Vinyl rewards a little care with a lifetime of great sound. These five habits take seconds and make a real difference.
1. Handle records by the edges
Fingerprints attract dust and add surface noise. Hold LPs by the outer edge and the label — never the grooves.
2. Brush before every play
A quick pass with a carbon-fiber brush before each side lifts dust that would otherwise end up under your stylus.
3. Sleeve them right after playing
Don't leave records sitting on the platter. Slide them back into their inner sleeves right away to keep dust off.
4. Store vertically, never stacked
Records stored flat warp over time. Keep them upright, snug but not squeezed, in a cool spot away from direct sun.
5. Check your stylus
A worn needle damages records. If highs sound dull or you hear distortion on loud passages, it may be time for a replacement stylus.
Bonus: Keep the dust cover closed when the player isn't in use. It's the simplest dust defense you have.