Your records are pristine. Your stylus gets a quick flick before each play. But over time, you notice distortion. Treble softens. The groove seems unstable. Could that little dry brush be doing too little—or too much?
What to Do
Clean your stylus with a proper stylus cleaner once a week. Use an enzymatic gel, a fine stylus brush with cleaning fluid, or a dry polymer pad (like the Onzow-style). Avoid excessive pressure or sideways movement, and always brush back-to-front. Never use alcohol—it can damage adhesives or delicate cantilever materials.
Here’s Why That Works
Stylus tips accumulate microscopic debris from the groove—vinyl dust, oils, and organic material. A simple dry brush often misses this buildup. Left untreated, it changes the stylus profile, reducing contact and increasing wear. Over-cleaning or brushing in the wrong direction can damage suspensions or shift alignment.
A clean stylus doesn’t just last longer—it sounds cleaner, tracks better, and protects your records.
