The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I had a grungy but not valuable 78 that I wanted to clean up for making a digital copy. So I decided to try using a little splash of white vinegar and tap water and scrubbing the grooves with a toothbrush. This method seemed to work very well to cut through the grunge and I doubt that vinegar would harm shellac like alcohol does, but does anyone disagree ? I'm thinking of using this method more often for cleaning. After an after rinse and towel dry I can't smell vinegar on the record either.

I don't think it will have any effect on shellac itself, but I wonder if acetic acid might corrode the record's substrate which is made of various compounds, among which clay in many cases.

However, I wonder why anyone should use a substance rich in acetic acid while neutral soap could be very effectively and succesfully used instead.

I would be somewhat concerned using vinegar because it is made from alcohol, in which shellac is soluble. Unless the reaction converting it to acetic acid is complete, there could be some alcohol left.

Nevertheless, I seem to remember some experts recommending a mixture of vinegar, oil and water back in the day... I imagine the risk may well be negligible really, but like Marco I prefer to use an alcohol-free soap such as baby shampoo.

Yeah, I thought I might use it on grungier records since I got such good results with the one. But it may not be worth the risk after all.