Audio T Verdict
The Pro-Ject Clean it is about as simple as a turntable accessory gets, but it tackles something that is very easy to overlook. Even when your records are kept clean, the stylus can gradually collect dust and deposits as it travels through the groove.
Its thousands of fine carbon fibres allow you to clean around the diamond gently, while the conductive construction also helps deal with static charge. There are no liquids, gels or complicated procedures involved: just a careful brush in the correct direction when the stylus needs attention.
For the relatively small cost, we think a proper stylus brush belongs alongside every turntable. Look after the records, look after the stylus and both stand a much better chance of continuing to perform as they should.
Pro-Ject Clean it Carbon Fibre Stylus Cleaning Brush
The Pro-Ject Clean it is a compact carbon fibre brush designed specifically for routine cleaning and maintenance of a turntable cartridge stylus.
Thousands of fine carbon fibres gently remove loose dust and accumulated deposits from around the diamond stylus tip, helping keep the cartridge clean without resorting to household cleaning products or improvised methods.
- Carbon fibre stylus cleaning brush
- Designed for cartridge stylus maintenance
- Suitable for regular cleaning
- Thousands of fine carbon fibres
- Conductive carbon fibre construction
- Removes fine dust particles
- Helps remove accumulated deposits
- Helps eliminate static charge
- Simple manual operation
- No powered components
- Compact turntable accessory
- Suitable for keeping alongside your turntable
Why Clean Your Stylus?
A stylus spends its entire working life travelling through the groove of a record.
Any dust, fibres or contamination left behind on the playing surface can therefore eventually find its way onto the stylus tip.
Even a record that appears clean to the eye can contain very small particles within the groove that are picked up during playback.
Dust Can Build Up Around the Diamond
The diamond tip is extremely small, so it does not take a large amount of debris before contamination becomes noticeable around the stylus.
Fluff can sometimes be seen hanging from the stylus after playing a dusty record, but finer deposits are not always as obvious without close inspection.
Regular cleaning helps prevent this material from simply accumulating from one record to the next.
Keeping the Stylus Clean Helps Playback
The stylus is the point at which the information contained within the record groove begins its journey through the rest of your hi-fi system.
Keeping that contact point clean helps the cartridge follow the groove without a layer of dust and debris getting in the way.
Pro-Ject specifically recommends the Clean it for routine stylus maintenance and describes a clean diamond as helping ensure correct reproduction of your records.
Don't Forget the Stylus When Cleaning Records
Record care naturally focuses on the vinyl itself, but keeping records clean is only part of the process.
A dirty stylus can carry contamination from one record to another, including onto a record you have only recently cleaned.
Our Audio T guide to looking after your vinyl records therefore recommends keeping an eye on both the record surface and the stylus.
Thousands of Fine Carbon Fibres
The Clean it uses thousands of very fine carbon fibres rather than the much larger bristles you would find on a general-purpose brush.
These fibres are arranged to make gentle contact around the stylus tip and lift away small particles and deposits.
The idea is not to scrub the stylus aggressively. A light, controlled brushing action is all that should be required for routine cleaning.
Conductive Carbon Fibre Construction
The fibres are electrically conductive as well as mechanically useful for removing contamination.
Pro-Ject specifies the Clean it as helping eliminate static charge while the stylus is being cleaned.
Carbon fibre is also used extensively in record-cleaning brushes for similar reasons.
Designed Specifically for the Stylus
The Clean it should not be confused with Pro-Ject's Brush it range.
Although both use carbon fibres, they have very different jobs.
Clean it
- Designed for the cartridge stylus
- Small precision brush
- Cleans around the diamond tip
- Removes stylus dust and deposits
- Used with the turntable stopped
Brush it
- Designed for the record surface
- Full-width record brush
- Removes loose surface dust
- Helps reduce record static
- Normally used before playback
For complete everyday care, it makes sense to use the appropriate tool for each job rather than trying to clean the stylus with a record brush or vice versa.
How Should You Use the Clean it?
Pro-Ject's own guidance is simple: move the carbon fibre brush along the direction of the cantilever towards the stylus.
The movement should be light and controlled. There is no need to press hard against the diamond or repeatedly scrub it.
Follow the Direction of the Cantilever Towards the Stylus
Use gentle strokes moving in the direction of the stylus tip. Cartridge cantilevers are delicate, so careful technique matters considerably more than applying pressure.
Never Scrub Side to Side
A stylus and cantilever are precision components, not something to attack with vigorous cleaning.
Avoid dragging the brush sideways across the stylus assembly or forcing the fibres against the cantilever.
The brush should follow the intended direction towards the stylus with minimal force.
The Cantilever Is Delicate
Never use excessive force when cleaning a stylus. A replacement stylus or cartridge can cost considerably more than the cleaning brush, so gentle and controlled movement is essential.
Keep the Turntable Stopped While Cleaning
Stylus cleaning should be carried out with the record removed and the turntable stationary.
This gives you proper control over the cartridge and avoids trying to work close to a moving platter or record.
Use the Tonearm Lift if Helpful
Depending on the design of the turntable, raising the tonearm with the cueing lever can make the stylus easier to see and access.
Make sure the arm is stable and work carefully around the cartridge rather than holding or pulling against the cantilever itself.
How Often Should You Clean the Stylus?
There is no need to turn stylus cleaning into a ritual after every side if the stylus is already perfectly clean.
Pro-Ject describes the Clean it as suitable for daily maintenance, so it can safely form part of your normal record-care routine when required.
How frequently you actually need it will depend heavily on the condition of the records you play.
Second-Hand Records Can Mean More Stylus Cleaning
Used records are one of the most common ways of introducing additional contamination into a vinyl system.
A second-hand LP may look respectable on the surface while still containing years of accumulated dust and residue within the groove.
If you regularly buy used vinyl, keeping a stylus brush close to the turntable is particularly worthwhile.
Clean Records Mean Less Work for the Stylus Brush
The best way to stop dirt collecting on the stylus is to reduce the amount of dirt it encounters in the first place.
A record brush such as the Pro-Ject Brush it is useful for removing loose surface dust before playback.
For more persistent contamination, a wet record cleaning system can go considerably further.
Brush it Premium for Everyday Record Care
The Pro-Ject Brush it Premium combines conductive carbon fibres with an earthing cable to provide more advanced everyday record-surface cleaning.
Used alongside the Clean it, it gives you separate tools for maintaining the record and the stylus rather than asking one brush to do both jobs.
When a Record Needs More Than a Dry Brush
Carbon fibre brushes are excellent for loose everyday dust, but they are not intended to provide a deep wet clean.
Records carrying fingerprints, grease or years of embedded contamination can benefit from a proper record cleaning system instead.
Audio T stocks manual and powered cleaning options ranging from the Pro-Ject Spin Clean to the vacuum-based VC-E2 and VC-S3.
Stylus Cleaning After Wet Record Cleaning
A properly cleaned record should naturally present less contamination to the stylus.
However, it is still worth inspecting the stylus periodically, particularly after working through older records that have not previously been cleaned.
The Clean it provides a quick way to remove anything the diamond has collected during playback.
Do You Need Stylus Cleaning Fluid?
The Clean it is designed as a straightforward carbon fibre brush and is used for routine mechanical cleaning of the stylus.
Before applying any liquid or chemical cleaner to a cartridge, always check the cartridge manufacturer's own instructions. Stylus bonding, cantilever materials and cartridge construction vary between manufacturers, and not every cleaning method is appropriate for every cartridge.
Check Before Using Any Stylus Cleaning Liquid
Do not assume that a liquid or solvent is safe simply because it is described as a stylus cleaner. Follow the cleaning guidance supplied by the manufacturer of your particular cartridge.
A Simple Tool for Cartridge Maintenance
There are no batteries, replacement pads, charging cables or moving parts involved in using the Clean it.
Its simplicity is one of its strengths. Keep it somewhere safe near the turntable and it is ready whenever the stylus needs attention.
Useful After Cartridge Setup
A newly installed cartridge naturally deserves to be looked after from the beginning.
Alongside correct tracking force, cartridge alignment and clean records, keeping the stylus free from accumulated debris is one of the basic habits that helps maintain a turntable system properly.
Useful With Moving Magnet and Moving Coil Cartridges
The Clean it works on the stylus rather than depending on the electrical generator principle used inside the cartridge.
It can therefore form part of the maintenance routine for conventional moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, subject to the individual cartridge manufacturer's cleaning guidance.
Be Particularly Careful With Expensive Cartridges
The more sophisticated the cartridge, the more important careful handling becomes.
A fine-line, MicroLine, Shibata or other advanced stylus profile may represent a significant investment, but the same principle applies: clean gently and never place unnecessary sideways force on the cantilever.
Clean it or a Record Cleaning Machine?
These products solve completely different problems and ideally complement rather than replace one another.
Clean it
- Cleans the stylus
- Manual carbon fibre brush
- Quick routine maintenance
- Small enough to keep by the turntable
- Ideal for regular stylus inspection and cleaning
Record Cleaner
- Cleans the record itself
- Targets contamination within the groove
- Manual or powered options available
- Useful for used and heavily contaminated vinyl
- Reduces the dirt eventually reaching the stylus
Recommended Stylus Cleaning Routine
- Remove the record from the turntable.
- Make sure the platter is stationary.
- Raise the tonearm to give yourself clear access to the cartridge.
- Inspect the stylus for visible dust or fibres.
- Hold the Clean it securely by its handle.
- Bring the carbon fibres gently into contact with the stylus area.
- Move the brush in the direction of the cantilever towards the stylus tip.
- Use light, controlled strokes rather than pressure.
- Avoid sideways movement across the cantilever.
- Repeat only as much as necessary to remove visible contamination.
- Inspect the stylus again before returning the tonearm to use.
- Store the brush somewhere clean and protected between uses.
Keep the Brush Itself Clean
A stylus cleaning brush should not become another source of contamination.
Keep the carbon fibres away from greasy fingers, dusty work surfaces and other materials that could transfer dirt onto the stylus during the next cleaning session.
Don't Touch the Carbon Fibres Unnecessarily
Handle the Clean it by its body rather than repeatedly touching the fibre tips.
Natural oils from your fingers are exactly the sort of contamination you are trying to keep away from the stylus and record groove.
Small Enough to Keep With Your Turntable Accessories
The Clean it is deliberately compact and requires no permanent installation.
It can simply be stored alongside your tracking-force gauge, cartridge alignment tools, record brush and other turntable maintenance accessories.
Key Features
- Pro-Ject Clean it
- Stylus cleaning brush
- Carbon fibre construction
- Thousands of fine carbon fibres
- Conductive carbon fibres
- Designed for stylus maintenance
- Suitable for regular cleaning
- Suitable for daily maintenance
- Removes fine dust
- Removes stylus deposits
- Helps remove accumulated contamination
- Helps eliminate static charges
- Manual cleaning
- No electrical power required
- Compact design
- Simple turntable accessory
- Suitable for cartridge maintenance
- Useful with clean-record routines
- Brush towards the stylus
- Gentle cleaning action
- Useful for moving magnet cartridges
- Useful for moving coil cartridges
- Ideal for second-hand vinyl listeners
- Complements record cleaning brushes
- Complements wet record cleaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pro-Ject Clean it?
It is a small carbon fibre brush designed specifically for cleaning and maintaining a turntable cartridge stylus.
Is the Pro-Ject Clean it still current?
Yes. It remains part of Pro-Ject's current maintenance range.
What does the Clean it remove?
Pro-Ject specifies it for removing fine dust particles and accumulated deposits from around the diamond stylus.
What are the bristles made from?
Fine conductive carbon fibres.
Why use carbon fibre?
The fine fibres provide a gentle mechanical cleaning action while their conductive properties also help deal with static charge.
Does the Clean it reduce static?
Yes. Pro-Ject specifies the conductive carbon fibres as helping eliminate static charge.
Can I use it every day?
Pro-Ject describes the Clean it as suitable for daily stylus maintenance. In practice, clean the stylus when required rather than brushing unnecessarily.
Which direction should I brush the stylus?
Pro-Ject recommends moving the brush along the direction of the cantilever towards the stylus.
Can I brush backwards?
Follow Pro-Ject's recommended direction towards the stylus rather than reversing the cleaning movement or brushing sideways across the cantilever.
Can I scrub the stylus from side to side?
No. The cantilever is delicate. Use light, controlled strokes in the recommended direction.
How hard should I press?
Very lightly. The fine carbon fibres should do the cleaning rather than force being applied to the stylus assembly.
Should the turntable be running while I clean the stylus?
No. Remove the record and clean the stylus with the turntable stationary.
Do I need cleaning fluid?
The Clean it is a carbon fibre brush intended for routine mechanical stylus cleaning. Check the cartridge manufacturer's instructions before introducing any liquid stylus cleaner.
Can I put record cleaning fluid on the Clean it?
We would not recommend applying record cleaning fluid to a cartridge. Record cleaning solutions and stylus cleaning products have different purposes. Follow the cartridge manufacturer's instructions.
Can it clean a moving magnet cartridge?
Yes, subject to the cartridge manufacturer's own maintenance guidance.
Can it clean a moving coil cartridge?
Yes, subject to the cartridge manufacturer's own maintenance guidance.
Can it be used with an Ortofon cartridge?
Henley Audio specifically notes that Ortofon recommends brush-based cleaning when maintaining its cartridges.
Will a clean stylus improve sound?
A clean stylus ensures that dust and accumulated contamination are not interfering unnecessarily with the stylus-to-groove contact. Pro-Ject recommends keeping the diamond clean for correct record reproduction.
Can a dirty stylus damage records?
Keeping both records and stylus clean is good practice for reducing unnecessary contamination and wear within the playback system.
Why does my stylus keep getting dirty?
The most common reason is contamination on the records themselves. Regular record cleaning reduces the amount of dust and debris available for the stylus to collect.
Should I clean second-hand records before playing them?
It is a good idea, particularly where records are visibly dusty or have an unknown cleaning history.
Is Clean it the same as Brush it?
No. Clean it is for the cartridge stylus. Brush it is a larger carbon fibre brush designed for the record surface.
Can I use the Clean it to brush my records?
It is designed specifically for stylus cleaning. Use a dedicated record brush such as Pro-Ject Brush it for the record surface.
Can I use Brush it on my stylus?
No. Use the Clean it, which is designed specifically for working around the much smaller and more delicate stylus assembly.
Do I still need Clean it if I own a record cleaning machine?
Yes. A record cleaning machine helps reduce the contamination reaching the stylus, while Clean it allows the stylus itself to be maintained when necessary.
How should I store the Clean it?
Keep it somewhere clean and dry near your turntable, taking care not to contaminate or crush the carbon fibres.
Should I touch the carbon fibres?
Avoid doing so unnecessarily. Oils and dirt from your fingers can contaminate the brush.
Does it need batteries?
No. It is a completely manual cleaning brush.
Does it wear out?
The brush has no powered or moving mechanism, but it should be replaced if the fibres become damaged or contaminated to the point that they can no longer be kept clean.
Is Clean it suitable for expensive cartridges?
It is intended for stylus maintenance generally, but always follow the cartridge manufacturer's specific instructions and use particularly gentle handling with delicate high-end cartridges.
Related Pro-Ject Products
Why Buy the Pro-Ject Clean it From Audio T?
Cleaning a stylus is straightforward, but it is also one of those jobs where technique matters. Cartridge cantilevers are delicate and it is worth knowing which direction to brush, how little pressure is required and when cleaning is actually necessary.
Audio T can help with the complete process, from basic stylus care through to cartridge fitting, tracking-force adjustment, alignment and deeper record cleaning.
- In-store turntable advice
- Stylus cleaning guidance
- Correct brushing technique
- Cartridge maintenance advice
- Record cleaning advice
- Carbon fibre brush guidance
- Moving magnet cartridge advice
- Moving coil cartridge advice
- Cartridge installation
- Tracking-force setup
- Cartridge alignment
- Replacement stylus advice
- Replacement cartridge advice
- General vinyl-care advice
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store for advice on keeping your stylus and records clean, setting up a cartridge or getting the best from your turntable.