Everything You Need to Know About Vinyl Records Storage

Are you a seasoned vinyl records collector or just entering the world of vinyl? Regardless, proper storage is essential to ensure your various collections of vinyl records stay pristine. We at XYZ Storage understand that your vinyl records can be important to you, so we have all the answers to some of the most common questions about vinyl record storage. In addition, we have the top tips to ensure your records are kept in top condition and last for a long time.

Why Proper Vinyl Storage Is Important

Finding the proper vinyl storage materials and solutions is essential for vinyl enthusiasts given they aren’t an inexpensive entity and can hold a lot of sentimental value for many. Storing them incorrectly and not in the right environment can potentially damage the quality of the record and the sound. On top of that, it’s important to maintain the value of your collection, especially if you have limited-edition or rare records as they can be worth a ton of money. Storing your vinyl records in the proper environment is important. You want to be mindful of humidity, temperature fluctuations, and dust to avoid replacing your vinyls or repairing them down the line.

5 Tips for Organizing and Caring About Your Vinyl Collection

Now that we’ve talked about why proper vinyl music storage is important, let’s talk about the top tips for organizing your vinyl records collection.

1. Clean Your Records Before Storage

When storing your records it’s important to keep them clean at all times to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Ultimately, this protects its quality over time. Be sure to brush them to remove any dust and do so often, so you don’t need to do a deep clean later on and risk future damage. If you plan on storing them away for a long time, it’ll be good to deep clean them before you store your vinyl records away. There’s a specialized record-cleaning brush or microfiber cloth that you can use to gently remove any dust on the surface, stubborn grime, and fingerprints.

2. Store Your Records in the Correct Environment

Choosing the right environment to store your vinyl records in is critical to upkeep the condition of them. The ideal climate for vinyl record storage is in a place that avoids direct sunlight, cool, and dry, and has minimal humidity and temperature fluctuations. Fluctuating temperatures can cause mold and mildew growth and can lead to warping.

3. Invest in Good-quality Storage Solutions

Vinyl records are not an inexpensive investment so investing in good quality storage solutions can be worth it. If you own more than just a few, purchasing storage bins can be helpful to use as storage for records.

A solid vinyl record holder, like a storage bin, is great for keeping them organized as it can be easier to flip through and look at while protecting them at the same time. A solid wood bin as a vinyl record holder allows you to store your records upright, which is the proper position to store them and prevent any scratches or other damage.

Another way to ensure proper vinyl record storage is to store them on shelves in the proper position – upright. As long as the shelves are strong and sturdy you’d be able to use them as a record holder. The shelves should also be properly filled so no records will be bent. However, if you don’t have enough records to help you fill the space, whether that’s in a bin, drawer, media cabinet, or shelf, use the extra books you may have lying around.

For those of you who have a much larger collection, a record cabinet might be worth investing in. A record cabinet with a sliding door can keep your records free of dust, plus make it accessible. Another option is to use a turntable stand that has a bottom shelf so you can store your record media and essentials in one place. It’ll be the perfect solution that is both functional and stylish where you can proudly display your record collection, especially if you have limited space to store them.

4. Use Dividers

So why are dividers important to use when it comes to vinyl record storage? Dividers help with the storage of records and prevent them from damaging each other. It also allows you to label and keep your records organized so you can easily sort through them when listening to your record collection again, which can be beneficial. For example, if you want to organize them by genre or artist you can do so by using dividers.

You can choose from various materials, like plastic, metal, or wood. However, what’s more important is as long as the dividers are sturdy and will not bend your records they’ll come in handy.

5. Handle Your Records With Care

Always handle your records with care by holding them on their edges and avoiding touching the surface of the vinyl. This is to make sure you aren’t getting any fingerprints on the surface. And when removing a record from the sleeve make sure you take your time with it to avoid scratching, bending, or warping the vinyl.

Common Questions About Vinyl Record Storage

Here are answers to some of the most common questions asked about vinyl record storage.

Is It Better to Store Vinyl Records Flat or Upright?

To show your vinyl records the most care they are always best stored upright, whether you store them in bins or shelves. There’s a reason why when you visit a record store vinyl records are always stored upright. It’s important to avoid storing them on top of each other as this can cause immense pressure resulting in warping and can damage the listening quality of the records. 

How Do You Store Vinyls So They Don’t Warp?

As mentioned above, storing your vinyl records upright and vertically can help prevent warping over time. In addition, you want to ensure you store them in a safe and secure environment that won’t harm your vinyl records. For example, a cool, dry place away from any direct sunlight with little to no humidity. And lastly, you want to spend the money on investing in proper record holders that will properly support your records at all times.

Should You Keep Vinyl Records in Plastic Sleeves?

Sleeves are affordable and an absolute must to protect your vinyl records. When searching for sleeves it’s important to consider the price and type of material you choose. For instance, a commonly used material for vinyl record sleeves is polypropylene, which is a type of plastic that can aid in protecting your precious records.

There are two types of vinyl record sleeves: inner and outer. Both must be used to provide the best amount of protection for your vinyl records. So what’s the difference between the two? Inner sleeves protect the vinyl itself, while the outer sleeves protect the album cover to prevent dirt and dust. 

What Should I Do If My Records Get Wet?

Accidents do happen so it’s important to be prepared if your vinyls get wet. If it does happen, it’s important to act quickly to prevent further damage. So what exactly should you do if your records get wet? Gently blot your records using a soft, dry cloth to remove the moisture. Remember, avoid rubbing your records, since it can cause records. Lastly, let the record air dry in a cool and dry place to avoid damage.

XYZ Storage: The Best Home for Your Vinyl Records

Proper vinyl record storage is extremely important, especially if you deem them valuable and hold them near and dear to your heart. Therefore, take the time to implement the tips we’ve outlined above to ensure you’re keeping your records in top shape and prevent any damage in the future.

And if you lack the storage space to store your records properly you can consider renting a storage unit at a self-storage facility you feel confident in. Self-storage units offer a safe and controlled environment, which is ideal for preserving the condition of records.

At XYZ Storage, we are well-equipped to take care of your valuables and provide proper vinyl storage solutions. All of our self-storage facilities are temperature controlled, have top-notch security 24/7, and are conveniently accessible so you feel confident in storing your valuable belongings with us. If you have any questions, feel free to stop by any one of our self-storage facilities across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area as our storage experts would be more than happy to help you out.

Happy collecting!