(the mighty VPI cleaning machine we use here at SUGARBUSH RECORDS)
In short, yes you can. But a few things are worth bearing in mind:
1. If the record is scratched and marked and is making that horrible frying pan type noise, then it is well past it. I normally dump them in that condition. I suppose you could risk your stylus and play it one more time for old times’ sake, but it’s not really worth it.
2. If it is just dusty, full of fingermarks or even mouldy, then – yes - you can clean it. Simply run a warm tap of water, spray a little bit of liquid detergent onto each side and start gently cleaning it over the sink with the tips (not your nails!) of your fingers, then rinse it and gently dry it with some very soft tissue. Play it right away while still a little damp to get the stylus to take out any loosened dust.
3. Otherwise, buy a $500 record cleaning machine by VPI or someone like that, if you are cleaning to re-sell or cleaning your £100 records from your own collection! It’s a big outlay initially but well worth it in the long run especially if you have a big and dusty collection. Just don’t tell your wife.
