Picture this: during a recent attic purge, you find some family VHS tapes. You haven’t played them in a while, and you’re excited to see what’s on them.
Upon closer inspection, however, you notice something is wrong. The once-pretty black magnetic film now contains all sorts of white spots. Though this could simply be dirt or debris, it’s much more likely to be VHS mold.
Unfortunately, this is something that happens a lot with old tapes. If they’re not stored in a cool, dry place, they’ll eventually fall prey to mold. And once mold gets there, your tape will be unusable until you clean it off.
Want to rescue your family memories from mold? Read on to find out if your VHS tapes are salvageable and how to safely clean them!
Are Your Tapes Salvageable?
First things first: if the mold is heavy or deep enough, you’ll likely need to throw the tape out. You can try cleaning it, but it probably won’t help.
The good news: not many tapes are truly unsalvageable. Most moldy tapes simply contain surface mold, which is only a mild annoyance. Surface mold can’t damage the tape and it’s relatively simple to get rid of.
You can tell if things are serious by the look of the mold. Small and furry white dots here and there usually aren’t an issue. If the mold covers the film in long strips or large portions, your chances of cleaning it are low.
And before you think about trying to watch moldy tapes, consider what that will do. If those mold spores have any life in them, they’ll spread to the VCR. From there, they’re a threat to other tapes and even your health.
How to Clean off VHS Mold
If you believe you can save your VHS tape, there are two ways you can go about it. You can use a mechanical cleaner or clean the tape manually.
Method #1: Mechanical Tape Cleaner
Mechanical tape cleaners are rare, but they do their job well. If you have this machine (or can get one), here’s how to use it to clean your tapes.
What You’ll Need
To use this method, you’ll need:
- VHS tape cleaner
- Phillips screwdriver
- Q-tips or cotton swabs
- Isopropyl Alcohol
Rewind the Tape
First, insert the tape you want to clean into the machine. Then, use the cleaner to fast-forward the tape to the end. Most cleaners allow you to do so with the click of a button, but check the instruction manual to be sure.
Once you’ve fast-forwarded the tape, run the cleaner for a full cycle. This will allow the machine to rewind the tape and clean it as it goes. On most VHS cleaners, all you’ll need to do is press the “Clean” button.
Open and Clean the Tape
After running one cleaning cycle, take the tape out of the machine. Use the Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws from the casing that holds the film. If this screwdriver doesn’t fit, try a flathead screwdriver instead.
Put the screws on the side, as you’ll need them later. Then, separate the casings so you can reach the film inside. If your tape has some sort of seal (like a sticker) on the side, slice it open gently with a small knife.
Now dip a Q-tip in some isopropyl alcohol. Swab the casing and the inside of the empty reel to get rid of any mold or other debris. Don’t try to clean the reel itself — that’s what your tape cleaner is for!
Repeat the Process
Once you’ve cleaned the empty reel, screw the casings back onto the tape. Then, use the tape cleaner to fast-forward the tape. On most cleaners, you can do it by running another cleaning cycle.
Remove the tape from the machine and unscrew the casings again. Repeat the process with the Q-tip and alcohol with the other empty reel. Don’t bother cleaning the reel with the tape, as that part should already be clean.
Finally, screw the casings back on and rewind your tape to the beginning. That way, you’ll be able to start watching the tape as soon as you pop it into the VCR.
Method #2: Manual Cleaning
As mentioned above, VHS tape cleaners can be hard to find. If this machine isn’t an option, you can always try to clean the tape manually.
What You’ll Need
To use this method, you’ll need:
- Phillips screwdriver
- Q-tips
- Rubber bands
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Lint-free cloth
- Spare VCR
You can also use your own VCR, but the risk of contamination is high. It’s better to head to eBay and buy a spare VCR for about $10-$20.
Set the Stage
Before you do anything else, ensure your tapes are dry. Handling wet film is all but guaranteed to cause damage to the tape. If you’ve kept the tapes in a humid environment, place them in a dry space for as long as needed.
Also, you’ll want to be in a room with a lot of light and a big flat surface to put the VCR on. This method isn’t particularly demanding for a DIY project, but it’s important to see what you’re doing.
Create a Q-Tip Stack
Take four Q-tips, bunch them together (2×2), then cut off the cotton bits on one end. That way, the stack will have a flat edge if you hold it vertically. Secure your stack with a rubber band.
Take your cloth and wrap it around the stack. Half of the cloth should be around the Q-tips, and the other should look like a rolled-up rug. Fold that part at the end and secure it to the Q-tips with another rubber band.
Now your Q-tip stack has a flat, smooth cloth-covered area. Take another Q-tip and rub some alcohol on that area. Don’t try to dunk the entire stack into alcohol — you want it wet, not soaked!
Find the Right Spot
Take the cover off the spare VCR with your screwdriver. Put the moldy VHS tape in and rewind it to the start. Find an area between the cylinders that control the tape and put the wet side of the Q-tip stack against the film.
You’ll know you’ve found the right spot if you see the film bend a little. If the film bends too much, it may cause damage. If it barely bends or doesn’t bend at all, you’re wasting your time.
Clean the Tape
Once you’ve found the sweet spot, fast-forward the tape. Hold the stack still until your VCR completes the play-through. When it’s done, re-wet the stack, place it on the opposite end of the film, and press rewind.
You might need to repeat this process a few times to get every bit of mold. If the mold hasn’t set in too deep, though, the tape will look as good as new. Keep in mind that most VHS mold will be on the edges, not the center.
Make sure not to move the Q-tip stack while the VCR is working. Moving it side to side might loosen the film and create crinkles. Moving the stack up and down is likely to cause even worse damage.
Preventing Future Mold Growth
Even if you’ve managed to rescue your VHS tapes, the mold may come back. Here are some tips that will help you keep your family memories mold-free.
Maintaining Your Tapes
The golden VHS rule: the less you handle the tapes, the easier it is to preserve them. Even if you don’t drop the tapes, the particles from your fingers can damage the film and erode the video.
Next, store your tapes in a dry, cool place. Don’t put them in direct sunlight and keep them away from magnets and speakers. Also, always store your tapes vertically rather than horizontally.
When you’re done watching a tape, rewind it to the beginning. Leaving it paused in the middle will stretch the tape over time. Rewinding the tape is the best way to ensure it will stay as tight as possible.
Converting Your Tapes
Beyond protecting the tapes themselves, consider converting the film to another format. This makes it easier to check out the footage and protects you from your VHS tapes reaching the end of their life expectancy.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to convert VHS to DVD. These days, many video editing companies offer these services. All you need to do is send your tapes in, and they’ll provide you with DVDs.
VHS video transfer can also be a fun DIY project. All you’ll need is a VCR, analog-to-digital converter, and some storage media. Once you digitize your tapes, you can transfer the content anywhere you want.
Now You Know How to Deal with VHS Mold
As you can see, VHS mold can be a serious problem. If your tapes are still salvageable, though, this guide will let you know what to do with them.
Interested in converting your VHS tapes to other formats? At Envision Video Services, we can convert your videos to the storage media of your choice! Place your order now to preserve your family memories ASAP!