It is bad to touch a vinyl record with your hands. The oils and dirt on your hands can transfer to the record surface, attracting dust and debris. Over time, this can cause the record to become dirty and scratched, which can lead to poor sound quality and skipping.
How to handle vinyl records properly
The best way to handle vinyl records is by the outer edges. Avoid touching the playing surface of the record with your fingers. If you do accidentally touch the record, clean it immediately with a record brush or record cleaning solution.
Here are some additional tips for handling vinyl records properly:
- Wash your hands before handling your records.
- Avoid touching the records with sweaty or greasy hands.
- If you have long hair, tie it back so that it doesn’t get caught on the record.
- When picking up a record, hold it by the outer edges with both hands.
- Place the record on the turntable carefully, avoiding any sudden movements.
- Use a record brush to clean the record before and after playing it.
- Store your records in a clean, dry place.
Why is it important to handle vinyl records properly?
Vinyl records are delicate and can be easily damaged. By handling them properly, you can help to keep them in good condition and extend their lifespan.
Here are some of the problems that can occur if you don’t handle vinyl records properly:
- Dirt and dust can accumulate on the record surface. This can cause the record to skip, and it can also damage the stylus on your record player.
- Fingerprints can attract dust and debris. This can also cause the record to skip, and it can also make the record look dirty.
- Scratches can damage the record grooves. This can lead to pops, clicks, and other surface noise.
- Warps can cause the record to wobble on the turntable. This can lead to poor sound quality and skipping.
How to clean a vinyl record
If your vinyl record is dirty, you can clean it using a record brush or record cleaning solution.
To clean a record with a brush, simply brush the record in a circular motion, starting from the center of the record and working your way out to the edges.
To clean a record with a record cleaning solution, follow the instructions that come with the solution. Most record cleaning solutions require you to rinse the record with water after cleaning it.
It is important to handle vinyl records properly to avoid damaging them. By following the tips above, you can help to keep your records in good condition and extend their lifespan.