You need the best vinyl record sleeves to clean your records properly. Vinyl records need specialized storage to maintain their perfect state because of their size and high build quality.
Knowing where and how to preserve your records will help maintain them in good condition for years to come, both in terms of appearance and sound.
Read on to learn how to keep your vinyl records.
Here’s How to Keep Vinyl Records
1. Put Dividers
Make sure you have some firm, solid dividers if you have a few shelves to divide up your data.
All you need to support your records is some thick wood between them.
Rather than tilting to a side on the shelf, you should put LPs upright. If you do this, you will lessen the struggle on the records.
Additionally, you may utilize them to assist with organizing. Label every divider based on its genre, or utilize it to organize your albums alphabetically.
2. Don’t Put Records on Top of Each Other
Whether the records are in their jackets or not, stacking them might cause irreparable harm. The weight will cause the vinyl to distort and may even fracture or leave scuff marks.
Stacking records in storage also puts the sleeve artwork in danger.
3. Avoid Exceptionally Hot or Chilly Places
Vinyl records may melt and deform at the edges in scorching environments, rendering them unusable.
Your records can become brittle when exposed to lower temperatures and will be simpler to break. For optimal results, maintain your records at 10 °C, slightly below room temperature.
If the records are in colder conditions, gradually raise the temperatures over several hours.
Sudden temperature changes from cold to hot might lead to unwelcome moisture, damaging the LP cover.
4. Avoid Dusty Locations
The main cause of soiled and damaged records is dust. As a result, avoid keeping your vinyl records in secluded spaces exposed to the elements.
Alternatively, box your albums loosely so that only the cardboard edges are exposed to dust. Expect to dust your records’ edges once a week for the best results.
5. Combine Your Inner and Outer Sleeves
It is insufficient only to have an inner sleeve. It will go a long way toward completely protecting your record from dust if combined with an outer sleeve that sits on top of the cardboard sleeve.
The outer sleeve should also be made of a light, smooth material. Vinyl records will weigh down in heavy plastic sleeves, sticking to the artwork and eventually peeling off. You also require a sleeve with lots of space with this in mind!
6. Consider Shelving
You should avoid emptying your whole record collection into a trash can due to the pressure issue. They will keep falling and pushing against themselves as time passes, possibly doing long-term harm.
Instead, choose a shelf arrangement that will allow you to keep different record-related portions distinct.
Instead of a metal shelf, you may use a wooden one to reduce static. Your records will be more shielded from dust accumulation and static energy.
7. Keep Your Vinyl Collection Upright While Storing It
To keep vinyl records in good shape, they must be kept upright when stored. The unequal pressure which has been applied to records that have been kept at a slant for a long time might cause them to warp.
For this reason, records are frequently stored in boxes that hold them upright. Your records will remain evenly upright with minimal to no slanting thanks to crate dividers.
8. Avoid Pressure
Individuals’ biggest error while keeping vinyl records is failing to consider the pressure applied to them.
Usually, a 12-inch LP weighs over 5 ounces. The final LP in line would be under 15-20 pounds of pressure if there were 50 of them on the shelf.
That won’t be a problem for a moment or two. Ensure all of the records are manageable after storing them for a lengthy period.
9. Always Wipe Recordings Before Placing Them Inside Their Jackets
First and foremost, never wipe your records with your t-shirt! Even if you believe your shirt is soft and clean, the traces of dirt and fibers might harm or scratch your vinyl. Use the proper equipment for the task.
You may buy a vinyl-cleaning solution if your record requires a more thorough cleaning. Avoid the label, and instead, just spray the solution on record and wipe using a microfiber towel in a circular motion.
To keep your records appearing and, more importantly, playing like new, perform this procedure every six months.
10. Avoid Extremely Humid Environments
Avoid places with high humidity or leaky roofs since these conditions might encourage mold growth on your vinyl.
Stay away from garages, attics, basements, and sheds, unless they are well-sealed and insulated. If feasible, keep the records in a space with 35% humidity.
Final Take
Make sure your records are stored somewhere dry and away from harsh lighting. Also, be careful not just to stack them on top of one another.
If you follow this guide, your vinyl collection should remain intact for many years. Also, remember that with proper cleaning using the best vinyl record sleeves, you’ll be good to go!
