Riverstone Audio We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more › So, you bought your first turntable. Maybe you were seduced by that warm analog sound coming out of your speakers or headphones. Maybe you inherited your dad’s massive classic LP collection. Or maybe you fell down a Record Store Day rabbit hole and emerged with a stack of dusty jazz reissues, a limited-edition picture disc, and no clue how to clean them.  However you got here, welcome. Vinyl is one of the most rewarding—and, if we’re being honest, high-maintenance—ways to enjoy music. Unlike digital music streaming, a turntable is a mechanical system. A stylus rides a real groove, in real time. That means dust, drag, and bad habits can mess with your sound—and your records. Sure, vinyl can be persnickety, but that’s part of its charm. With just a little effort (and a few helpful tools), you can keep your turntable tracking true and your records sounding great for years to come. From balancing your tonearm to cleaning your grooves to flattening warped LPs, here’s how to keep your setup in tip-top shape—with recommendations for tools that can help. Choose the right cartridge for your sound (and budget) The cartridge is your turntable’s point of contact with your records. It holds the stylus—the tiny, diamond-tipped needle that rides the groove—and converts vibrations into an electrical signal. Cartridges come in two main types: moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC). MM cartridges are more common—they’re affordable, durable, and work with most entry-level turntables and phono pre-amplifiers. MC cartridges are more sensitive and detailed, but they typically need special preamps and are harder to replace. Think of it like this: MM cartridges are reliable all-rounders with a punchy, dynamic sound. MC cartridges pull more nuance but demand more from your setup. iFi Zen Phono 3 MM/MC Phono Preamp iFi Each cartridge has its own sonic personality. Some lean warm and smooth, while others are crisp and revealing. If your turntable came with a pre-installed cartridge, it’s likely an MM—and probably a solid place to start. But if you’re ready to upgrade, a great budget pick is the Audio-Technica AT-VM95E ($55): known for excellent tracking, tonal balance, and value.  Audio-Technica AT-VM95E Turntable Cartridge Audio-Technica If you’re ready to splurge, consider the Ortofon 2M Bronze—at $429, it’s incredibly accurate and balanced, with a clear top end that doesn’t get fatiguing. (And if you’re really suffering from a case of upgraditis, there’s the $695 Ortofon 2M Black, which uses a Shibata diamond to draw every transient in finest detail.) Swapping cartridges isn’t difficult, but accuracy matters. Misalignment can degrade sound or wear down your records. Use a tool like the Hudson Hi-Fi mirrored protractor ($15) to dial in precise angle and overhang. Ortofon 2M Black Turntable Cartridge Ortofon Balance your tonearm for better sound and longer record life No matter how affordable or fancy your stylus is, if it’s too light on the groove, it can skate across the record and miss detail. Too heavy, and it’ll grind down the vinyl and wear out the stylus. Proper tonearm balance—also called tracking force—is key to clean sound and record longevity. Consult your cartridge’s recommended tracking force, typically measured in grams (usually between 1.5 and 2.5g). Most turntables have a counterweight at the rear of the tonearm that lets you dial in the correct amount. If your turntable doesn’t include a built-in force gauge, use an external tracking force scale—like the Riverstone Audio Precision Record Level Turntable Stylus Tracking Force Pressure Gauge/Scale ($35)—for more accuracy. Riverstone Audio Precision Record Level Turntable Stylus Tracking Force Pressure Gauge/Scale Riverstone Audio Once that’s set, adjust anti-skate to match your tracking force. This keeps the stylus centered in the groove for smooth, even playback. Upgrade your mat  Your turntable’s platter mat cushions your records, controls vibration, and reduces static. If you’re using a stock felt mat, consider upgrading to cork or rubber for better grip and sound isolation. Cork mats (like Corkery’s $22 model) are great all-rounders; rubber and silicone add damping for improved resonance control. Acrylic mats, such as the Hudson Hi-Fi Acrylic Turntable Mat ($19), are another option, designed to mimic the acoustic properties of vinyl for tighter bass and a cleaner overall sound—but they work best on acrylic platters. Whatever you choose, make sure the thickness doesn’t mess with your tonearm height. Corkery Cork Turntable Platter Mat Corkery Isolate your setup from vibrations Foot thumps? Low-end rumble? Your turntable might be picking up unwanted vibrations from the surface it sits on. For this reason, it’s best to separate your turntable and speakers. However, many things—like subwoofers, walking across the room, or even spinning warped records—can introduce noise. Isolation feet can help.  IsoAcoustics Orea Series Equipment Isolators IsoAcoustics Models like IsoAcoustics’ zaZen platform ($230) or the Orea Series equipment isolators ($48 – $79 each, sized and priced based on weight of components) reduce interference by decoupling your turntable from shelves and furniture—especially useful if your floors aren’t exactly solid. (We’ve heard the pucks in an A/B audition, and there was an audible tidying of the soundstage and tightening of bass in the isolated setup.) Even budget-friendly generic silicone pucks ($13 for eight) are a worthwhile investment. Tight on space and want a compact speaker + vibration isolation? The $349 Andover Audio SpinBase 2 Speaker System is a clever under-turntable combo that adds a powered playback source while preventing feedback. Andover Audio SpinBase 2 Speaker System Andover Clean your records regularly Dust is the enemy of good vinyl sound. Even minute particles you can’t see can muffle detail, add surface noise, or worse, grind into the grooves under your stylus. So, if you’re looking for how to clean records before every play, we recommend giving each album side a pass with an anti-static brush—like my go-to, the AudioQuest Antistatic Carbon Plate Record Brush ($30), which uses more than 1 million (!) conductive carbon fibers to sweep away microscopic dirt and eliminate static. Let the record spin on the platter, and gently hold the brush in place for a few rotations, following the groove’s path. (Shine a flashlight on the record before and after to verify that you removed all dust and debris.) AudioQuest Antistatic Carbon Plate Record Brush AudioQuest Store your records properly Just as important as how to clean records is how you store your records. Good storage keeps your records sounding their best and protects them from warping, scratches, and dust. Always store vinyl upright—never stacked flat, which can cause warping over time. Invest in sturdy shelves or crates that support the full edge of the record.  Keep your collection away from heat, sunlight, and moisture. That means no storing records in attics, basements, or next to radiators. Inner sleeves matter too: Replace worn paper sleeves with anti-static inner sleeves to reduce dust and static buildup. MoFi Original Master Sleeves are beloved by hi-fi heads, thanks to their three-ply construction and static resistance. Want to protect your jacket art? Big Fudge makes clear, acid-free outer sleeves that are tough enough to protect, thin enough to stack. MoFi Original Master Sleeves Mobile Fidelity Keep your stylus sparkling Over time, dust and residue can build up on your stylus, dulling your sound—or worse, damaging your records. You don’t need to clean your stylus after every play, but a regular wipe-down will keep it performing at its best. Use a soft stylus brush or stylus cleaning gel. With a dry brush, like the one in Vinyl Buddy’s Ultimate 5-Piece Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit ($22), gently sweep from back to front—never side to side or back-and-forth, which can damage the stylus. If you opt for gel, like the Hudson Hi-Fi Turntable Stylus Cleaner Vinyl Cleaning Gel Bubble ($17), just lower the stylus onto the pad and lift—no scrubbing required. Vinyl Buddy Ultimate 5-Piece Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit Vinyl Buddy Avoid DIY hacks—no foggy breath, no rubbing alcohol, and definitely no Magic Eraser. Your stylus is expensive and fragile. Treat it accordingly. Flatten warps with a clamp or weight Warps happen—especially with older or heat-exposed records. A record clamp or weight can gently flatten the disc against the platter for better tracking and less distortion. Our favorite is the Viborg LP528G Turntable Stabilizer ($19)—this sleek brass clamp tames minor warps, improves stability, and adds heft and style, with a range of vivid colorways to choose from. Do proceed with caution: Some turntables, especially those with suspended platters or lightweight motors, aren’t built to handle extra mass. Always check your manufacturer’s guidelines. Viborg LP528G Turntable Stabilizer Viborg Cue your records carefully Resist the urge to drop the needle! Always use the cueing lever, never your fingers, to lower the stylus onto the record—it protects your vinyl and your stylus. Avoid placing the needle near the label or edge. Start gently in the lead-in groove, and never “drop” it mid-track unless you’re confident. Adopting a steady hand and good habits today will save you from scratches later. A little care goes a long way Listening to vinyl is a joyful experience that can renew your love of music, but it’s a habit that runs on ritual and respect. Whether you’re spinning brand-new 180-gram reissues or crate-digging dollar-bin treasures, a well-maintained setup helps your favorite songs sound the way they were intended to—and keeps them sounding that way. Put in a little effort now, and your vinyl and turntable will keep giving back—one satisfying spin at a time.