how to get rid of mildew?

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woodsyi

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how to get rid of mildew?
« on: 16 Apr 2008, 06:35 pm »
A recent collection that I got has a bunch of mildewed albums.  After looking around, I am thinking of using Sporicidin http://www.microscopes.com/ms-6s-ln-st50-600.html in addition to the normal cleaning.  What do you think?

BobM

Re: how to get rid of mildew?
« Reply #1 on: 16 Apr 2008, 06:57 pm »
Are you talking about mildew on the vinyl or on the cardboard covers? For the vinyl I've been using the Disk Doctor cleaning system. Mildew comes off with a slightly stronger solution than normal.

For the covers I tried spraying them lightly with a 1/2 water, 1/2 Clorox solution and leaving them in the bright sun to dry for the day worked fairly well. Obviously you have to turn them at some point to get both sides in the sun for a while.

(yes, the vinyl needs to be out of them to do this or you'll wind up with a really cool warp)

Enjoy,
Bob

woodsyi

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Re: how to get rid of mildew?
« Reply #2 on: 16 Apr 2008, 07:01 pm »
I am talking about the white stuff on the vinyl.  I do the best with covers and definitely replace the inner lining.  I wouldn't bother with them except they are old opera stuff that you rarely see.

TheChairGuy

Re: how to get rid of mildew?
« Reply #3 on: 16 Apr 2008, 07:03 pm »
woodsyi,

I think Todd the Vinyl Junkie has a product called Vinylzyme....natural enzymes that remove bacteria (ie, that cause mildew).

While my records were in storage in my garage, I had a flood one winter 4 years ago.  1/2 of my (then) collection were destroyed (the covers, actually, as water doesn't destroy the underlying record).  I used the Vinylzyme on most of the collection and they came out smelling like the proverbial rose  :inlove:

I haven't bought the Vinylzyme since as very few records are still mildewed....but when I run into one, I use my normal cleaning agent from LAT International called Kleer-disc and it works very, very (perhaps equally) well.  It, too, advertised itself as having enzymes that eat away bacteria.  It's also a very effective everyday cleaning agent for your RCM, too  :)

I, too, replaced all the liners with poly liners from Tim at TurntableBasics.  Many covers were destroyed, however (I've replaced a few that I could find in the $0.50 bins since, however)

John

Airborn

Re: how to get rid of mildew?
« Reply #4 on: 16 Apr 2008, 07:04 pm »
My favorite used record store swears by Windex for removing mildew.  I am not sure if this is damaging to the vinyl LP, but I haven't noticed any sonic degradation from it.  I always clean the records I buy there with my own cleaning regime before listening though. :scratch:  Opinions seem to vary on using Windex...I asked about it in this thread and got various responses.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=44339.msg396580#msg396580

Wayner

Re: how to get rid of mildew?
« Reply #5 on: 16 Apr 2008, 10:31 pm »
I'd think any alcohol would get rid of it. Mildew is a bacteria that has a growth base in water. Kill the bacteria, kill the mildew. Listerine anyone?

Wayner