How to Store Your Vinyl Records the Right Way
Vinyl Care
Heat, humidity, and improper stacking are the fastest ways to warp a record collection. The right way to store your vinyl, from the LP team.
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 overnight.
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, swap them out every few months.
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.