Although vinyl records went out of fashion for a while, it wasn’t long before they came back into style and swept the world again with their popularity.
In 2020 alone, over 5 million vinyl records were sold in the United Kingdom, so you can double that figure for the United States.
People love vinyls more than ever, but it is important that you take good care of vinyl’s. They are not like CD’s or memory sticks, they need a lot of tender love and care, and you need to make sure that these musical marvels stay unscratched, and untainted.
So many people know so little about vinyl record storage, most just know that it looks pretty when you store them in a vinyl storage box and arrange them in alphabetical order.
That is just the pretty part of owning vinyl records, vinyls are more complex as you can learn from Robert Halvari at NotesOnVinyl.com, they need care, so here are 5 important tips that you need to be in the know about vinyl storage.
#1. Always Check Temperatures Of Potential Storage Area
While records can withstand low temperatures, they do need a moderate temperature when you are going to store them for the long term. This means they need to be between 7 and 10 degrees Celsius or 44 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can store the ones you use on a more regular basis at higher temperatures, such as around 18 to 21 degrees Celsius, or 64 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit. But do note that anything higher than this will likely warp and damage the records.
Any damage or warping to your records will damage the quality of their sound.
#2. Ensure You Have A Sturdy Vinyl Storage Container
Temperature is not the only factor you need to consider, you want to consider a sturdy container for storage. If you have a large collection of records, or if you intend to build one up, you may want to invest in vinyl storage boxes, their capacity is the main reason for doing this.
However, another upside of this would be that it will save your home from clutter caused by your collection, which will make your home nice and tidy, and will keep your vinyls safe and free from any accidental damage caused by just lying around.
That being said, always ensure that your vinyls are put away neatly in a sleeve before you put them into their storage box.
#3. Know How To Handle Vinyl Records
Owning vinyls is one thing, knowing how to properly handle them so that you preserve them for longer is another thing.
You should always handle them with the utmost care. Only use your hands to gently touch the edges of the records, and never touch them in the center, doing so will damage the record.
This is so important because realistically you could store them with all the care and love in the world, but if you are not physically tentative and cautious about where you are touching them, you will undo all your hard work and all the money you have spent on your collection with the simple brush of a finger.
#4. Take The Caution To Invest In A Turntable Stand
Turntables are always a good idea. They are pivotal for any collection, otherwise, listening to the tunes you have collected would be pretty much impossible.
You need to purchase a good, quality turntable, there are plenty of these that also come with capabilities in storage. It basically saves you money as it is essentially a 2 for the price of 1 deal.
You enjoy high quality music, and have an option for storage. We don’t see any downsides here.
#5. Always Clean Them Before Storing Them
Before you slip your vinyls back into their sleeves, you need to clean them. But you can’t clean them like a CD, DVD, or your glasses. Never use your shirt to clean your records, it could be made from wool directly shaved from a sheep, traces of dust and dirt can scratch it up.
You need a cleaning brush, they are specifically made for this kind of thing, they remove dust and grime easily and gently. They are also super simple to use as well.
You just hold them brush on your record while it spins very slowly. However, if you need something a bit more hardcore, then get a vinyl cleaning solution, spray it on, and wipe with a microfiber cloth.
