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Make sure the needle is good, and replace it if you're not sure.
I personally clean my records every time I play them with a standard D4 record-cleaning brush. If you want to use a fluid, just use a few drops of distilled water; I have found that stuff like D4 record cleaning fluids can cause buildup and have stopped using it.
This might sound stupid, but do not ever touch the playing surface. It's totally possible to own a record for your whole lifetime without ever touching the playing surface with your fingers. I hate seeing people grab the edge between their thumb and forefinger. Just slide it out onto your hand, with your fingers on the label and your thumb on the edge. Easy as pie. I know this is elementary, so forgive me if this sounds condescending to say.
Also, I recommend not storing the LPs in the inner sleeve with the opening facing out the jacket opening. Not only does this increase the risk of accidentally having the record roll out and hit the floor, but storing the inner sleeve with the opening facing up makes for a good seal against dust coming into the jacket. I also put my LPs in outer polybags, but I am anal like that.
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