Many people who collect LPs but aren't familiar with the details end up storing their records incorrectly. This can cause minor damage to a collection, but it can also result in total and irretrievable loss of the records. Humidity, record position, and a host of other factors need to be considered when choosing a place to store a collection.

In this post, we'll give you the tips you need to find the best way to store your LPs at home. It's not complicated, but every aspect of record management has its own subtleties.

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In which position should the discs be?

Store your records vertically, standing side by side. The straighter the records, the better, as they won't weigh down one another in the row. Don't stack your records, as this can cause the lower LPs to experience excessive pressure and warp ( learn more about how to avoid warping here ). It's also important to remember that they should always be stored with other LPs of similar size. In other words, store your 12" LPs separately from your 7" LPs and don't mix them up.

What should the environment where the collection is stored be like?

There should be good air circulation. Humid environments are terrible for vinyl records, as they can promote mold in the collection. Therefore, store your LPs in well-ventilated areas. If you can measure the humidity with a device, ideally the relative humidity in the room should be around 40%.

It's also important to protect your records from light. Any kind of constant light can be detrimental to vinyl. But if there's one thing that can be fatal to the quality of an LP, it's exposure to sunlight. Find a place well protected from sunlight to store your records.

Temperature is also an important factor, though it's often beyond our control. Ideally, records should be stored in a location with a temperature of approximately 25°C. Temperatures that are too high or too low can damage your collection.

What is the best type of furniture for storing LPs?

Due to the above explanation regarding air circulation, your collection should preferably be stored in an open piece of furniture. Completely closed cabinets, chests, and drawers can be a bad idea because they don't allow air circulation.

The best options are usually bookcases or shelves, as they're open and often have dividers. Dividers make another important point easier: it's better to keep all your records together, separating your collection into small groups of 10 to 20 LPs. By separating your collection into small batches, you won't have as many records pressing against each other.

You can improvise a good place for your records at home. There's no one right place, just these characteristics to consider. It's also worth remembering: always check the weight of the piece of furniture. A record weighs very little, but a collection can often bring down a shelf. When choosing a piece of furniture to store your LPs, keep this in mind.

How do I prevent my discs from getting dusty?

It's crucial to keep the place where you store your records clean. It's also essential, as we've explained here , to clean your records from time to time. Dust can gradually build up and diminish the sound quality of your LPs. Find a place in your home that's less exposed to everyday dirt.

Always store records with the plastic sleeve inside the case. The best option, for those willing to invest a little, is to also purchase external plastic sleeves for each record. This way, your collection will be completely protected.

General recommendations

A very common mistake people make is leaving objects on top of LPs. This isn't a good idea, especially with heavy items, because the weight ends up putting pressure on the record. Reserve a dedicated space for records and don't place anything on top of or resting on the collection.

It's also best to keep your records in a location that won't be subject to impact or vibration. Leaving records near a powerful speaker, for example, can be a bad idea. If you can choose the material of the furniture where your LPs will be stored, choose wood, which is more stable, rather than metal, which is more prone to variations with impact.

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Now that you know all these details, you can choose the best place in your home to store your records. This may seem like a bit of work, but you'll find it's worth taking good care of your collection to ensure it lasts a long time and maintains its high quality. If you have any other questions about how to care for your LPs, read the other posts in the “ON VINYL” section of our website .

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