Store records correctly - you should pay attention to this
If you store your records correctly, their lifespan increases and the sound quality is better preserved. Regardless of whether you still regularly put on your vinyl or only rarely play the LPs of your youth: Optimal storage in everyday life or long-term storage of your "black gold" are a must for every analog PVC fan. We give you 10 tips on how to ideally store your panels.
How to store records correctly
- If possible, store your plates with the inner cover in the cover. If you no longer have the inner cover, buy a new one rather than inserting the plate directly into the cover: the rough and fibrous cardboard covers leave significantly more paper dust in the grooves.
- Always make sure that the opening of the inner shell is facing up. This ensures that the plate does not fall off when you pull it out of the cover. The photo shows you.
- With PVC protective covers, you can also protect your records from dust and pressure points.
- Do not stack your plates, but place them side by side. It is best to store your records in a cabinet, shelf or box - ideally with the cover opening to the inside of the cabinet. So you can read the plate name and less dust gets into the case. In boxes with the cover facing forward, you can "leaf through" your LP collection particularly well.
- If you have no space for upright LPs, stack a maximum of 20 records on a surface that is as flat as possible. If you stack more panels, it may deform.
- Don't put your plates too tight and just don't squeeze them. Permanent static pressure can deform records. You also need at least two fingers wide so that you don't have to use your fingernails to fray your records.
- Extreme heat damages vinyl records. Therefore, they do not belong in attics, near radiators or windows on the south side.
- Moisture does little damage to the records themselves. The possible formation of mold is dangerous in high humidity. Mold spores are unhealthy for you and can also make your LPs sick by storing them in the grooves.
- If you store your panels in a room with high humidity, place the panels even closer together so that the air can circulate between them. Then only cover your record collection with blankets or cloths to protect them from dust. A condensed mold can form under plastic films due to condensed air humidity and insufficient air circulation.
10. An often underestimated tip for storing records:
It's best not to store your record collection too far from your turntable. In contrast to your digital media library, listening to records takes a certain amount of effort. If you now have to climb stairs to hear your favorite disc, there is a great risk that at some point you will only turn on your streaming service. Then you can sell your records right away.
If you love your records, check out our tips on buying and cleaning records. To preserve your treasures forever, our tips on digitizing records and improving the sound of dubbed records will help you.