It’s nothing short of amazing how long the LP has been around and that it still holds a place dear to many of us, despite requiring a bit of maintenance and careful setup to get the best out of it. The surface noise was always the thing that we most wanted to fix, and the methods of cleaning and de-static-ing that have been marketed over the years are countless. There has been nothing in between the cheap cleaning pads of various sorts and the top-line cleaning machines (which can be up around $1000) until now: the Spin-Clean Record Washer Mk2 ($135) is now available and has received acclaim from audiophile magazines like The Absolute Sound and Stereophile, among others.
It is essentially a narrow tank to contain clean water and a small quantity of special cleaning fluid. Two rollers support the 12” LP (with alternate positions for other sizes) and two brushes in the middle do the cleaning while you rotate the record three times clockwise and three times more, anti-clockwise.
The Spin-Clean fluid is applied directly onto the brushes, and as the record rotates the brushes get the dirt and other matter out of the grooves and it goes into the water then, due to the chemical action of the cleaning fluid, sinks to the bottom of the tank. This means (a) it doesn’t re-attach to the LP, and (b) you can use the same mixture for more LPs. Each batch of water/fluid additive is said to be good for up to 50 LPs. Your initial batch will be enough for 700 cleans! The fluid contains no alkalines, soap solutions or phosphates, and is bio-degradeable.
Each LP has to be wiped dry with one of the reusable lint-free cloths provided. The process is also claimed to reduce static. No residue is left on the record. The simplicity of the concept is its strength, as it does the job at minimal cost, and more thoroughly than other cheap methods.
Will your LPs be completely silent-surfaced after cleaning? That depends on the state of the vinyl itself, and what damage might be present in the grooves. But you can be sure that noise caused by dirt will be greatly reduced if not eliminated. Only a very hardened-on adhesion (those things that cause backtracks) might remain after the bath treatment.
Spare rollers, brushes, drying cloths and refills can all be purchased separately as follow-on buys as you use the initial supplies up. The starter kit includes the washer basin and lid, two rollers, two brushes, 4 0z. Cleaning Fluid concentrate, two reusable drying cloths. In summary, every home blessed with a record collection needs this beaut little device!