NOTE: DO NOT WASH WITH SOFT WATER OR WATER THAT HAS HIGH CONTENT OF COPPER (RURAL & SMALL COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS). CHECK WITH YOUR WATER PROVIDER. SWITCH TO DISTILLED WATER, IF NECESSARY.

1.  In general, RED, WHITE, or BLUE color background labels before 1970 without testing first.

2.  Labels that are torn, scratched, or damaged.

3.  Labels that have the “Deep Groove” (trough circle with two edges in the label area).

4.  78 RPM record labels

5.  Import records (not very much information at this time)

a. Timeless Records: Red Labels

6.  Do not wash records with these specific record company labels due to bleeding damage:

a.  Argo:  Dark Blue Labels

b.  Archive of Folk & Jazz Music:  Orange Labels, early 70’s

c.  Bethlehem:  Red Labels

d.  Blue Note:  Blue and White Labels, 1954 to early 70’s, includes those with Lexington address: 47 W. 63rd, those w/ Div. of Liberty, and those with New York, USA

e.  Columbia:  Red Labels, 10″ labels (late 40’s and early 50’s)

f.  Everest:  Orange Labels, early 70’s

g.  Jazzland:  Orange Labels

h.  Liberty:  Aqua Blue Labels, 1955-60

i.  Mercury:  Red Labels, early 60’s

j.  New Jazz:  Purple Labels

k.  Prestige International:  Orange Labels

l.  Smash:  Red Labels, distributed by Mercury

m.  Springboard (UP FRONT):  Maroon Labels

n.  Swingville:  Purple Labels

o.  Tradition:  Orange Labels, early 70’s

p.  Design/Pickwick:  Red Labels

q. Jazztone: white(bone) labels

r. Gene Norman: white labels w/blue text

s. Enja records with Yellow Labels

t. Ethnic Folkways: 1950’s white labels with blue print

u. Grand Records: Orange Labels

v. Checker: Red labels 1960’s

7.  If there are any doubts about washing the LP’s label, take a damp cotton cloth and rub the label gently to see if anything comes off on the cloth. In the case of testing WHITE LABELS, rub the label, draw the cloth across the trail off area to see if any of the white smears into the trail off area.