Here's how to clean your vinyl records without damaging them

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Now that spring has sprung, it's a good time to start cleaning out your vinyl record collection. It's no secret that vinyl records are hotter than ever, and whether you have a huge record collection or a small one, it's a good idea to keep them clean and organized.

Just like any other form of physical media, vinyl records must be kept clean in order to function properly. Fingerprints, dust and scratches can damage the surface of the disc itself, which can reduce sound and add unwanted noise. Even the natural oils from your hands can corrode the surface of your vinyl records.

When it comes to cleaning your vinyls, there are special solutions, vinyl record brushes and cleaning kits designed to keep your records in tip-top shape. For example, the Vinyl Buddy Record Cleaning Kit ($20) has a near-perfect customer rating on Amazon, and you'll get a lot of items for a decent price.

The five-piece kit comes with a plush brush, microfiber brush, stylus brush, cleaning solution, and storage case. The Groove Washer Walnut Record Cleaning Kit ($44.95) is another music fan favorite.

For something easier and possibly cheaper, depending on what you already have at home, you can always go for Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner and water. Not familiar with Simple Green? It's an all-purpose natural cleaning solution that works on almost everything. From surfaces to soft carpets, Simple Green is designed to instantly remove grease and stains from countertops, floors, fabrics, equipment, vehicles and more. And it's gentle enough to use on your vinyl records.

Simple Green retails for about $2-5 for a 32-ounce spray bottle and about $10 for a gallon. You can get it from Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's and other retailers.

To clean vinyl records, grab a microfiber cleaning cloth to remove dust and static from the record. Next, wet a clean microfiber cloth (preferably with distilled water) and lightly wipe the recording surface in a circular motion — but avoid the middle of the disc. Then add a splash of Simple Green (the company recommends ratio 1:30) in a bowl of water and clean the file following the same circular motion as the previous steps. Finally, grab a dry microfiber cloth to dry the vinyl record (you can also use compressed air to blow away any residual dust).

Now that your drive is clean, all that's left to do is enjoy the music! Just make sure you check the needle on your turntable for any dust residue that could distort the sound. For additional shopping suggestions, check out our list of the best turntables and turntables, the best speakers for music lovers, and storage options for your music collection.