Some people use old milk crates, others use shelving units while some unfortunate people are stuck rigging up their own containers or leaving them in boxes.

For those of you that have begun or already have a vinyl collection going, here are a few various ways you can store you vinyl records.

Crates

Crates have been used to store vinyl since people started collecting them it seems. Crates are simple which is why so many people tend to flock to them.

Crates are very sturdy, often made of plastic which won’t break down like wooden crates. Although there is a hefty fine for stealing milk and food crates, they’re still one of the main ways people store their vinyl.

You can often find crates at local thrift shops for pennies on the dollar because people have no real use for them. If you’re not so much the law abiding citizen, you could always acquire a few of these around grocery stores (not implying anything). Crates can hold many records as well and if they’re large enough, you could easily stack them on top of one another.

The only problem with some milk crates are if they’re too small. Having crates too small means your vinyl will be loose and possibly bend if stacking them on their side. If you do go the crate route, try to grab up some of the larger ones – this way you don’t have to worry about any of these problems.

Book/Shelving Units

Book and shelving units are the best bang for your buck when storing your vinyl records.

Unlike stack able crates, the shelving units will allow you to organize your vinyl collection while holding them in place to avoid any damage. Shelving units can also blend well with the rest of your furniture in comparison to mismatched crates stacked on top of one another.Shelving units also allow you to hold a vast amount of vinyl in comparison to the limited space of crates, boxes and other methods.

Shelving units do not need to be expensive either although you get what you pay for – something to consider when you have a very respectable collection sitting on a shaky shelving unit. You could find shelving units at thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales and in retail stores. All you have to do is look around and bargain with the owner.

You will want to make sure the shelving unit is very sturdy as well. If possible, check for any weight limit or test it out by placing weights on each shelf. There’s nothing worse than organizing all of your vinyl to have the shelf break and potentially damage your vinyl from the fall.

DIY Storage

For those who are winging it, making your own set of shelving units or boxes may be all you have to store your vinyl.

Hopefully you’ll be able to invest in some crates or shelving units in the future but for now you may be stuck with what you have. One cheap DIY method of storing your vinyl is to use two cinder blocks, a long board and some cloth to create essentially book ends for your vinyl.

When creating your make-shift storage unit you’ll want to make sure the vinyl will be able to stand up straight and level with the room. Use a thick cloth over the ends of the cinder blocks to prevent any scratching to the sleeve if it had direct contact. You also have two options with the board: place it over the top to stand your vinyl straight or place it on the bottom to give it a sturdy, level support.

There are plenty of other ways to create your own vinyl storage – all you need to do is look around and be crafty. Just remember to avoid placing your vinyl on their sides, you’ll want to stack them vertically.

Boxes

For those who are completely shit out of luck, you’re probably stuck with boxes.

If you’re lucky enough, you may have the option of using thick boxes much like comic book boxes to hold your vinyl. These boxes are often rigid enough to hold quite a bit of weight as well as keep them vertical and organized.

If you’re really out of any storage possibilities, you may be stuck with a regular old box. There’s not much you can do at this point other than use the box just to hold the stacks together. Do yourself a big favor and at least find some crates or pick up a cheap book shelf from a thrift store. Leaving your vinyl in moving boxes will allow humidity to get to them, the vinyl will warp and it will be a haven for insects to damage your vinyl.

And so much more…

There various storage methods are only but a few ways to store your vinyl records. There are plenty of various pieces that you can use to keep track and protect your vinyl from damages caused by improper storage.

Your best bet is to invest a few bucks in a shelving unit if you’re at all serious about taking care of your vinyl. The shelving unit will allow you easy access to your vinyl while creating a great system for maintenance and protection. These storage methods should help you understand what options you have and where to get them.

How do you store your vinyl records? Comment below.

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!