Record Player Workshop: Protect, Restore & Maintain

This will be a 2-hour interactive workshop designed to teach guests how to properly clean, care for, and maintain their vinyl records and record players. The experience blends education, hands-on learning, and community, true to the Crates & Coffee vibe.

This workshop is designed to be interactive.

Participants are encouraged to:

• Bring your record player! (if you're comfortable with that)
• Bring 2–3 records from their personal collection
• Practice safe cleaning techniques using professional tools
• Ask questions about their own turntable setup and vinyl care routine

Vinyl 101: Why Care Matters
We’ll cover how records work, why they collect dust, and how that impacts sound quality and longevity.

Tools of the Trade
Walkthrough of essential tools (brushes, cleaning solution, stylus care, sleeves) and what’s actually worth investing in.

Live Cleaning Demo
Step-by-step demonstration of properly cleaning a record and stylus, including best practices and common mistakes.

Hands-On Cleaning Session
Guests will clean their own records (or practice with provided ones) with guidance.

Storage + Maintenance
How to properly store records, maintain equipment, and build simple habits to protect their collection.

Wrap-Up + Community Moment
Q&A, connection, and sharing next steps (future events, vinyl club, etc.)

• Your record player! (if its trasportable)
• 2–3 vinyl records you would like to clean
• Any cleaning tools you own

All cleaning equipment and materials will be provided for demonstration.

• How to properly clean vinyl records without damaging them

• How to clean and maintain their stylus

• What tools are essential vs optional

• How to store records to preserve quality

• How to improve sound through proper care

• Cleaning tools (brushes, cloths, solution)

• Demo setup + records

• Guided instruction + facilitation

• Overall experience design

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Sip Society Coffee Education Center, 1806 West Cuyler Avenue, Chicago, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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