Once you have visited enough record stores and amassed enough records, the big question that needs answering is: How should I store vinyl records? Not only do you want to find a vinyl record storage solution that is aesthetically pleasing for your specific listening space but it also needs to protect your precious records from getting scratched, broken, or otherwise damaged.
I. The Resurgence of Vinyl Records
With the resurgence of vinyl records there are tons of people that are new to the hobby and might have questions about how to properly store their records after hearing about how easily vinyl records can be damaged. Unlike CD’s, it’s not as simple as putting a record into its packaging and storing it anyway you please. Luckily, storing your vinyl records in a way that will not cause unwanted damage is fairly straightforward, provided you follow a few basic guidelines.
Importance of Proper Vinyl Record Storage
Compared to other forms of physical media, records are quite expensive. These days, new records are likely to cost at least $25 and many pressings will be closer to $35 or even $50 for a single record, depending on a few different factors. When you consider rare and hard to find records, the cost can grow exponentially, making proper storage even more important to protect your records.
Storing your records at the wrong temperature, in direct sunlight or stacking them improperly can quickly lead to damages that will affect sound quality or make your records unplayable. This can be a major problem if you have a lot of records stored incorrectly and could lead to hundreds or even thousands of dollars of damage.
Below I’ll discuss some basic practices that will help prevent damage to your records and discuss some different storage solutions that will keep your records in top shape without sacrificing aesthetics.
II. Vinyl Record Storage Basics
There are three basic kinds of damage that can happen to your records as a result of poor storage.
- Scratches – Scratched records can cause your record to crackle and pop during certain songs as your turntable hits these small imperfections. Deep scratches can cause your record to skip, making it unplayable.
- Warping – Records can warp when stored improperly. Playing warped records can cause major sound issues during certain parts of the songs as the needle will not be making proper contact with the surface of the record.
- Broken Records – Scratched and warped records can be somewhat playable, even if there are issues on certain songs. However, broken records are completely unplayable and can not be salvaged.
The Role of Storage in Preserving Vinyl Records
Storing your records properly is by far the easiest way to take care of your collection and protect your investment if you plan on selling the records down the line (hopefully so you can buy more records). Good record storage is also a great way to show off your records and spice up your listening space as well as make it easier to find certain records when you are ready to play them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
There are a few common mistakes that beginner vinyl record collectors will make that can cause damage to your precious records.
- Stacking records – DON’T stack records on top of each other. Records are heavy and the records on the bottom will warp by the sheer weight being pushed down on top of them. Instead, store your records as upright as possible to prevent warping.
- Storing records in environments that are too hot or too cold – Temperature can also cause damage to your records. If the record gets too hot it is far more susceptible to warping and records that are too cold can become brittle and crack easily. Be sure to store your records in rooms that have a stable temperature. Keep them away from heaters and out of the freezer.
- Storing records in direct sunlight – Storing records in direct sunlight can cause your records to warp if they become too hot. Also, UV rays will affect the record sleeve, leading it to be bleached by the sun which can affect the value of the record should you try to sell it one day. Ideally, you should store your records away from direct sunlight as much as possible.
- Storing records without proper protection – Even if you are following the above tips to store your records, the vinyl can still get scratched by the cardboard sleeve, and the outer sleeve can get damaged by rubbing against other records. To prevent this be sure to use inner AND outer sleeves on your records whenever possible to further protect them from damage.
Choosing the Right Storage Furniture
Deciding how to store your vinyl records can be a bit tricky. Vinyl-specific furniture is often extremely expensive and vinyls are a somewhat unique shape and size so they won’t fit well into many storage solutions. However, there are more and more affordable vinyl furniture options out there as well as some super budget friendly options that will tick all the boxes in terms of proper storage. If you’re looking for the absolute best in regards to aesthetics and craftsmanship there are plenty of options as well.
Vinyl Record Shelving Units
There are tons of vinyl record shelving units to choose from. Lots of major furniture manufacturers are adding vinyl storage to their lineup as the hobby grows. Usually, these shelves will have cube-shaped storage that allows collectors to slide their records in so that only the spine of the record sleeve is showing for easy browsing. Another option is the more ‘record store’ style storage racks, which display records with the front of the record sleeve facing outward so that you can flip through your collection the way you would at a record shop.
Vinyl Record Cabinets
If you want your record collection to remain slightly more hidden there are also vinyl record cabinets available. These will be similar to the above shelves but with the addition of doors to hide the collection. Technically this is ideal in terms of storage as it keeps the records away from direct light, which can damage the record sleeves and album artwork overtime. Of course, if you want to show off your collection, this might not be the best option for you.
DIY and Budget Solutions
There are tons of creative solutions that collectors have come up with to store your records in a way that looks cool and doesn’t break the bank.
Perhaps the most common record storage, and the one I am currently using, is an Ikea Kallax shelf, or something similar in shape. This is a piece of furniture that will have 6-8 “cubbies” which are the perfect size for vinyl records. These are popular for their price and availability and they come in a variety of colors so you can get one that matches the rest of your listening area. I like to use these small telescoping poles that you can purchase on Amazon to keep the records from sliding too far back into the cubby and create a more uniform look.
For an even more budget-friendly option, you can always go the milk crate route. These can often be found for extremely cheap (or even free if you know where to look) and should be a near perfect size for your records. They also have a DIY vibe to them, which some people will really like.
Another budget-friendly option that I have used in the past is a magazine or document rack like this lovely stock photo.
This can be a good way to store a smaller collection of records or to store records if you have limited space.
Of course the most budget friendly option is the one you already have on hand. Although they are not much to look at and are far from most people’s dream set-up, a simple rubbermaid box can work wonders, just make sure you store them upright.
Vintage and Unique Storage Options
Record collectors in general seem to have a particular affinity for all things vintage. This is especially true when it comes to furniture and sound equipment to play your records on. There are tons of different vintage storage solutions out there. Plenty of online stores offer vintage storage but checking out your local antique store can be a great way to get these at more reasonable prices than what you will find from specialty sellers.
IV. Essential Accessories for Vinyl Record Storage
There are some basic accessories you will want to keep your records in top shape and to prevent any kind of damage to the record itself or to the sleeve. Luckily, these are pretty easy to find with the help of the internet and are quite cheap. You might want to spend every penny you have buying more records but these accessories are well worth the investment.
Record Sleeves and Outer Jackets
Record sleeves and outer jackets are going to be the best and most reliable way to ensure that your album sleeves stay in top shape. Outer jackets are usually a piece of plastic that will hold the entire album: The record itself and the cardboard sleeve. This protects the album art from getting scuffed or torn while your records are being stored and will prevent dust from entering the sleeve and scratching the record.
Usually, these are sold in large packs and can be found from a variety of online sellers.
Many record stores will also keep these in stock so be sure to check your local shop if possible.
Inner Sleeves
While outer jackets will protect album art, the inner sleeve will protect the album itself. For many collectors, inner sleeves are even more important than outer sleeves. Most records are sold with the record tucked into a cardboard or paper inner sleeve so that it does not have direct contact with the cardboard of the record sleeve. However, these materials are still not ideal for storing a record. Instead, you will want something like these antistatic sleeves which will be more forgiving when pressed directly against your precious wax.
Anti-Static Brushes and Cleaning Supplies
When buying used records it’s especially important to use an anti-static brush and to clean the record before you play it for the first time. Sometimes records can get touched by customers quite a bit before someone actually purchases them, resulting in dust and dirt being stuck to the record. This dust and dirt can quickly become scratches in the grooves of your records once the needle passes over them.
Anti-static brushes are a simple and quick way to get some dust and dirt off your records. They look like this and can be found at many record stores. It is also important to give your records a good cleaning every once in a while using a dedicated cleaning solution. I’ll discuss cleaning your records in detail further down.
V. Organizing Your Vinyl Record Collection
Organizing your vinyl collection is something that is often not necessary early on in the hobby but might be a good idea once your collection starts to really grow. Below are some basic ways that most record collectors will organize your collection.
Alphabetical vs. Genre-Based Sorting
There are two main ways that most people will organize their collection: Alphabetical or genre-based. Both of these have distinct advantages and disadvantages.
Alphabetical might seem the most logical as it allows you to find specific albums quickly. However, if you want to listen to a jazz album but don’t have a specific one in mind, you will have to browse through your entire collection just to see what jazz records you have.
Genre-based sorting has its own problems. For one, not everyone has enough records to warrant organizing their collection based on genre and even if you do, what if something falls in between genres? This could mean splitting up certain artists’ discographies, which just feels silly.
There’s not really a right or wrong way to organize your record collection, I would recommend trying a few different methods to find what works for you and allows you to find the record you’re looking for as fast as possible.
Cataloging and Inventory Systems
Cataloging your records is another great way to keep track of your collection. The most common way to do this is to use Discogs and add each album in your collection into the “my collection” page on your profile. This allows you to get a general idea of the value of your collection as well as learn about the specific pressing you have for many records. Just keep in mind that many discogs prices are inflated so the “value” of your collection will always appear much higher on discogs than it is in reality.
Importance of Regular Maintenance
Lots of collectors see their records as an investment and if you are buying the right records they absolutely can be, especially as the value of records continues to rise. Hopefully you are only selling your records in order to fund the purchase of more records, but regardless, regular maintenance of your records is extremely important to protecting the value of your record collection.
VIII. Maintaining and Cleaning Your Vinyl Record Collection
Vinyl record storage can be a major factor when it comes to how long your records will stay in peak condition, but equally as important is maintaining and cleaning your vinyl record collection. This is fairly easy to do and should only take a few minutes to do and will keep your records sounding as perfect as possible.
Cleaning Techniques and Tools
Giving your records a proper cleaning might be a little bit of work but it is well worth the effort. There are two basic things you can do to clean your records:
- Using an antistatic brush.
- Cleaning your records with a vinyl record cleaning solution
As mentioned earlier, getting a static brush is the quickest and easiest way to clean your records. All you need to do is gently press the brush onto your record while it is spinning on your turntable and the brush will get rid of any static as well as dust and dirt that have accumulated onto your record.
Less convenient than simply using an anti-static brush is giving your records a proper clean. However, this is a far more effective way to clean your records than just using a brush.
You can clean your records using a dedicated cleaning solution such as this;
Or you can create your own by mixing a solution of 3 parts distilled water (tap water can have a high mineral content which you will want to avoid) to 1 part isopropyl alcohol and a few drops of dishwater. Regardless of the solution, simply dip a clean microfiber cloth in the solution and rub gentle circles onto the surface of your record. Then use a dry microfiber cloth to gently dry the surface of the record before playing it. When cleaning, be sure to avoid the center circle of the record with the cleaning solution as it can damage the paper.
Handling and Playing Records Safely
Knowing how to handle and play records safely is also important to the longevity of your collection. When handling your records in any way be sure to never touch the grooves of the record. Instead try to only touch the outside edge of the record. Oil and dirt from your hands can cause the record to skip or scratch when you play it.
Conclusion
There are thousands of things to consider when growing your vinyl collection. How to organize your records, how to display them, what furniture you need, how to clean your records, and so on. If this is overwhelming to you that’s ok. The most important thing is to ensure that your records stay in good shape, and as mentioned above doing so is relatively simple. Vinyl Record Storage doesn’thave to be fancy or expensive, it just needs to protect.
Invest in Proper Storage
One thing to keep in mind as you buy furniture and as your collection goes is to have a plan for when you get more records. If you want to keep all your records together you are probably going to want a solution that allows you to seamlessly add records to your collection without having to reorganize all your furniture each time you do. One solution is to rotate a small quantity of records into your listening space and keep the bulk of your collection elsewhere. This allows for the best of both worlds as it can provide a much cleaner look if you have tons of records but you still have easy access to what you want to listen to.