Caring for your CDs and Vinyl 

Once you have made a purchase from Linn Records, you will want to keep your album in pristine condition so that you can enjoy listening to it again and again. 

Here are some helpful suggestions for the best ways to care for your vinyl and CDs.

How to take care of vinyl

Many discerning Linn customers maintain that vinyl is still the format of choice. When used properly, there is something very special about vinyl and applying effort towards a high quality, analogue sound. There is also the aesthetic factor of large scale cover art and the potential value of a record in the future.

Contrary to popular belief, it is a format that is very much alive and available today on specialist websites (including this website) and in stores. Very often it is the only format certain music is released on.

Whatever your reason for choosing vinyl, there is no doubting the importance of  good record care in terms of lifespan and sound quality.

Linn Records recommend the following simple guidelines:

1. Your record collection should be stored in a clean, dry area away from windows or humidity. Vinyl should be kept in a vertical position with no leaning. Otherwise, you can use horizontal stacks of 15 - 20 albums. Another common-sense measure is to avoid heat sources such as direct sunlight, heaters or amplifiers. 
2. Records should be kept within both sleeve and jacket when not in use.  Plastic sleeves are not a good idea, especially in warmer climates as they can create permanent damage. Plain, inexpensive white paper sleeves are recommended with cut corners to allow records to be removed and returned to the jacket much more easily. Replace the sleeve in the record jacket and turn the open end toward the closed end of jacket to form a dust resistant seal.  Polythene-lined sleeves are also a good option as they serve to keep static down on your recordings. 
3. When removing a record from its sleeve always handle with care at the edges. Avoid touching the actual recording surface to reduce the possibility of scratching it with your fingernails.  Fingerprints are less of an issue and can be removed.
4. If your turntable has a lid, keep it closed while in use.
5. On no account use your fingers to wipe dust from your needle or stylus. A quality stylus cleaner or light brush is recommended to ensure longer life for both records and stylus. 
6. It might sound simple but keeping your records clean is the easy, inexpensive method of preserving your vinyl. A quality disc cleaning solution is inexpensive and really helps protects vinyl discs.  If your records do accumulate dirt or mould, clean them first with a small quantity of soap and water - using a soft cloth or wipe - then rinse, running under the water being careful to avoid getting any on the label. Dry with a soft cloth or a good paper towel.  Thereafter, you should wash the record and apply an anti-static solution. 
7. It is best to remove the water from the record before it dries out - pat it dry with a soft cotton cloth. This reduces the risk of contaminants in the water affecting the vinyl.
8. It might be worth noting that tap water in areas of hard water might be best avoided. Ideally one should use distilled water.
9. Another option does exist in the form of a small vacuum machine for the purpose of cleaning vinyl. An option to consider protection of album artwork is to use plastic sleeves. These slide over the outside of the jacket and protects it from outside elements plus the wear and tear of sliding a cover off the shelf.  

How to take care of CDs

The common misconception when the Compact Disc format arrived was that they were impregnable - it would be impossible to damage them. All of us will be aware of how untrue this became in reality and although more robust than vinyl and audio-cassette, they should be handled with a good degree of care.  A deep scratch will cause your disc to skip, stick or sometimes eject altogether and that can be infuriating.  

As it is a digital format, repair kits don't work particularly well, so it's a good idea to look after your CDs from the off.

In terms of cleaning, a good option is to use plain round wipes made specifically for CD cleaning.  It is recommended to wipe the CD from the center hole to the outer edge and not to wipe in a circular motion as this will leave marks.  It may sound simple but to guard against scratches on your CDs, keep them in their cases when not in use.

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