VPI Record Cleaning - Does Bidirectional cleaning really make a difference?

I have an HW-17 and definitely think the reverse feature helps.  But, it is not essential if you wet the record and then turn off the motor and use a MoFi brush to go back and forth over the record surface much as you would do to wash a dinner plate.  Then turn the platter back on to vacuum it.  This works because you are scrubbing the record in both directions anyway. 

inna,

I have a MoFi brush and two Disc Doctor brushes and they are essentially identical. As for your concern about scrubbing the record with these brushes causing damage is concerned, you seem to be thinking that the bristles of the brush actually can get down into the grooves, or that the dirt is abrasive. Neither of these is really likely, but I will take it under advisement. I have owned my HW-17 since new, purchased in 1990, and have used it on literally thousands of records. None have been hurt as far as I can tell. I think we can agree that the reverse motor feature is nice to have, however, I stand by my original post that it is not essential. As far as cleaning fluid goes here is a recipe that works quite well: 1 gallon of distilled water (pour out 1 pint), 1 pint of isopropyl alcohol (99% if you can get it), 2 drops of liquid dish detergent, mix well.