Vinyl records are one of the most long-lasting forms of music around however despite this, the media format’s detractors often point to the scratch and crackling noises that many records can create.
This is symptomatic of the misunderstanding that rather than being an inherent flaw of the medium, it’s actually a symptom of poor care. Fresh records don’t have these problems, but once they’re left open to the elements or dirty fingerprints then the problems can start. Vinyl neglect can lead to serious and irreparable damage to your treasured records, and one of the best ways to combat this is with careful storage.
The best and most sensible forms of vinyl storage involve inner and outer sleeves, as well as upright shelving storage, and heavy-duty transportation crates. The most well looked after collections are always store carefully and properly.
Improper care can lead to scratches, surface noise, and warping. Good care starts with good storage, so here’s my 12 step guide on how to store vinyl records.
Inner sleeves
Of all the tips I can give you here on vinyl storage, this is the one that’s I stress over all the others. When not being played, your records will be bedded in with its inner sleeve, so it’s crucial that you have the right kind of material.
The majority of records come with a paper inner sleeve, but over time these can rub against your vinyl as you remove and return them again and again. This effectively turns the sleeve into sandpaper and create surface noise on your record.
Plastic varieties of inner sleeve are much kinder on your records and won’t create this effect. I tend to have my vinyl wrapped in plastic which is then in turn stored in the original paper sleeve.
You can usually buy these in bulk packs of 50, so I recommend stocking up and reorganizing your record collection. It will be worth it in the long run.
My pick: This 50-pack of inner sleeves is anti-static and perfect for 12” records. Get them here.
Outer sleeves
Outer sleeves are sometimes neglected in comparison to inners, but I always get them to accompany my inner plastic sleeves. Outers protect your record’s card sleeve, helping to prevent it from folding or creasing.
More importantly though, outer sleeves create a shell around the record and help prevent dust getting its way through to the vinyl.
Try to stay away from heavy gauge plastic. These can sometimes stick to the sleeve and damage the artwork. Instead opt for the cheaper soft versions.
Just like with inner sleeves, they can come in sizes fits for both 12” albums and 7” singles.
My pick: This 50-pack of sleeves is clear and wrinkle-free, creating an almost unnoticeable shield for your record artwork. Get them here.
Store standing upright
Before I get onto storage shelves and create, it’s important to mention how vinyl should be positioned. The golden rule is to store them upright. When left horizontal, records are prone to warping, so never pile them on top of each other.
Also even if you are storing them vertically, try to avoid cramming them into a given space. Any pressure on them can also lead to warping. Luckily, record shelving units are always neatly broken up into squares, which helps ease any undue weight on your collection.
Shelving
No home vinyl collection is complete without a good storage unit, and shelving in particular make for the ultimate furniture eye-porn.
If you pack out a large unit, you will need to firm up the structure to make sure it doesn’t tip over. Invest in some L-shaped metal brackets to shore up the strength of each shelf.
My pick: Ikea’s Kallax collection is perfect for any record collection, whether you have a burgeoning library or just a few albums to your name. The collection comes in a variety of sizes and colors, and are perfectly designed to house vinyl sleeves.
Record dividers
If you have a large collection then there’s no shame in taking pride in it by keeping it highly organized. As your collection grows it can increasingly become impossible to keep track of everything.
Dividers can help stop you going insane. Whether you want to divide alphabetically or by genre, there are great options out there to help you start organizing.
Admittedly, I’m an organization nerd so love investing in record dividers, but if your collection is pushing past 100 then it’s worth the extra expe.se
My pick: These beautiful A-Z dividers on Etsy are handmade and crafted from wood.
Storage Crates
While shelving might be the aesthetic choice for home music libraries, storage crates are fantastic for either archiving treasured records or transporting them.
This form of storage is loved by vinyl DJs as they offer a practical transport option while providing a hard protective shell around their records.
These are often also referred to as ‘flight cases’, and the best varieties come with internal paddings and steel corners that provide extra strength to the case.
This Odyssey box is just one of many ‘flight cases’ out there. This example is a strong, aluminum case that can store anywhere up to 50 LPs. It comes with internal padding and chrome plated steel corners for additional strength and protection.
My pick: The Odyssey Flight Case (here on Amazon) is perfect for strong and reliable mobile vinyl storage. It stores 50 LPs, has inner foam lining and an easy-carry handle.
Vinyl Bags
Another LP transport option, vinyl bags offer a more lightweight option than flight cases. While they might not be as robust as storage cases, they are much easier to have on the move with you. They often don’t compromise on space either, with plenty of size options offering enough space for as many as 50 LPs.
My pick: This Magma Riot bag on Amazon can carry 50 records, and also has extra pockets for additional equipment, like headphones and leads.
Archive Storage
If you’re short on space or have any particularly valuable records that you want to store away, investing in a means of archiving them for storage can be a great solution.
In comparison to storage crates, this is a much more affordable mean of storage that still creates a protective way of preserving your collection. Heavy-duty plastic forms the durable box and can be easily stored away in a cupboard or attic.
My pick: The Really Useful Box offers reliable storage, with lock-down buckles to keep your records protected.
Out of sunlight
While you can invest all you want in good inner sleeves, beautiful shelving and storage crates, if you leave your records in the wrong environment then you will undo all of your hard work.
One of the biggest fundamental rules is to keep your records out of sunlight. Much like with any form of artwork, both your vinyl sleeve and the vinyl itself will depreciate over time if left exposed. The artwork will fade and crack, while the disc will warp.
Keep your records in a shaded room or area, away from your windows and direct sunlight.
Out of hot or cold areas
Another environment criteria here. It’s crucial that you keep your records out of areas where they will be exposed to either overly warm or cold temperatures.
When vinyl is hot it can melt and warm, which will render them useless. On the other end of the spectrum, if exposed to cold temperatures then the disc will become brittle and easy to break.
Aim for just below room temperature for the best results.
Avoid humidity
Humid areas are definitely a no-go for your records. Humidity can lead to mold or mildew, so try to avoid non-insulated environments like basements, garages, attics or sheds.
35% humidity is the benchmark set by professional archivists for optimum storage conditions, so I recommend you try to follow this when selecting the room for your record collection.
Avoid dust
Humidity isn’t the only killer when it comes to lousy storage environments. Dust very often the reason why so many records become dirty and ruined. To combat this, try to avoid leaving your records in infrequently visited areas of your house unless they are in airtight storage, like a flight case or archive box.
If your record spines are exposed (remember not to leave them piled horizontally!) then aim to dust them at least once a week.
Over to you
I want to hear from avid vinyl collectors. What are your quick storage tips for good and proper storage? Have you had any bad storage experiences? Let me know in the comments below.
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