Photoflow liquid for cleaning records free#

Usually the microfiber cloth you use to do the spreading of the solution over the surface of the disc is all you need as far as scrubbing is concerned. By getting the water spread smoothly - without sheets of water in one spot and dry spots without any water in another - and allowing the surfactant to ease the water into the depths and nooks and crannies of the groove the water does the actual cleaning along with any 'scrubbing' that might be required for the very most stubborn crud. The surfactant allows the water to flow smoothly and competely but adds little to nothing to the actual task of cleaning the disc. However, you only need a drop or two of surfactant per cup of water to get the desired effect of the surfactant so you can view this just as I do the use of Everclear vs isopropyl, a bit of expense up front will be spread out over hundreds of discs.

Photoflow liquid for cleaning records free#

You can use a more expensive surfactant if you like (PhotoFlow is typically suggested) but anything beyond a simple phosphate, coloring agent, perfume free laundry detergent will raise the cost to benefits ration by a significant margin. The detergent/surfactant breaks the water tension just as a drop of detergent in a cup of water allows a needle to drop rather than float. Therefore, my solution is a cup of distilled water from the grocery ($0.79) mixed with one-two drops of All 'Clear' laundry detergent which acts as a surfactant. The use of distilled water is fine IMO since anything with higher purity raises the cost to benefits ratio beyond what I can hear through my system.

A $20 fifth of Everclear has lasted for a few years since it is seldom deployed in my cleaning regimen. On the rare occasion I use alcohol of any type I prefer Everclear rather than the less pure isopropyl type. I reserve alcohol for only the filthiest of discs with grime that refuses to be lifted by a water/surfactant solution - which would be a very few in my experience. There really is no need for any alcohol being put in the cleaning solution IMO.

The 10:6 ratio of water to alcohol is once again overkill. I don't think this is what you want on your vinyl. Most dishwashing detergents are far too harsh and have the ability to strip the color and metallic plating from objects. I agree the dishwashing detergent is overkill if not a plain killer. I never type these three letters, ever, never before, but O.M.G. Then add the solution above to a round microfiber pad and clean in circular moton.Īfter that, the record has some fluid on it, but then, add distilled water, et voila! The water sheets off and clean dry record in no time at all! Took a finger printed, smudged, mildew stuck to LP, dirty copy of Rusty Warren's 'Knockers Up' and took it from 'Eww, Cooties' to 'Crikies! That's clean!'įirst, rinse with water from that thing in the sink that is supposed to make your water healthier. 'Micro Fiber' towels and round cleaning pads from Auto Zone. I been trying to the last few days and have come up with Buddha's Fluids V1.0.ģ drops Cascade Crystal Clear (sheeting agent.)ġ big drop (thick drop?) Sun Light 'Oxi Action' dishwasher liquid. Now, it's the mother of home brewed record cleaning. I used to say, 'Necessity is the mother of strange bedfellows.'