Like 199a6 I have used Last Record Preservative and Last Power Cleaner on all new records worth keeping since Last first appeared in the late '60's or early '70's. Cleaning a new record with Power Cleaner often removes a layer of "grunge" that new records have, and the Last Record Preservative (which claims to prevent 50 playings) lives up to its hype. I can take a record from 1970 and it can sound brand new (better than new, actually, because it was Power Cleaned first.) I have never bought a wash machine because I have never felt the need for it.
The Lifespan of an LP?
How many times can one play a new vinyl lp before the sound noticeably degrades? For the purpose of the exercise, assume one takes decent care of the record and has a properly set up and maintained, good quality deck and stylus. My system has been taking quantum leaps in quality over the last three years and I find myself buying more mint and near-mint vintage records on Discogs and audiophile remastered records from MoFi etc. Thanks!