While cleaning the basement, I found hundreds of vinyl records–LPs, 45s and 78s. Most are in good condition, but some are missing the album jackets and/or sleeves. What is the best way to clean and store them?
— P.S., Chicago
Dave Kuner, assistant manager of Jazz Record Mart in Chicago, suggested the vinyl records be cleaned and put in a protective covering as soon as possible. Kuner favors the archival record-storage system found at Bags Unlimited Inc. in Rochester, N.Y. (800-767-2247).
“Chicago seems to love us,” says Marion Oyer, general manager at Bags Unlimited. “We tend to do a lot of business there with collectors and stores.”
Oyer says the first thing that should be done is to clean the records. Oyer suggests using a lint-free sponge or cleaning cloths. Bags Unlimiteds appropriately named Groovy Cleaner comes in a 4-ounce bottle that cleans 50 records ($6). They also offer a package of two sponges ($5) and cleaning cloths ($2 each).
Oyer shared these tips for cleaning vinyl records:
– Do not wet the label.
– Air dry overnight.
– To prevent mildew, do not store damp.
Oyer says if the original jacket and/or sleeves are missing there are paper sleeves and replacement jackets. A pack of 100 white paper sleeves is $13.30; 100 poly-lined paper sleeves, $24.15; and a pack of 50 replacement jackets is $27.95. Bags Unlimited also sells polybags to protect the album covers.
“The old ones are really works of art that you want to keep in good condition,” Oyer says.
Bags Unlimited ships in two weeks. The prices quoted include delivery to Illinois.
———-
E-mail questions to You Asked at home&[email protected].