Vinyl records have been considered precious valuables for decades. More recently, types of vinyl have been making a strong revival among the music industry, rocketing in sales and people’s hearts once again. With that, many are wondering how long vinyl will last and how best to preserve them.
Vinyl records can last several decades, depending on how well you preserve them. The key is safely storing them to avoid any damage or environmental factors and be careful in how they are treated with repeated use. Often, these are the factors that play a role in how long a record will last.
This article will discuss the factors that can affect how long records last and offer many tips to preserve them for as long as possible. Keep reading to learn more!
Storing Vinyl Records Improperly Can Affect the Life of a Record
Most people don’t realize that you can damage your vinyl record collection just by storing it. It is one of the most common ways to damage your collection. Storing your records improperly could be the difference between them lasting five years or twenty years.
What can be even more so damaging is not placing your record in any type of storage at all (meaning not even in the sleeve). This would result in zero protection for your valuable record collection. Let’s take a look at some reasons why improper storage of vinyl records can be a problem.
They Could Get Covered in Dust or Debris
You might play your records as often as you would like. Experts suggest you shouldn’t repeatedly play a record for the sake of letting it last. However, if you aren’t using the record, it is more likely to acquire dust and debris over time.
This is more so apparent if the records are not placed in their respective sleeve. By simply storing your record in its respective sleeve, you are significantly preventing any dust or debris from making it onto your record.
Still, it might be inevitable that dust will still make its way onto that. So, experts have provided tips and resources to help prevent the inevitable.
The most important suggestion is to get a record-cleaning brush or a vinyl-cleaning solution. You can use these materials to clear away any of the dust or debris that your record may have on it.
Note: Do not use a t-shirt or cloth! Simply by doing so, you are risking scuffs or scratches on your vinyl, which will significantly reduce its quality and lifeline.
Placing Records on Top of Each Other Will Make Them Warp
That’s right. The more weight that is stacked on top of your records, the more likely they are to warp. We’re pretty sure you wouldn’t want that to happen! Luckily, there are plenty of other ways to keep your records in tip-top shape so they won’t warp.
You might consider one of the following solutions (links to Amazon).
- Display Stand. This concept is for the minimalist. You can easily store your records on this stand with its 50+ allotted slots. It’s easy, sleek, and saves plenty of space.
- Shelf Storage. A shelf will give you plenty of space to hold your records if you have a smaller collection. You could use several of these to really add some robust storage for a larger collection.
No matter which option you choose, the best way to store your records is straight up so that there will be no warping of any kind.
If you do have issues with your records warping, read this guide on how to fix it.
Don’t Place Them in an Area Where They Will Constantly Be Touched
The last thing you’ll want is for someone to be putting their fingers all over your record. The problem with this is that our hands have oils, and those oils will transfer to your records. Well, along with fingerprints, of course.
You might be surprised to learn that the more your hands touch the records, the more oils and grime will build up. Eventually, it will get to the point that the oils and grime will affect the stylus, so you won’t be able to play your favorite record.
The best tip is to avoid touching the record surface. This will reduce the ability of oils to transfer to your record. If you are looking to clean them, you will want only to touch the outside where the oils won’t affect the vinyl.
Repeatedly Playing the Same Records Can Affect Longevity
Vinyl records have always been more fragile. So, taking care of them can make a huge difference in the longevity of their usage. It all depends on the effort you are willing to put in.
Unfortunately, another very common way to shorten the lifespan of your records is by overplaying them. Which we know can be frustrating when you want to listen to your favorite album.
Below we will look at some problems that can occur and tips to help you through them.
Start the Record From the Beginning
Do you know how you always have that one song on your album that you just love? It’s expected that you will just want to listen to it over and over again. But, we’re here to tell you that you might not want to do that.
Some risks come with playing the same song over and over. First, when you try to play certain songs, you are risking putting the stylus in the wrong spot on the turntable.
Doing that would definitely cause some damage! Second, repeatedly playing a song will cause the record to build in heat and friction. This will also cause damage to the record. But, it will also result in degradation over time. Records are prone to degrading in some aspects.
The best tip we can give you on this one is to avoid playing a specific song or track repeatedly or quickly. We know it’s hard. But, you’ll be happy you listened when you still have your favorite record a hundred years from now!
Check on the Stylus and Turntable
The turntable and stylus have as much of an impact on the lifespan of your record as everything else we have discussed. In fact, it can be more-so important to check on these often and to acquire quality materials so that your record can last as long as possible.
So how do these affect the record? Well, for starters, the condition of a stylus is very important. Experts revealed that the stylus has to be just the right weight. If the weight of the stylus is too much, it can cause damage quickly.
However, if the stylus’s weight is not enough, it can lead to the record skipping as the needle jumps grooves and causing further damage, like scratches or scuffs.
The turntable can also impact the quality of the record. There are some nice expensive turntables on the market but be careful choosing price over quality. And remember that it is best to keep the turntable on a level surface so that the record will also stay stable. If it is not stable, it can be damaged in the process.
Conclusion
The key to a record lasting for longer periods is simply by taking good care of them. Realistically, they should be handled with care if you want them to last. Take good care of them and you may be able to sell them in the future if needed.
Two of the most common factors that can be a problem with keeping them pristine depend on how the vinyl records are stored and how often specific records are played.
However, they can last for many years if they are cared for. My collection spans 7 decades and is still growing.