Tips for using ultrasonic vinyl record cleaners

Pre-clean your record beforehand, you’ll thank us later. This could be as simple as a cleaning kit with a felt pad and some good old-fashioned vinyl cleaning spray. If you’ve already splashed out you might own something like the Pro-Ject VCE record cleaning machine, which does a more thorough job of basic cleaning.
Pairing a pre-clean with any ultrasonic vinyl record cleaner is the way to go. When you’re done, sit back and enjoy your music. 

How do ultrasonic vinyl record cleaners work?

Cleaners like these are used to safely deep-clean delicate jewellery, so this is not an abrasive or destructive method. Ultrasonic vinyl record cleaners use the same tried and tested scientific principle to effectively 'vibrate' those dastardly dust particles out of the grooves.
For vinyl record cleaning a machine will usually have a reservoir partly filled with cleaning solution. Some machines heat the fluid to a safe temperature. After placing your vinyl on a motorised spindle, the machine rotates the record through the solution, avoiding the all-important label.
The real magic happens with the addition of ultrasonic waves. These travel through the fluid at high frequency, creating tiny air bubbles which essentially shake the dirt from the record. With the addition of a surfactant to your cleaning solution, the dirt floats to the bottom of the machine, leaving your record much cleaner than before. 

What features should you look for?

So, you've taken your prize record collection out of your trusty vinyl storage crate and taken a good look at the grooves. The features you're most likely to need will be down to you. Since most ultrasonic vinyl record cleaners can handle most kinds of grime, you should have good results no matter which machine you choose.
There are always differences between ultrasonic record cleaning machines though; more often than not when it comes to practicalities like cleaning time, recommended cleaning solution and drying time. The answer here is to think carefully about what you expect from a machine. Here are some key features to keep an eye out for: 

Tank size
Depending on how many records you're likely to be cleaning in one go, you'll need a tank that's large enough to hold enough fluid to avoid frequent refills. If you're only going to clean in small batches, tank size is much less of an issue.

Manual vs automatic
You may be a collector who likes to take full control of your record cleaning. But if you’d rather entrust all of that to the right machine, look for partly or fully automatic functions

Removable water tanks
You don’t always want to throw away your cleaning solution, so looking for a removable tank may work for those who don’t mind lifting and pouring. Others might prefer an ultrasonic vinyl record cleaner with a built-in pump to empty the tank 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is an ultrasonic record cleaner worth it?

Unsurprisingly, this all comes down to your budget. More costly machines do have an impressive array of bells and whistles, but you probably don't need all of them to still end up with a well-cleaned record. You might decide that a vinyl LP that’s seen a lot of action is hardly worth cleaning. As for the rest, what price you put on your listening pleasure is down to you - but remember: clean records need good amplifiers for turntables, and speakers that are up to the job. 

Are ultrasonic vinyl record cleaners dangerous?

Ultrasonic sound waves at the frequencies used by these machines are safe to be around. We wouldn’t recommend putting your head inside one to see if it sounds like experimental jazz though. 

What cleaning solution should I use?

The vast majority of devices will work with distilled water, as this contains no minerals or pollutants that may leave a residue on the record. Many collectors recommend adding a few drops of 'surfactant' - a vinyl-safe chemical that encourages the dirt to attract itself to the fluid, not the record. 
Depending on your budget you should look at how pricey the recommended cleaning solution will be. As the proud owner of a spanking-new ultrasonic cleaner, you may not appreciate the ongoing cost of a replacement solution just for the sake of following the manufacturer's advice.

How long is the cleaning cycle?

As the record rotates through its ultrasonic bath, there's usually a timer running. Often there are different options here, from light to deeper cleaning, which means a shorter or longer run-time. Typically anywhere from five to 10 minutes will be enough, followed by a 10-minute drying cycle - but this will vary depending on the ambient temperature of the room you’re cleaning in. 

How noisy are ultrasonic vinyl record cleaners?

With great power comes the potential for a great deal of noise. These machines work by generating high-frequency sound waves, so it's not totally unexpected for them to make some amount of audible noise. How much you think you can handle will depend on how close you are to it while it's on. The rated sound level, in decibels, can normally be found in the specifications. Where they’re not listed, user reviews are your best friend.