How To Store Vinyl Records
There’s a lot of discussion but it isn’t a debate: storing your records is as important as cleaning them.
Vinyl records will experience wear over the lifespan of the record. Taking great care of them in between plays will allow you to get many more spins out of them before they must be retired.
Storing vinyl records doesn’t have to be an expensive investment but it should be considered none-the-less. Storing your vinyl will allow you to easily access your records while keeping them in top shape.
I’ve made a post on the various ways you can store vinyl along with the best practices to keep them like new.
Vertically
The most proper way of storing your vinyl records is vertically, end of story.
Storing vinyl vertically will reduce the chance of your records from being scratched as if they were laying on their sides in a stack. Vertical vinyl is also easier to organize and pick out when you plan to play.
When storing vinyl vertically, there are a few practices you should remember to make sure they aren’t damaged.
Always make sure the vinyl is standing as straight as possible. Vinyl leaning to the side will eventually warp due to gravity.
If possible, use plastic sleeves to make sure dust does not come in contact with the cover and vinyl.
Try to store your vinyl within the paper sleeve to prevent scratching from the inside cover.
Vinyl stored vertically will last a very long time as long as you continue to maintenance them and make sure they are not stressed by gravity.
Horizontally
This section will be short and sweet.
Do.Not.Store.Vinyl.Horizontally
Storing your vinyl horizontally, not only makes it more difficult to organize but also leaves them vulnerable to scratching from the inside cover.
Invest in some sort of storage device, even if it’s a crate, so you can stand your vinyl up vertically.
Avoid humidity
Humidity is another factor when storing your vinyl records.
Humidity will cause mildew to condense within your plastic sleeves, covers and on your vinyl. As the humidity rises, you’ll also have an increase chance of mold growing on your records, which can also harm you if you breath it in.
Additionally, humidity and mildew will warp the sleeves and linear notes of your record. Unless you absolutely don’t care about the condition your records are in, try to keep your vinyl collection in a dry room or at least one with a dehumidifier.
Stay away from heat
Heat does all kinds of bad stuff to vinyl. The worst of all heat damages is warping.
If vinyl sits in the heat for too long, such as in your car or next to a window during a hot day, it will begin to warp which makes it almost entirely unplayable.
Vinyl is made of PVC which absorbs heat and becomes soft. Storing your vinyl next to a heater, window or a generally hot area of the house may cause your records to bend and become unplayable. In extreme cases the grooves will even begin to warp and melt which makes it completely destroyed.
Try to keep your vinyl in a cool area of the house. If possible, keep them away from windows where the sunlight has direct contact.
No smoking
Like most electronics, smoke doesn’t mix very well with circuitry – the same with your vinyl records.
Although smoke will not do as much damage as improper storing methods and heat, the smoke will cause the cardboard and paper of your vinyl records to turn brown. If you plan to keep your vinyl collection is tip-top shape, it’s best to step outside to smoke so you can avoid damaging your vinyl.
Regular maintenance
The last, but not least, part of storing your records is regular maintenance.
Yes, having a vinyl routine may seem like a chore but when you factor in the amount of time, money and effort you put into collecting your vinyl, it’s well worth the few minutes.
Maintenance should include regularly dusting, airing out and rotating your vinyl.
Dust will get between the grooves of your records which will make them sound horrible as well as possibly damaging your cartridge as the dust builds up on the needle. Airing out your vinyl will help reduce any mildew that may have been accumulating on your collection. Rotating your vinyl is a good practice to prevent vinyl from warping from gravity – such as the vinyl placed on the ends.
Maintaining your vinyl doesn’t have to be something you do every day but if you have a bit of free time you should do a few of these suggestions.
Hopefully this should clear up any question you had about storing your vinyl.
Just remember…
The main things to remember is to always store you vinyl vertically in a sturdy container or bookshelf. You should also try to keep your vinyl away from heat, smoke and humidity at all times. Try to create and follow a regular maintenance plan to make sure your vinyl stays in top shape.
Using these pointers, you should be able to hold onto your vinyl much longer than if you left them to themselves. Vinyl becomes an obsession, both collecting and listening, which is why taking care of them will allow you to listen to them as if they were still in perfect condition.
How do you store your vinyl records? Comment below!
You may also like these posts...
-
Ileane
