Record care guide
How to look after your records and your stylus
Dust causes much of the crackle you hear on vinyl. A few seconds before each record, a proper clean now and then and the right way to store them: that's all it takes to keep your records sounding clear.
Every time you play
Three habits before every record
Hold it by the edges
Fingertips leave grease on the grooves, and grease holds on to dust. Hold the record by its edge and its label.
Brush off the dust
Rest an anti-static brush lightly on the turning record for one or two turns, then sweep it towards the edge. It takes about ten seconds.
Keep the lid down
Close the dust cover between records, so dust doesn't settle on the platter or the stylus.
Your stylus
Look after the only part that touches the record
The stylus follows the groove. Dust that builds up on its tip ends up in the groove and dulls the sound.
Clean it with a stylus brush, gently, from back to front: the same direction the record passes beneath it. Never brush sideways, and never touch the tip with your fingers.
If the sound stays dull or harsh on a clean record, the stylus may be worn. Send us your order number and we'll tell you what to do.
A deeper clean
Fingerprints or ingrained dirt? Clean it in four steps
Our 5-in-1 care kit has what you need: an alcohol-free spray, a velvet brush, a microfibre cloth and a stylus brush.
Spray the brush, not the record
Apply a little alcohol-free cleaner to the velvet brush or the cloth rather than flooding the record, and keep it off the label.
Follow the groove
Wipe gently in a circular motion, following the grooves, never across them.
Finish with microfibre
Use the soft microfibre cloth to lift what's left and dry the surface.
Let it dry completely
Wait until the record is fully dry before playing it or sliding it back into its sleeve.
Storing your records
Where and how to keep your collection
Upright, never stacked
Store records standing up, like books. Piled flat, the weight on the bottom ones can warp them over time.
Away from heat and sun
Keep them away from radiators and sunny windows: heat warps vinyl.
Sleeve first, then cover
Slide each record back into its inner sleeve before the cover, so the card doesn't scratch it.
Everything for record care
Questions
Record care questions
Can a record player damage my records?
A record player in good condition, with a clean stylus and the arm lowered gently, plays your records without damaging them. Dust and a worn stylus are what wear records down, which is why the habits on this page matter.
How often should I clean my records?
Brush them before every side. Give them a wet clean when you see fingerprints, hear more crackle than usual, or after a long time in storage.
Can I use household cleaning products?
It's best not to. Use a cleaner made for records, such as the alcohol-free spray in our care kit, applied to the brush or cloth rather than straight onto the record.
How do I clean the stylus?
With a stylus brush, from back to front only, in the direction the record passes beneath it. Never sideways, and never with your fingers.
My record skips. What should I do?
Check that the player stands on a flat, stable surface, then clean the record and the stylus. If it still skips, send us your order number and a short description and we'll help.
How should I store my records?
Upright, in their inner sleeves, away from heat and direct sunlight.
A question about your record player?
Message us on WhatsApp or email us with your order number. We'll help you look after it.
Our team replies Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.