may be needed.

Why is there white residue building up on my stylus after cleaning?

This is almost always caused by microfibre cloths not being washed before first use. The manufacturing process leaves loose fibres in new cloths.

Wash them at 30 degrees without fabric softener before using the machine, and test with a low-value record first. If the problem persists after washing, contact us.

I washed the cloths but I'm still getting white residue on my stylus - what should I do?

Stop using the cloths immediately and contact us. If washing has not resolved it, the cloths may be defective and we will replace them.

The lint build-up is soft and will not damage your stylus or records, but will temporarily affect sound quality. Playing the affected records once or twice will clear it from the stylus.

Why do the velvet pads keep coming out when I remove the record?

Not a fault - it can happen occasionally with thicker pressings. To prevent it: hold the record by its edges, rotate it clockwise (with the grooves) as you lift, and keep it on the roller until it is clear of the pads before removing from the bath.

Maintenance

How often should I replace the rollers?

Replace the rollers when the rubber starts to perish or when records no longer turn smoothly. This is typically around 500 records cleaned.

How often should I replace the velvet brushes?

Replace the velvet brushes when they show signs of wear such as balding - typically after around 500 records. Cleaning the brushes regularly to remove build-up extends their lifespan and maintains cleaning performance.