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Vinyl’s made a massive comeback lately, and Gary Numan fans have definitely been along for the ride. Whether you’ve just picked up your first couple of albums or you’ve been collecting since the days, looking after your records isn’t difficult — you just need the right habits and a few simple tools.
Handling Your Records
Think of your vinyl like a photograph: you wouldn’t put your fingers all over the picture, right? Same idea here. Always hold your records by the edges or the centre label. Touching the grooves leaves oils behind, which dust loves to cling to, and that build; up will dull the sound. Fingernails can also leave tiny scratches you might not notice until you hear them.
Storing Your Collection
When you’re not spinning your favourite Numan album, give it a safe home. Keep your records upright in a cool, dry spot — heat and humidity can warp them, and once a record bends, it’s usually game over. A sturdy shelving unit like the IKEA KALLAX is a classic choice among collectors. Swap out old paper sleeves for anti static ones, and protect the outer covers with polythene sleeves
(250 gauge is a solid pick). Also, keep them out of direct sunlight unless you want your album spines to fade.
Looking After Your Turntable
Your stylus is tiny, but it does a lot of work. Dust on the needle wears down both the stylus and your records, so give it a regular clean with a proper brush or gel. And make sure your tracking force is set correctly — too heavy and you’re grinding into the grooves, too light and the needle will skate across the surface.
Handy Tools to Have Around
Carbon fibre brush — quick dusting before each play
Viny safe cleaning solution — never use household cleaners
Microfibre cloths — gentle and effective
Record cleaning machine — great if you’ve got a big collection
Distilled water — no mineral residue
Anti static sleeves and polythene outers — for proper storage
Cleaning Your Vinyl
Dryclean first: Before every play, give the record a sweep with a carbon fibre brush. Let the record spin once, lift the brush, and you’re done. It
keeps dust from getting pushed deeper into the grooves.
For deeper cleaning: If you see fingerprints or stubborn grime, go for a wet clean. Put a little cleaning solution on a microfibre cloth (never directly on the vinyl), wipe along the grooves, rinse with distilled water, and dry with a clean cloth. Let it air dry completely before playing or storing.
If you’ve got a cleaning machine: These do the heavy lifting — they spread the fluid, scrub evenly, and suction everything away. Vacuum and ultrasonic machines are especially good at pulling out the tiny particles you particles you can’t see.
See the video below for more detailed cleaning instructions.
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