How to Store Vinyl Records? | Angelshorn®


The method you save your vinyl records can have a powerful influence on the durability of your albums. You understand precisely what we suggest if you've ever acquired documents from a garage or backyard sale sitting in an attic for years.

Vinyl is a fragile medium, and it is straightforward to harm if you do not understand how to keep it appropriately. The environment, temperature level, humidity, and other elements all add to the health and condition of your LPs.

We will inform you of whatever you require to understand about vinyl storage, consisting of where to keep records, how to save them, and all of the typical errors and mistakes you need to want to prevent.

Where to Store Vinyl Records


The area you pick to keep your record collection is vital to keeping your albums. Many people like to chuck their old LPs in a shed or an attic. However, this is not constantly the very best option. When checking out storage choices for your vinyl records, there are a couple of aspects you require to think about.

Temperature level


The first and crucial element to think about is the space temperature level of the location. You wish to save vinyl records in an excellent place-- not too cold, but not too hot. It can lead to warping and other harmful results if the vinyl is exposed to high heat for prolonged durations of time.

That can be an excellent option if you have a temperature-controlled attic or storage system. Most attics will get far hotter than the rest of the home. Cellars can be a perfect option. However, you must pay close attention to the wetness level because of the location.

Humidity


When it comes to keeping your vinyl records is, the humidity level the 2nd most essential element to think about. High humidity or wetness in the air can trigger substantial damage to your albums with time.

The Northeast Document Conservation Center suggests you keep LPs at a temperature level of around 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit and a 30-40 percent humidity level.

A regular house and an ended-up basement are generally perfect for this, as they will stay cooler without getting as damp as a cellar might. Attempt to discover a space in your home that will remain cool and usually have low humidity if that isn't a choice.

Light


This is something that many people do not consider; however, it is likewise crucial if you wish to keep your records in the best condition possible. Extreme direct exposure to intense lights and direct sunshine can, with time, damage your LPs. This is particularly real with ultraviolet light.

This will not be a concern most of the time; however, if you have a big window beside your records or a plant-growing setup with UV lights, take care not to save your documents given the light.

How to Store Vinyl Records


You'll likewise require figuring out how you're going to save them when you've picked a place to keep your collection of albums. There are 2 kinds of storage for vinyl records-- long-lasting and short-term storage.

Short-term vinyl record storage


You will wish to utilize a short-term storage option for records that you actively listen to. You can keep these on a rack under your turntable and pull them out as you use them. The temperature level for these can rise closer to 70 degrees. However, you'll wish to ensure still the humidity is not expensive.

When in constant usage, you will not require to be as mindful with how you keep them. As long as you are cleaning them appropriately in the past and after each play, you do not have a lot of records remaining on your rack.

Records will generally feature a paper sleeve. However, the plastic ones are far exceptional. Utilizing paper sleeves can scratch your documents over time. If you're able to choose plastic instead, prevent them.

External sleeves are usually made from plastic and assist in securing both the cardboard album cover and the vinyl inside. If you buy old records, you are most likely to still have an inner sleeve than an external sleeve; however, both are valuable in safeguarding your LPs.

Long-lasting vinyl record storage.


Many individuals do not understand how to effectively keep their vinyl collections long-lasting. You will desire to discover a more long-term location to keep them if they are not touched for a year or more.

There are a couple of things you'll wish to bear in mind when putting your records into storage, specifically if you have a great deal of them.

Pressure


When saving vinyl records is, not thinking about the pressure that is positioned on them the most typical error individuals make. A 12-inch LP generally weighs more than 5 ounces. That's between 15-20 pounds of pressure leaning on the last LP in line if you have 50 of these on a rack.

For a minute or more, that will not be an issue. If you're putting records away for a prolonged time, make sure there isn't too much pressure weighing on any documents. This can trigger warping, groove distortion, and other issues.

Shelving


Due to the pressure issue, you wish to prevent tossing all of your records into a bin if possible. They will continue to press and fall on themselves as time goes on, possibly triggering long-lasting damage.

Instead, go with some shelving option where you can keep areas of records separated. You do not wish to have more than 15 records leaned on one another on a rack, as more than that will result in undesirable pressure.

Dividers


If you cannot have a lot of racks to separate your records with, ensure you have some strong, strong dividers. These are not difficult to discover online. You require some thick wood to a location in between your records to assist support them.

Preferably, LPs must stand directly on the shelf instead of leaning to one side. This will assist in reducing the pressure put on completion records. You can achieve this by putting a divider every 4-6 inches.

You can utilize these to assist arrange your collection. Label each divider by category or use them to position your records in alphabetical order when this is a terrific choice that takes care of 2 concerns.

Vinyl Me Please has a terrific DIY guide for developing your record dividers if you desire to offer it a shot. This might not be for everybody. However, it can conserve you some cash and be a lot more enjoyable while doing so.

Cleaning up


One last note on long-lasting storage, make sure to completely clean them before positioning them in storage. Angelshorn® Turntable Blog has a substantial guide on record cleansing, consisting of how to profound clean old, run-down records.

Be sure to brush them down with an anti-static brush to eliminate any dust or particles in the grooves if they are brand-new records. If that sits in time, it can work its method too deep into the form to be eliminated, and the next time you play it, the stylus will embed that dust into the LP. When playing the LP back, this leads to a lot of crackling and avoiding.

When Storing Vinyl Records, typical Mistakes

We discussed a few of these earlier; however, we see some typical concerns when individuals attempt to keep their collections. Here is a summary of things to prevent:

  • Attic storage: If they are not temperature level managed, attics usually get far too hot for long-lasting vinyl record storage.
  • Cellar storage: Cellars and basements generally have the best temperature levels. However, they will be too damp to save a record in lots of houses.
  • Excessive pressure: Keep your records separated with dividers. Absurd pressure results in warping and other problems
  • No sleeves: Outer and inner sleeves are essential to keeping your vinyl dust-free. It creates dust like a magnet if fixed electrical energy constructs up on the vinyl.
  • Weak shelving: Vinyl is heavy. The shelving might quickly break under the weight of the records if you do not have a strong rack under your collection.

In conclusion-- ensure that you're keeping your records in an excellent, dry location, devoid of intense lights. And ensure you do not simply stack them all on top of each other. As long as you follow these actions, it would be best if you had a healthy vinyl collection for several years to come.

These outstanding ambient sound vinyl records should be turned on the best quality turntables to make our post-get off work couch more enjoyable.
“Turntable” + “Wine/Whiskey” + “Ambient Sound Vinyl” — a combination that doesn’t sound good, but it always makes our eyes shine; let’s do it.

Angelshorn® Turntable

The most amazing retro turntable under $200:

Angels Horn Store:

AngelsHorn® Official Brand Store -cropped-768x768-1

Bring music to life.

AngelsHorn Mission

If you happen to read this article, and if you happen to be looking for the evolution history and trend of record players, I believe this organized column can be helpful to you.


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.