Investigation
Do You Really Need to Rinse After Cleaning?
A closer look at the rinse step and the questions behind it.
The one bit of advice I give anyone who asks about cleaning records is to always rinse the record after cleaning. It is the most important step in any cleaning process. There is one reason for this, and you’ll see this word in most every article or paper I publish on the subject…
Residue.
It doesn’t matter what cleaning fluid is used, be it a commercial product or one mixed at home: if the cleaning solution isn’t removed, some of its ingredients can remain there when the liquid evaporates. Even if that statement isn’t absolute, would you want to take the chance? Your stylus will encounter any contaminants remaining in the groove.
Look at it this way: to break the surface tension, a decent cleaning fluid will contain a surfactant. That ensures the water flows into the groove and doesn’t simply bead on the record’s surface. Now that fluid sits in the groove along with whatever oils, dirt, or materials it has loosened.
So now what?
Do you…
- Air-dry in a rack?
- Wipe it clean with a clean microfiber cloth?
- Extract it with a record vacuum machine?
- Rinse it clean with distilled water either manually or in an ultrasonic machine?
In my process, #3 and #4 work together. I actually run through two rinse cycles to ensure any remaining surfactant is both diluted and removed.
What about #1 and #2?
If #1 is preceded by a thorough rinse, it should be fine. Skip the rinse and any surfactant remaining in the groove will dry in the groove.
#2 can work too as long as the fluid is wiped away, followed by a thorough rinse, then wiped clean again with a different cloth.
The key to all of this is a final rinse with distilled water. The cleaning fluid removes contaminants. The rinse finishes the job. If you can thoroughly remove the rinse with a record vacuum machine, all the better. I have my recommendations here.
Whatever method you use, don’t chance leaving a chemical residue behind and hoping for the best. A distilled water rinse gives anything left behind a final chance to leave with the water.