GoKawiilThat's where vacuum suction or ultrasonic cleaners come in. Fancy record-cleaning machines like this one from Pro-Ject ($450) use a platter and a vacuum system to physically suck the cleaning solution out of the grooves, with a motor that spins the record in two directions. Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound to essentially shake debris and oil from the grooves. Both work very well to ensure that the dirt, dust, and grime are actually coming out of the tiny grooves on your record.
Tools of the Trade
If you're going the suction route, you can buy an all-in-one record cleaner like the one made by Pro-Ject above, or if you're feeling frugal, you can simply buy one of these awesome Vinyl Vac attachments ($30) that attaches to a standard wet-dry vacuum hose.
Then, all you need is cleaning solution ($35), a cheap paintbrush ($7) to evenly distribute the solution, and of course a vacuum to attach the Vinyl Vac head to. It really helps to have an old record player or spindle that can slowly spin the record as you vacuum the solution out of the grooves. I like to look for old or broken record players at thrift shops to serve this purpose, since all you need is a table that physically spins by hand, not that plays music. I have been startled by the results I've gotten cleaning my records using this DIY system, taking crusty old records to shiny clean masterpieces in just a few minutes.
If you want to clean records ultrasonically, I recommend a mid-tier generic ultrasonic cleaner like this one ($425). (A premium model will run you about twice as much, but it does the exact same thing.) The ultrasonic cleaner vibrates the cleaning solution around the records at a super-high frequency, which causes the grit and grime stuck in the grooves to just fall right off the record and into the cleaning basin. It's automated too, with a motor keeping the records spinning in the temperature-controlled solution.
This is the best method for folks who have big collections, because you can clean multiple discs at once; most of these machines can handle eight LPs or 7-inches at a time. Once the records are clean, you just place them on the included drying rack.
A simple record cleaning machine. Courtesy of Amazon
How to Clean
Once you've got your vacuum system or ultrasonic system set up, it's essentially a wax-on, wax-off situation.
For the vacuum method, spread the cleaning solution on the record while spinning it, making sure to fill every groove. Use your paintbrush to help distribute the solution, using as little pressure as possible. Let the record sit for 10 to 20 seconds with cleaner on it. Then use the vacuum nozzle to suck up the liquid while turning the record. Being sure to get as much as possible off the record before allowing any residual liquid to evaporate.