Spin-Clean International, creators of the award-winning Spin-Clean Record Washer (read the review here), just launched the industry’s first education program specifically designed to inform young vinyl music enthusiasts about the importance of cleaning and maintaining their record collections. The announcement coincides with the first major upgrade to the best-selling Spin-Clean system in nearly 50 years.
The new Spin-Clean consumer program is based upon landmark research conducted last year by MusicWatch, a leading U.S. research and analytics company. Among the study’s key findings: an estimated 18 million consumers purchased vinyl during 2021, a 27% increase over the previous year. And nearly 46% of these purchasers were between 18 and 34 years of age (the fastest growing vinyl music segment). Additionally, when asked why they haven’t played or intend to play some of their vinyl records, over 43% of these respondents said that “they want to preserve or keep them in pristine condition for their collections”.
“Our newest product upgrade is much more than a refresh”, said Mark Mawhinney, president of Spin-Clean International. “We’ve taken a closer look at this major shift in vinyl ownership and listened to our current customers as well, to ensure that this new Spin-Clean model remains the most popular record cleaning kit on the market.”
The new and improved Spin-Clean system incorporates a number of new features, including:
- Simple to install snap-in rollers for 7, 10 and 12-inch records, ensuring smooth and consistent rotations during the cleaning process.
- A streamlined basin which features an entirely new mold, making it easier to clean.
- A more precise brush alignment made possible by new wedge brush mounts.
- Greater overall stability, thanks to new self-adhesive rubber feet, complete with foot cutouts.
According to Mark Mawhinney, “Our new Spin-Clean model delivers a compelling combination of simplicity, reliability and affordability. Now, more than ever, the Spin-Clean system will serve as an indispensable tool for every vinyl enthusiast, from Baby Boomers to Gen Z”.
The new Spin-Clean record washer kit carries a suggested retail price of $79.99.
Initial Spin-Clean Outreach
The Spin-Clean consumer outreach program will begin this Spring and run through the end of the year. It features a number of elements, including a comprehensive dealer training program; digital and print ads; pop-up banners on vinyl user forums and record collector sites; and social media that specifically targets young vinyl enthusiasts.
The program starts this month with the availability of a new whitepaper titled Vinyl Records and the Spin-Clean System. It provides an easy-to-understand explanation of the vinyl playback process, along with a detailed overview of the key aspects of the Spin-Clean system.
Additionally, the official introduction of the new Spin-Clean model will take place at AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) held from April 14-16 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel in Schaumburg, IL. The new device will be demonstrated in the Amped Room (#412).
Spin-Clean executive Mark Mawhinney will also be participating in a special Vinyl Record Care webinar, which will be held from 2-3pm ET on April 19th. The workshop, sponsored by MusicWatch and hosted and moderated by vinyl icon Michael Fremer, also features executives from other vinyl record cleaning companies.
For more information about Spin-Clean, please contact Tim DeBacco, Director of Marketing and Communication, care of Tim@spinclean.com.
The Importance of Cleaning Your Audiophile Vinyl Records
For vinyl enthusiasts, few things are more rewarding than dropping the needle on a clean record. But to get the most out of your analog setup—whether it’s an entry-level turntable or a full-blown audiophile rig—cleaning your records isn’t optional. It’s essential. Proper record maintenance not only improves sound quality but also protects your stylus and preserves your investment in physical media.
Vinyl records are delicate. Their grooves are microscopic and easily affected by dust, dirt, oils, and static electricity. Even brand-new records can have residue left over from the pressing plant—mold release agents, paper particles from inner sleeves, or static-attracting debris. And used records, no matter how visually clean, may carry decades’ worth of gunk embedded in the grooves. This is why audiophiles clean not just old records but also new ones before playing them.
There are several approaches to cleaning, and they can be tailored to your budget and system resolution. The most basic tool in every vinyl listener’s kit is the carbon fiber brush. Used dry, this brush is designed to sweep dust and static from the record’s surface. It doesn’t deep-clean, but it does prevent surface-level grime from getting into the stylus, and it’s a quick, no-fuss way to start any listening session.
For deeper cleaning, wet cleaning solutions are the next step. These typically involve a purpose-made fluid and an applicator brush or microfiber pad. The solution is spread across the record surface, allowed to loosen debris, and then wiped or vacuumed away. Some cleaners are alcohol-based, while others use enzyme formulas to break down organic contaminants. It’s important to avoid household cleaners, as they can leave residue or damage the vinyl’s surface.
Audiophiles with larger collections or higher-end gear often invest in vacuum-based record cleaning machines, like those from Okki Nokki, VPI, or Record Doctor. These units apply cleaning fluid and then vacuum it off the record, removing both the liquid and the contaminants suspended within it. This method reaches deeper into the groove and helps eliminate static as well.
For those who want the most thorough clean available, ultrasonic record cleaners have become the gold standard. These machines use cavitation—a process where microscopic bubbles form and collapse in a liquid—to gently dislodge particles from deep within the groove. Ultrasonic units don’t use brushes, so there’s no physical contact beyond the water itself. Brands like Degritter and Kirmuss offer systems at various price points, and the results are often dramatic, especially on older records.
No matter which method you use, the benefits of cleaning are clear: fewer pops and clicks, lower noise floors, better imaging, and a longer life for both your vinyl and your stylus. Clean records simply sound better. And in a hobby where detail, dynamics, and nuance matter, skipping this step means leaving performance on the table.
