Sorry I missed the record cleaning machine mention. Agreed long time. I hate record meaning machines tbh - it’s annoying but you can actually do better with a very soft toothbrush, Dawn soap and a dish drying rack. Sleeves being ruined is a big bummer, sorry to hear about this!
500 albums in a basement flood--worth saving?
Hi--just had 6' high (relatively clean) water fill basement during recent hurricane/tropical storm. Lost everything down there including 500 albums: some late 60's rock, 70's & early 80's rock, some jazz and a few classical, most in pretty good shape prior to this. Couple of Original Master Recordings. No turntable at the moment. Insurance not covering. Question: is it worth peeling/discarding album covers, buying 500 new sleeves, buying record cleaning machine (lots of time & labor), or just toss the lot? Are they worth anything without the covers, just inner sleeves (what type are best, paper or plastic?)? What is average value? TIA.