Many people recommend cleaning their vinyl albums with alcohol wipes. While this works well, it’s not recommended for all types of surfaces. Some materials will react badly to alcohol. For example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a common material used in the manufacture of record jackets. Alcohol can dissolve PVC and ruin the finish. Other materials such as glass and metal are more resistant to alcohol but still require caution.
Instead of using alcohol, you can use rubbing alcohol mixed with water. Simply mix equal parts of alcohol and water. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and gently rub the surface of your record. Don’t let the liquid soak into the record itself because this could damage the grooves. Allow the record to dry completely before moving it.
You can also use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean your vinyl. Ultrasonic cleaners work by generating high-frequency sound waves at a frequency between 20 kHz and 100 kHz. These vibrations break up dirt and debris lodged deep within the grooves of your records. They do not harm the vinyl itself. However, they may cause minor discoloration.