What exactly causes clicks and pops on vinyl?

Hello All,

I'm sure that this topic has been discussed before but I am a bit overwhelmed by the amount of information here in the forums.

Can the Illuminati tell me what exactly causes clicks and pops on vinyl? Is it static, dust, soiled grooves or a combination of the three?

How do you go about eliminating most, if not all of the noise? I have a very limited budget now (recently bought a home) and cannot afford exotic record washing machines - even the KAB device is a bit out of reach at the moment with yet another interest rate hike here in AU.

Budgeteers, I would love to hear your solutions.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Jan