"May not sound any better, but the records are squeeky clean"

I have to admit I've never noticed whether records are dirty or clean. Apart from sticky stuff such as jam which catches in the needle, in which case I'd wipe 'em off with a soft soapy cloth and dry them.

I don't think I've got high fidelity ears. But I think I'll probably try to have a clean-up now I've read this. Jerry Rasmusson's approach sounds the most likely way.