Quote Originally Posted by 02audionoob
I clean most of mine once each because I buy mostly used records. For new media I buy CDs. I included that bit about letting the stylus clean them because that's what the Rega manual says to do...seriously.

I don't clean records that I bought new, since I've taken good care of them and I don't clean records that don't appear to need it. I was given a collection of a few hundred 30- to 40-year-old records that were handled carefully and I haven't cleaned any of those. But I see around the web there are those who clean even a new record, presumably to remove mold-release agents?
I'll try and track down a link but I've read about this topic. Residue from factory process can store in the grooves and of course diminish an audiophile stylus...I will follow this up...interesting stuff. Today I was cleaning my records in my underwear and my wife entered the room. I don't have to tell you what happened next. Oh ya, cleaning records, chicks dig it...