The Spin-Clean Record Washer story began in Chicago around 1974 when Fidelitone Inc., a manufacturer of record needles and accessories, developed a device originally called the ”Spin ‘n Clean.” Initially, Fidelitone attempted to market the cleaner in big-box stores using colorful, 1970s-style packaging. While they also distributed the product to independent retailers, one of their most successful partners was Paul C. Mawhinney, owner of Record-Rama Sound Archives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1. A New Chapter in Pittsburgh Since 1975
At Record-Rama, the Spin ‘n Clean was a counter-top staple. The Mawhinney family discovered that the unit sold remarkably well when demonstrated to customers. When Fidelitone decided to discontinue the product because it didn’t fit on standard pegboards, Paul C. Mawhinney stepped in to save the brand. He purchased the rights and began manufacturing the newly branded Spin-Clean Record Washer in Pittsburgh in 1975. Since then, the device has been hand-assembled in the U.S., serving vinyl collectors and libraries nationwide.
2. Technical Design of the Spin-Clean Record Washer
The system is designed to effectively clean both sides of a record simultaneously without requiring the use of a turntable. This protects your stylus and motor from unnecessary wear.
The Advantage of the Bright Yellow Basin
The unit features a distinctive bright yellow color for a functional reason: it allows users to see the dirt collecting at the bottom of the basin. The compact design (six inches wide, fifteen inches long, and six inches high) requires no power, making it a flexible and “green” solution for any listening room.
Special Alcohol-Free Cleaning Fluid
The “secret weapon” of the system is the special alcohol-free washer fluid. This formula encapsulates dirt from deep within the grooves and sinks it to the bottom of the basin, preventing contaminants from being redeposited onto the vinyl.
3. Proven Results and Industry Testing
In 1976, Fidelitone Inc. tested the system for RCA Records with remarkable results. The tests showed increased output sensitivity, improved channel separation, and a reduction in amplified record noise. Audio Magazine also verified these findings, citing the unit as one of the most efficient cleaners for dirty records.
Professional users have echoed these results for decades. Phil Schomer, a mobile DJ at Alexander’s Graham Bell in Pittsburgh, stated, “Spin-Clean record washing system is the only record cleaning system I’ll use, because I found it to be the most effective in removing smoke and other dirt without a buildup of residue on my cartridge and records.”
