Spin-Clean Complete Kit vs Deluxe Kit: Which to Buy

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The Spin-Clean is one of the most popular manual record washers, and it is sold in more than one bundle. The two you will see most often are the MKII Complete Kit and the MKII Deluxe Kit. Both contain the same washer basin, so the cleaning itself is identical. The difference is how many consumables come in the box: fluid, brushes and drying cloths. This guide explains what each kit contains, how quickly you use those consumables, and which kit is better value for your collection.

How the Spin-Clean works

The Spin-Clean is a basin that you fill with distilled water up to a fill line and add Spin-Clean fluid. The record sits upright between two rollers and two pairs of brushes. You turn it by hand, a few rotations in each direction, and the brushes scrub both sides at once while the label stays above the water. You then lift the record out and dry it with a lint-free cloth or let it stand in a rack. It works for 33, 45 and 78 sizes thanks to adjustable rollers.

What is in each kit

Based on the product listings we checked:

• Complete Kit: the basin, a 4 oz bottle of fluid, a set of brushes, rollers for 33/45/78, and two drying cloths.
• Deluxe Kit: the same basin and parts, plus a 32 oz bottle of fluid and extra brushes and cloths.

Spin-Clean has changed bundle contents over the years, so check the listing for the exact current contents before you buy.

Specs are from manufacturer and retailer listings and can change between versions; check the listing before you buy. We don't show prices because they change often; the button shows the current price on Amazon.

How long the included fluid lasts

Spin-Clean's instructions say to fill the basin with distilled water to the fill line and add two capfuls of fluid from the smaller bottles, or one capful from the 32 oz bottle, which uses a bigger cap. One bath is rated for roughly 20 to 50 records depending on how dirty they are. The 4 oz bottle in the Complete Kit therefore covers a limited number of baths, while the 32 oz bottle covers many more. Our guide to how many records you can clean per bottle goes into the maths.

When the Complete Kit is the better choice

• You have a small collection or mainly buy new records.
• You are trying manual washing for the first time and are not sure you will stick with it.
• You prefer to buy fluid separately as you need it.

When the Deluxe Kit is the better choice

• You have a backlog of used records waiting for a wash.
• You clean records every week and know you will use the fluid.
• You want spare brushes and cloths so you can rotate them while others are washed and dried.

Value: kit vs buying fluid later

There is no universal answer, because prices change often and retailers run offers on both kits and on fluid. The fair way to compare is to look at the current price of the Complete Kit, add the current price of the extra fluid and spares you would expect to need in the next year, and compare that total with the Deluxe Kit. If the Deluxe price is lower, and you will really use the extras, it is the better value. If you might not use the extras, the Complete Kit is cheaper overall.

The drying cloths matter more than you think

Most people underestimate drying. A wet record put straight into a sleeve can trap moisture and grime. The cloths in the kit need washing regularly, without fabric softener, which leaves residue. Having spares, as the Deluxe Kit provides, makes it easier to always use a clean, dry cloth. Many collectors also use a simple drying rack so records can air-dry upright after a light wipe. See how to dry records after washing.

Using either kit well

1. Brush loose dust off first.
2. Fill with distilled water to the line and add the right amount of fluid.
3. Turn the record two or three rotations in each direction. Do not press down hard.
4. Lift the record out and dry it with a clean cloth along the grooves, or stand it in a rack.
5. Change the bath when the water looks dirty, or after the number of records the instructions suggest.
6. Put the record into a new, clean inner sleeve.

When to step up to ultrasonic

If you wash records every week and find manual washing and drying tedious, an ultrasonic machine may suit you better. It costs much more, but you avoid scrubbing and hand drying. Our Spin-Clean vs ultrasonic comparison covers when that upgrade makes sense.

Where the Spin-Clean fits among cleaning methods

It helps to see the Spin-Clean in context. A dry brush removes loose dust before each play but cannot lift fingerprints or sticky grime. A spray-and-wipe kit is fine for a light clean but can push dirt around on very dirty records. A manual washer such as the Spin-Clean properly scrubs both sides in a bath of fluid. An ultrasonic machine removes dirt without contact and dries the record for you, at a much higher price. The Spin-Clean sits in the sweet spot for many people: effective, cheap to run, and needing no electricity.

Setting up a simple cleaning station

Whichever kit you buy, set up a small station so cleaning sessions run smoothly:

• A towel or tray under the basin to catch drips.
• A jug of distilled water for refills.
• Clean drying cloths, or a drying rack, within reach.
• A stack of fresh inner sleeves for the cleaned records.
• A carbon fibre brush to remove loose dust before washing.
• Somewhere to note how many records the bath has done, so you know when to change it.

With that ready, many people find they can wash and dry a stack of records in an evening without much effort.

Looking after the basin and brushes

After each session, empty the basin, rinse it and the brushes with clean water, and let them air-dry before you put the lid back on. Leaving dirty fluid in the basin encourages residue and can make brushes clump. Store the kit somewhere dust-free. Replace brushes when the bristles flatten or no longer spring back. Wash drying cloths separately from other laundry, without fabric softener, and let them dry fully.

Our verdict

If you are unsure, buy the Complete Kit. It contains everything you need to start, and if you find yourself using it often, a 32 oz bottle of fluid and spare brushes are easy to add later. If you already know you will be washing a big pile of used records, the Deluxe Kit can save you a re-order and gives you spare cloths, which makes drying easier and cleaner.

Who should skip both kits

If you only buy new records and keep them in good inner sleeves, you may rarely need a wet clean at all. A carbon fibre brush before each play and a stylus brush may be enough, and you can wait until you buy your first dusty second-hand record before choosing a washer. At the other end, if you are already washing dozens of records each week, you may find that an ultrasonic machine saves enough time to justify the cost. The Spin-Clean is strongest for the large group of collectors in between: people who buy a mix of new and used records and want a reliable, inexpensive way to deal with the dirty ones.

One more practical point: whichever kit you choose, keep the box or a small bag for storing the rollers and spare brushes. Losing a roller is the most common reason a manual washer stops being used, and replacement parts are easier to find if you know exactly which model you have.

Finally, remember that cleaning is only half the job. A clean record placed back into a dusty, torn paper sleeve will pick up dirt again quickly, so budget for fresh inner sleeves alongside whichever kit you choose.

FAQ

Is the Deluxe Kit basin better?

No. Both kits use the same MKII basin. The Deluxe Kit adds more fluid and spare parts.

Can I use other fluid in a Spin-Clean?

Spin-Clean designs its washer around its own fluid. Using other products is your call, but some contain alcohol or additives that may not suit all records.

Does the Spin-Clean work for 45s and 78s?

Yes. The rollers adjust for different record sizes. For shellac 78s, check our 78 cleaning guide first.

How often should I replace the brushes?

When they look worn, flattened or dirty even after rinsing. Spare brushes are sold separately and come with the Deluxe Kit.