Vinyl Care
How to Store Your Vinyl Records the Right Way
Your records are only as good as how you store them. Heat, humidity, and improper stacking are the fastest ways to warp a collection you’ve spent years building.
Always Store Vertically
Stacking records horizontally puts uneven pressure on the grooves. Store them upright, like books on a shelf. Use a proper record crate or shelf with enough support to keep them from leaning.
Leaning causes warping over time. Even a slight warp affects playback.
Keep Them in Their Sleeves
The paper inner sleeve is your record's first line of defense. Replace worn sleeves with poly-lined versions to reduce static and dust buildup.
Never store a record outside its sleeve, even temporarily.
Control Temperature and Humidity
Ideal conditions are 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 45 to 50 percent relative humidity. Avoid basements, attics, garages, and anywhere near heating vents.
Fluctuating temperature is more damaging than consistent warmth.
Keep Them Away From Sunlight
UV light degrades the vinyl and fades the artwork. Store away from windows. If you display records on a wall, rotate them regularly.
Clean Before You Store
A dirty record stored away is a scratched record later. Use a carbon fiber brush before each play, and consider a wet clean for anything you've acquired used.
We stock cleaning kits and replacement inner sleeves in-store.
The LP Team
Written by the staff at Licorice Pizza Records. We have been living with vinyl long enough to have made every mistake worth avoiding.