To clean or not to clean...

Clean it.

u need to examine one of your new records under blacklight, your semiconductor would puke w record stamping environmental quality…..RTI included…. maybe especially RTI…

Clean. Or not. Either way is fine. Main thing in order to establish your audiophile credibility is to obsess over it to the point of spending more time worrying and posting about your worries and reading about everyone else's than it would take to clean the damn thing and be done with it.

Excuse to get a nice US machine.

You'll look forward to cleaning.

If you feel a void, while cleaning it, you can always obsess over if your bought the best pressing. 

After cleaning, please immediately place it in a good quality sleeve. (plenty of threads in archives about which ones to consider) FWIW, even some fancy high cost reissues with nice sleeves have dusty crud in those sleeves. Some toss those sleeves and use a new clean one. 

There's a good chance you'll never need to clean the record a second time. Cheers,
Spencer

@millercarbon well put ;)
@tablejockey  i have the Mofi sleeves, a Record Doctor V and a Zerostat 3 Milty
@sbank thanks

New vinyl is likely to have microscopic remnants of mold release oil in the grooves. Drag a hot needle through it at your own risk.

I have a dishwasher brush and I clean it with that....been doing it that way since 1974.....I only deep clean with spray solution ,when I buy used ,dirty albums....you dont need to feel clean a new album right out of the plastic wrap....

At a minimum, a few spins in a SpinClean before first play.

+1 @millercarbon - I know you're SUPPOSED to clean them, because bits of stuff from the record pressing can get in the sleeve,  but sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. 

Clean it.  I run all "new to me" records (new or used) through a SpinClean (which is good at removing vinyl bits and I think the velvet brushes provide a good complement to the next step) followed by a medium Degritter clean with just 1 ml of Degritter solution.

The problem with cleaning, we're talking about records here. Record cleaning is the classic Murphy's Law work expands to fill the time available for completion. So first we scour the interwebs for cleaners. Then we scour the interwebs for advice on how to use the cleaners. Then we learn all the cleaners we bought are garbage, throw em all out, start all over again. Then we get set up and, oh darn what was the order again? So back to the interwebs by which time new authorities have arisen with new advice and so clear the counter fill the recycle bin start all over again. Eventually at some point after having spent 5X what you have in records on cleaners you never got to use it dawns on you the time available to complete this work is the heat death of the universe. Fortunately they never really need to be cleaned at all. But this usually dawns on you some time around a week after you already signed the DNR.

Clean, there's always crap on it from pressing and packaging.

Clean it. I tried both ways… overall more silent if cleaned first. 

I have always washed new vinyls with the Nitty Gritty machine but lately for new vinyls recently purchased I have decided not to wash them; I listened to some tics and pops after washing with the record washer and I'm sure they weren't there before washing.

check out Perfect Vinyl Forever if you want US clean without the investment, etc… About $10 a disc for a lotsize of 16. Spinning some i recently had them clean = superb sonics.

I run my Hunts Record Brush on brand new vinyl.  I don’t feel cleaning is necessary unless the new vinyl is noisy. 

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. I usually wait till I have a “batch” to do, so to speak. Then I clean them. For me, the biggest thing is how much static a new pressing can have. Some do, some don’t. I don’t think it is the end of the world for either the record or your cart… plenty of opinions on this all the way from don’t ever clean to clean all the time, never use tap water… bla bla bla. I do think they need to be cleaned occasionally, like once or twice a year maybe.

I clean with a VPI and new MoFi sleeve I even clean MoFI ultradisc one-step at $125  you think they would be spotless 
We spend so much time and money on our systems why not five minutes more to have it sound its best

Enjoy the Music 
Tom

I like the sound of vinyl, but I hate the clicks, pops and bad sound you can get with any album, including new ones-- even with a good pressing.

I use a ClearAudio Smart Matrix, which was spendy-- $1,600 when I bought it, and it has kept me in vinyl.  The machine does a good job of cleaning the records, removing surface dirt, mold, vinyl, etc.  Using the machine results in better sound, and fewer clicks and pops.

Cleaning your records won't make a lousy recording sound good.  But, it will keep a good recording in much better condition (and sounding) than if you don't clean them-- even when they are new.

Well worth the time (and mess) in my view.  I use Audio Intelligence fluid, followed by straight distilled water (with another brush).  That seems to me to be sufficiently obsessive and sufficiently helpful in keeping my record collection sounding good.

I clean EVERY VINYL, OLD OR NEW before ever playing it.

I clean EVERY VINYL, OLD OR NEW before ever playing it.

ditto

I clean every LP, old or new, EACH TIME BEFORE it is played.

I always clean new vinyl. I have several different "home brews" that I use with my Okki Nokki. For new vinyl, a mild solution of 4 parts distilled water, 1part alcohol, 2 drops of surfactant. That removes any residue from the manufacturing process. Also, into a MoFi sleeve. 

My record cleaning machine hardly gets used at all....yes I can hear the difference, but for me its hardly worth it.

A bad cleaning is worse than no cleaning at all.
I did a deep dive into this a while ago, including a trip to the Packard Campus of the Library of Congress. (What a cool place- most of the time was spent listening to Les Paul acetates cut direct to disc, but we did spend some time on cleaning practices, all of which was written up). It appears that the LOC has modified their online recommendations about cleaning and care. I also spent a fair amount of time experimenting with different fluids, brushes and machines.
Where I come out is pretty simple. I will, if a new record that isn’t laden with fingerprints or other crap, just pop it in the ultrasonic. But most of what I buy is older copies. I use two machines- a big Monks and an ultrasonic.
I’ve simplified my steps to the point where I can crank through a pile of records pretty quickly, running both machines. One critical factor, in my estimation, is a rinse step, using as pure a water as you can. D/I or distilled is fine, you can go the reagent grade 1 route at some expense, but my understanding is, labs make this as needed and buying it in 5 gallon carboys means that the moment you open the container, it is no longer "pure."
I also rely on commercial cleaners rather than home brew. For ultrasonic, using a surfactant raises additional issues about the removal of same. (Which is one reason I avoid home brew- it isn’t just whether the stuff lowers surface tension and acts as a detergent, but whether it is easy to remove once it has done its job).
So, having plunged into the depths of this subject, I come out with a few observations:
simplify the process to the extent possible, but an appropriate cleaning agent and a rinse step are both important;
the machinery is less important than method and good practices;
you don’t need a lot of the features offered on vacuum machines like fluid dispensing, reverse platter direction, etc.
Keeping the area around the cleaning equipment clean is also important as is cleaning the brushes and anything that comes in contact with the record.
For sleeves, I’ve tried many of the aftermarket brands and most shed. The MA Records sleeve is very nice, but pricey and not as easy to handle as some others. Interestingly, the relatively cheap round bottom Japanese inners seem to shed the least.
I don’t use dry brushes but that’s me-- I don’t think they really help.
Neil Antin (@Antinn) did a very extensive study of record cleaning practices based on science and though it isn’t a light read, there is a huge amount of information in his work; info that can be applied to manual cleaning without a machine, or with various types of RCMs, including ultrasonic.
For me, it’s not a big deal at this point. I’ll set aside time to clean 1/2 dozen to a dozen albums and just bang through them. I don’t suffer from pops and crackles, and have actually improved the sonics on a number of records that I would have written off as groove damaged. You may say, why not just buy another copy? Because some of these older, hard to find pressings command big dollars these days. It’s very rare for me to return a record to a used record vendor, but I spend some time before buying making sure the vendor is being candid about condition. Saves a lot of trouble.

Cleaned up some pretty ratty thrift store finds with the record Dr V. Pretty amazing results on some...not all...I first manually clean with vinyl revival clean/rinse and soft cloth. New records, I generally don't clean them, but I do brush then before play with the audioquest carbon fiber brush. 

Nagaoka 'Kilavolt' #103 and a carbon fiber 'bar' brush.
Clean the brush before and after.

Haven't felt the need for much else.

The 103 is unavailable, and has been for quite awhile now.
Operates on a single C battery which lasts long enough that you check it periodically to verify the cell hasn't sprung a leak or corroded.

Aim at opposite hand,push the button; you Will drop it.
(Unless you like that sort of thing....)

I can't understand why Someone hasn't duplicated it DIY.
I've opened it.
The circuit is Simple, the Element could be tricky.
Most of the $ to do the original is tied up in the plastic case molds.

NO, it goes nowhere to no one.
You will have to come Here.
By appointment, recommended.
Chain saws (among others) in building next door.
Fencing foil (among other things of potential mayhem) here, close.

...on the other hand 'that triggers', forget all of the above...

...on the count of 5, you will awake feeling dismal and distressed that your LPs' will never really ever sound 'clean'....

*Oh, Hell...* 5

I wash all the new records before to play it for the first time

To clean or not to clean...

Clean it!

I clean all new records with US cleaner before playing.

When a record hits my door...new, used, borrowed, stollen it gets cleaned and a new set of clothes....!

According to the real experts, there is no question! ALL vinyl records should be cleaned, even new ones. New records will have the residue of mold release compounds (old ones may, as well, if they've never been properly cleaned before) that should be removed, along with any other microscopic and non-microscopic detritus that may be present after pressing. There are many methods of doing this effectively. Of course, proper care, handling and storage of records are very important, as well (e.g. quality anti-static sleeves). After cleaning, you might want to consider using a product called "LAST" record preservative. Google the LAST Factory and see what you think. However, don't take my word for it. Read this:

Precision Aqueous Cleaning of Vinyl Records-2nd Edition - The Vinyl Press

Not an easy read but as informative a source on this subject as you will ever come across.  You might also want to read what the Library of Congress has to say on this, as well.

To clean or not clean a new LP depends on how much you value your cartridge and stylus, and how much you value getting the best sonics off the record.
It hurts nothing to clean prior to play so I do some form of it whether it’s a light brush or an ultrasonic clean. Proper care and your records will last a lifetime and continue to sound their best.
Also recommend cleaning the stylus periodically and replacing paper record sleeves.

I just play new LP's, and I only buy used if Very Good +, and look at them: looks clean to me, typically successfully play them.

My cleaning is for my old dirty records, ones others gave me, and if I take a chance in a used store on something I think needs and will clean well enough.

Training your brain to ignore infrequent random noise was/is part of the Vinyl experience. I had it, lost it during the many years of CD only, had to regain it. Recurring noise from scratches are regrettable, I don't buy or sell scratches.

Depends on how much you like paying for a cartridge rebuild.

Someone did an analysis of record groove gunk: he reported that it’s a third grease, and third fluff, and a third diamond dust (presumably from a stylus). That’s a grinding compound, ready and able to reshape your stylus.

No record touches my Koetsu until it’s been cleaned ultrasonically. According to a photomicrograph at 1000 hours, the stylus shows minimal wear. Even the authorized dealer advised against a rebuild.

So follow MC’s advice if you like to burn money and destroy precision instruments. I don’t.

Do not clean a brand new record other than removing the incidental dust. All the additives in record vinyl are mixed into the PVC. You can not remove them by cleaning. This includes the mold releasing agent. It works by changing the physical characteristics of the vinyl making it less sticky. This is a great example of lay intuition.

New records should be placed in a static free inner sleeve and incidental dust should be removed at each play. If you wind up with lint on your stylus you are not doing a good job. Dirty records will leave a residue on the stylus. There should be none. Clean your stylus well and play a few brand new records. Re examine the stylus gently removing any lint that it caught during play. It there any residue on the stylus? Look with magnification. If there is no residue your records are clean.

If you see finger prints on a new record that record was most likely used to test the run and played. I return those for another example.

For dust control I use a conductive sweep arm which tracks with the tonearm. It clears any incidental dust and discharges any static.  I use an isolated, hinged dust cover which is convenient to use during play. Contrary to popular belief the sound is better with it closed. It is like giving your cartridge hearing protection. There is always some static on the record. Static draws dust like a magnet. The best way to prevent dust collection on the record is to keep it covered. The only time it should be exposed to open air is in transition from the inner sleeve to the turntable and back. 

Cleaning records always entails some risk if just by accidental trauma.
There is no reason to clean a clean record. If a record starts out life noisy it has dirty recycled vinyl in it or is simply a bad pressing. Return it for a new one. Cleaning it will do nothing. The problem is other records from the same batch are likely to be just as bad. I returned 3 copies of The Cure's Disintegration before I got one that was reasonably quiet. 
 

I always at least dry brush the record.  You can get a lot of the crap off with a good dry brush.  It's crazy sometimes how much dirt can be on a new record.  I really go around it a few times and you can scoot a big pile of dirt up sometimes.  I would always at least dry clean it very well and get off what you can dry then wet clean otherwise you are making concrete with the water and dirt.  

@terry9 , @jperry  Certainly, all used records should be cleaned.
I do not buy used records. Not my thing. I never clean new ones. I have never worn out a stylus and I examine the stylus at intervals. The cartridge is usually retired first. I rarely have to clean my stylus. Maybe once a month I'll use Lyra stylus cleaner. Because I use a sweep arm and dust cover I almost never have to remove dust from the stylus. Dust is the most prevalent enemy of sensitive machinery and records.  

@mijostyn 
I have seen postings from people who claim to have worked in pressing plants. Some of them claim that they used mold release compound. Some claim that it is a residue from the pressing process. Some claim it does not exist. Others claim that it depends on the plant.

I suspect that I have seen an oily substance on newly pressed records. So I clean with an US cleaner and a good lab grade detergent, and rinse heroically.

I took some records out last night and played them. At the end of the evening as the system was powered down the records were a little bit dirtier, the heat death of the universe a little bit closer.

I always wet clean records new or used the first time I play. Then I use a record brush for the next 3 to 5 playings and then wet clean again. 

I would think cleaning a new record would be critical. Been thinking about the new ultrasonic cleaners, but I have heard several have reliability problems. 

I clean everything - new or used - whenever I pu records.

After cleaning, they get resleeved in MoFi sleeves.

After that, brush before play (and milty in the winter)

I clean EVERY VINYL, OLD OR NEW before ever playing it - every single time.  I clean EVERY VINYL, OLD OR NEW that I can get my hands on, whether it's my record or not.  If I go to a friend's house and I see a turntable, I plead with them to let me take all of their records home and clean them (sometimes I bring them back).  I go to thrift stores and yard sales just to find dirty, moldy records that I can clean - if they look like someone used them for Frisbees at one time or are stuck with goo in the sleeve, even better.  I have gone so far as to buy lots of records at a Goodwill (don't care about the artist - what's the point?), take them home and clean them, and then re-donate them so at least I know that those records on the rack have been cleaned by me. 

Holy Cow! Bikerbw, you are so virtuous and a better person than I am.  I love that you do this.  I'm too lazy to use my record cleaning machine most times!

I lightly dust the top of my streamer, every time I change playlists........never heard any pops or crackles this way.

I clean every LP whether it was purchased new or used, and then sleeve it in a Mobile Fidelity rice paper sleeve. That's the beauty of US cleaners such as the Klaudio or Audio Desk - they are easy one-button solutions.

Unless you're as dedicated a vinyl cleaner as bikerbw, don't even bother.  Instead, use the extra time saved to polish the knobs on your gear.  Recent studies have shown that dreck, crud, grime and blueberry jam are readily transferred via several pathways to our vinyl. Interesting though, that blueberry jam actually seemed to improve the PRAT on some LPs.