Can I clean my records manually?

TBG, what is it about the machines that enables them to clean better? Better vacuum, better scrubbing or appication? What could the science be behind your intuition?

Audiofeil,that's what suspected. However, as I meant to say earlier, I was looking for someone to give specific reaons why machines worked better.

Thanx gentlemen, can you give me the ratio of alcohol to water?.

TBG, I understand. I was looking for education and enlightenment. I'm knew to vinyl (at this level anyway) and want to maximize my listening enjoyment. I sincerely was looking to everyone hear to list the benenefits of a RCM over the method I described so I can evaluate the situation.

Still waiting.

"Do the math on a 2 gm tracking force on a .05 x .07 mm line stylus ..."

Yeah right!! I trust you.

Anyone know a good ratio for Alcohol:Water for the cleaning solution?

thanx

Ok, so, since I started this post I decided to go the manual route. My routine has rendered many of my records down to only a few ticks per side with only one cleaning. Here it is:

1. Begin with a good steam bath! I have a clothes steamer which looks like a canister vacuum but actually shoots out steam instead of vaccuuming. The attachment is perfect for covering the surface of the record.

2. Scrub with Record Research Lab cleaner.

3. Another steam to rinse and lift out the crud

3. Vacuum with a shopvac.

Can someone tell me how a RCM could do a better job???? (Serious question not retorical!)

TBT, right now I have more time than money so...

But, if/when I get some extra pocket money, I'm trying to understand why I would need a RCM.

Sound like you're telling me that I could be doing damage to my records that could accumulate and have a long term detrimental effect?

I'm using RRL cleaner, a dedicated cleaning brush that I rinse after each record with distilled water.

Maybe the only thing that might be risky is the vacuuming. However, I cover the tool in a clean cotton cloth. Could I be damaging my LPs??