# How Do I clean my old Records **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 14, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-old-records/168719 "2003-04-14T20:06:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/57b2e6/32.png) [@Quasimodal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodal)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-old-records/168719/1 "2003-04-14T20:06:29Z")
Hello. I just bought a bunch of great old records. I was wondering if there is any way to clean them with out damaging the record (hopefully it will reduce all the pops and crackles throughout) Also does one need to clean/replace the needle of a record player periodically? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2003, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-old-records/168719/2 "2003-04-14T22:28:21Z")
First question: I did this a few years ago with 78’s. I used a well-washed basting brush and mild dish soap and water. Rinse and dry well. I used a dish rack from the dollar store to dry them in. Second question: Yes, you do, otherwise you can damage the record. I forget how often. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2003, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-old-records/168719/3 "2003-04-15T01:53:03Z")
Look for a product called **DiscWasher** ™ Made especially for cleaning vinyls. Worn needles are bad. Bad, bad, bad. Why? Because bad. Examine needle. Remove lint by dryly blowing on it. Replace if bad.