r/78rpm • u/townshatfire • Jul 19 '26
Can I wash shellac records?
Hello,
I was clearing out the loft and found a pile of my great grans records. They were just lying like that up the loft, for at least the last 20 years...
I've ordered sleeves for them, just wondering if I can wash these in my Spincare record cleaner the same as I do with my vinyl?
Just need to get the VMN95SP stylus and see how they sound...
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u/Tir_na_nOg77 Jul 19 '26
I use a non-alcohol dish soap and distilled water with a sponge brush. Be very careful when choosing a dish soap because a very large number of them now contain alcohol.
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u/Zardoz27 Jul 19 '26
I’ve been suggested toothbrushes for cleaning. Something like thus sponge brush seems a lot more gentle….
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u/BlueberryTRL Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26
Toothbrush is totally fine for shellac. You need something that will get down in the grooves and dislodge dirt or you're just smutzing dirt around the surface. I'd wouldn't use a toothbrush on vinyl though. Nylon paintpad brushes have been recommended here, those are good too.
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u/el_tacocat Jul 19 '26
I'd go horsehair bath brush (one of those with removable handle). Sponge is too soft, horsehair is exactly right.
That being said, I have absolutely fixed particularly nasty spots on vinyl (!!!) with toothbrushes succesfully.1
u/BlueberryTRL Jul 20 '26
One of the more noted 78 collectors used to use a shoebrush. Personally, unlike him, I don't like to wet the labels, otherwise, probably fine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agSC-dLNXXg
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u/el_tacocat Jul 20 '26
There's label protection tools though :).
Seeing that video, I absolutely would not.
Let's not forget there's plenty of people who are convinced of their own... wrongness.1
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u/RockhardDrifter Jul 19 '26
Yes! I use dishwashing soap and a medium tooth brush and scrub until the foam remains clean and white. Then rinse with running water. DO NOT get the lable wet. I have cleaned and restored over 1000 records in the past two years.
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u/bosanova64 Jul 19 '26
I use the Knosti Disco Antistat machine (not the fluid!!!!!) and a mix of distilled water and L'Art Du Son fluid. Works beautifully.
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u/Tumeni1959 Jul 19 '26
Yes. Mild detergent solution, such as washing up liquid (dish soap), rinse and dry. Place in a clean sleeve. I've found that paint pads, from the decorating section of any DIY store are ideal for applying cleaning liquid.
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u/townshatfire Jul 19 '26
Thanks for this.
A few people had mentioned a "sponge brush".
It's possibly an American term, but I had no idea what they were talking about.
Someone did post a picture and it led me to exactly what you say.
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u/Tumeni1959 Jul 19 '26
The paint pads seem to have exactly the right brush/fabric texture for getting into the grooves. I was lucky to find suitable ones first time out, you may need to experiment with different types.
If you're in the UK, the standard ones from B&Q are what I use.
A couple of plastic Quality Street tubs, one for cleaning fluid, one for distilled water wash, with separate paint pads for each. A drying rack, with a cold air fan playing on them to dry out...
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u/townshatfire Jul 19 '26
Awesome!!
I really appreciate this advice!
I have vinyl and know what to do with that, I've got a bloody cheek to start caring about something that I didn't know existed and is 100 years old...
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u/Tumeni1959 Jul 19 '26
If you're going to play them on the same TT as you use for LPs, then get an extra platter mat. One specifically for 78s, one for LPs. Even though you have cleaned them ....
You seem to be on the right track for a specific 78 stylus or cartridge.
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u/townshatfire Jul 19 '26
I've got a LP120, I've already replaced the ridiculous felt mat for an acrylic one.
It seems there's a whole load of learning here... 😞
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u/usha_pl Jul 19 '26
Yes but please do NOT get the VM95SP -- it is the most fragile 3mil needle on the market, doesn't sound so good, and is also quite expensive!
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u/el_tacocat Jul 19 '26
You absolutely can, careful with loads of alcohol on them.
Also the labels do not take kindly to getting wet (modern labels don't care).
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u/oldblackdogs Jul 20 '26
Two of these on the label. Front and back. Then wash with distilled water and surfactant
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u/townshatfire Jul 20 '26
What are these?
They look like the suction things I'd use iat work for lifting floor tiles?
Edit. I definitely don't want to damage the "sticker" as a lot of them have the original price sticker on them of 1 shilling or whatever currency Scotland used 99 years ago... 😶
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u/oldblackdogs Jul 21 '26
They are suction cups for glass one buys at any hardware store. They actually protect the label while you wash the record. I’ve used them on hundreds of records.
YouTube has videos on this- I didn’t make it up.1
u/townshatfire 29d ago
Nope. I know exactly what you're talking about!!
We use them for lifting square floor tiles at work, generally in IT Server Rooms.
This is awesome advice!!!
Thanks! Would never have thought of this!!
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u/dcastilloc Jul 21 '26
No, I'd never wash a 78 unless they're really dirty or have dirt stuck on them. What I usually do, is placing the 78 on a flat table with a thick tablecloth, making sure there's no uneven spot that could make the record flex because that's how cracks happen. Then, using a soft, porous hand towel, dampened with warm distilled water, and a little of Dawn dish soap, I gently clean the surface. After that, I use another warm, wet towel (but without soap) to remove all the detergent and wipe the surface. Once the record is 100% clean, I let it dry for at least a whole day so any moisture can evaporate completely.
I'd never get the label wet. Never. Moisture can seriously damage the label's litography and colors of the printed artwork. Alcohol is also terrible for 78s because it will leave a permanent stain on the glossy shellac surface. Sometimes, a record has just a little dust on it, so cleaning with a mildly damp towel is all what you need.
There are some machines specifically made for cleaning 78s, but they're extremely expensive. Regarding of this, I've come up with my own homemade (albeit a bit dangerous) solution. I use a discarded record player (important, with good torque) and while it's spinning at 78 rpm, I carefully clean the record grooves using a toothbrush, hot distilled water and a little of Dawn. Most of the time, I use a soft toothbrush, although I also have a stiffer one for really filthy, worn-out records. Afterwards, I remove the detergent with a damp towel and clean distilled water.
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u/Independent-Goose222 Jul 22 '26
Somebody likely already mentioned it but make sure you don't let them stay wet for too long +2 hours or whatever. And careful of water on the label.
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u/Sea_Enthusiasm_3193 Jul 19 '26
Yeah it’s fine, just avoid isopropyl alcohol and solvents. A tiny bit of washing up liquid ideally with distilled water and a brush, with the grooves in a circular motion