IMO too much is made of what cleaning solution one uses.
Let's be realistic here. Record cleaning solutions are nothing more than mild detergents. Much like dish soaps, bar soaps, laundry detergents, shampoos, etc. there is very little difference among products perfumes and colorants notwithstanding. The manufacturers of these product would have you believe otherwise and for good reason.
I spent almost 25 years in the chemical industry and you would be amazed at the marketing that goes into differentiating products. As an example Procter and Gamble makes numerous laundry detergents; every one has a different color and odor but folks believe me there is very little difference among them. The only exception is Tide which holds numerous patents and sells at a premium price. Same deal with most shampoos, dish soaps, bar soaps, etc. etc.
Now, back to the point. Almost every record cleaning solution will be effective with a proper application and removal system. Dirt is dirt and vinyl is vinyl. Polyvinyl chloride (vinyl records) is a very inert material and very difficult to damage provided one does not use aggressive solvents from the ketone (MEK, MIBK, Acetone) or aromatic (Toluene, Xylene, Benzene) families. These solvents have a relatively high Kauri Butanol value (a measure of solvency power). Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) will NOT damage your vinyl despite what you may read elsewhere. Neither is it a good vinyl cleaner which is also a common misnomer.
Buy a reputable product and apply the fluid and use mild scrubbing to force the "soap" into the grooves. A strong vacuum/removal system is very very important. Apply pure water and vacuum again. Done.
I've yet to steam a record simply because it's not been needed. Although I have never had to steam clean one of my records, I believe there is merit in doing so if the vinyl is very dirty.
All of course IMO.
Let's be realistic here. Record cleaning solutions are nothing more than mild detergents. Much like dish soaps, bar soaps, laundry detergents, shampoos, etc. there is very little difference among products perfumes and colorants notwithstanding. The manufacturers of these product would have you believe otherwise and for good reason.
I spent almost 25 years in the chemical industry and you would be amazed at the marketing that goes into differentiating products. As an example Procter and Gamble makes numerous laundry detergents; every one has a different color and odor but folks believe me there is very little difference among them. The only exception is Tide which holds numerous patents and sells at a premium price. Same deal with most shampoos, dish soaps, bar soaps, etc. etc.
Now, back to the point. Almost every record cleaning solution will be effective with a proper application and removal system. Dirt is dirt and vinyl is vinyl. Polyvinyl chloride (vinyl records) is a very inert material and very difficult to damage provided one does not use aggressive solvents from the ketone (MEK, MIBK, Acetone) or aromatic (Toluene, Xylene, Benzene) families. These solvents have a relatively high Kauri Butanol value (a measure of solvency power). Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) will NOT damage your vinyl despite what you may read elsewhere. Neither is it a good vinyl cleaner which is also a common misnomer.
Buy a reputable product and apply the fluid and use mild scrubbing to force the "soap" into the grooves. A strong vacuum/removal system is very very important. Apply pure water and vacuum again. Done.
I've yet to steam a record simply because it's not been needed. Although I have never had to steam clean one of my records, I believe there is merit in doing so if the vinyl is very dirty.
All of course IMO.