Vinyl records have been around since the 1930s, and thanks to a resurgence in popularity, it doesn’t seem like this type of media will disappear any time soon. Unfortunately, not all vinyl record fanatics are familiar with the dos and don’ts of storing vinyl records.
Storing vinyl records in an apartment is as simple as investing in the right type of storage device or furniture. You will need to measure your available space and choose a shelf or storage rack that fits that space. You may also want to select an option that helps prevent dust and dirt build-up.
Poor storage practices can damage or ruin a person’s records, which is why learning proper care and organization is crucial. We’ll review some of the most common dangers to vinyl records and discuss how to store your records correctly. Finally, we’ll present some storage options that might fit into your apartment—No matter how large or small it is!
Can Vinyl Records Become Damaged Due to Poor Storage?
The short answer to this question is: Yes! One of the most harmful things a vinyl record could experience is long-term pressure (bad stacking), exposure to dirt and moisture (incorrect shelving), and poor cleaning habits (using the wrong cleaners on record surfaces).
These dangers typically stem from improper storage habits. If you live in an apartment, you might feel that you don’t have an adequate amount of space to store your vinyl records. However, chances are, you have plenty of room to keep your music collection safe and sound.
But before you begin browsing for the ideal storage option, it might be wise to familiarize yourself with the things that can damage and destroy vinyl records. After all, the perfect storage shelf or rack might help you stay organized, but without exceptional care, your vinyl records may still crack and deteriorate.
Common Dangers to Vinyl Records
Though vinyl records have been in usage for nearly a full century, their popularity has experienced quite a few spurts and drops over that time. Proper record care and storage was relatively common knowledge among young people in the late 1960s (source).
But most contemporary teens and young adults have minimal experience with anything outside of digital downloads and streaming music services. As such, the correct way to handle and store vinyl LPs, cassette tapes, and CDs is quickly becoming niche information available only to those willing to search for it.
Fortunately, you don’t need to search too far to discover the issues plaguing vinyl record enthusiasts and their collections. For better or for worse, these common dangers haven’t changed much since the mid-century. Some of the most prevalent include:
- Scratches
- Dust and Dirt
- Warps
- Cracks
- Body Oil
- Moisture
- Harsh Cleaning Habits
To keep your music collection in tip-top shape and avoid unwanted and undue issues, you’ll want to pay close attention to these risk factors.
Scratches
To play a vinyl record traditionally, you need to set the record onto a turntable or record player, secure it on the mount, and select a rotation speed. When your record is spinning at the right pace, you simply place a thin needle tip to the outside grooves.
As the record spins, the needle ‘reads’ the tiny bumps and valleys found within these grooves, translating the vibrations into electrical signals which exit your device as sound. One of the most devastating things that can happen to a vinyl record is excess scratching.
When a record gets scratched, bits of hard vinyl material can become lodged within the sharp grooves and ridges of the record. Other microscopic, music-producing peaks and valleys may become obliterated due to a scratch.
In short, vinyl records must have perfectly readable surfaces. Scratches are a surefire way to damage the sound quality of a vinyl record. Similarly, dust and dirt can become significant problems, especially for those with massive record collections.
Dust and Dirt
Just as scratches might ‘gunk up the works’ with a vinyl record, dust and dirt could fill grooves and cause playback problems. Careful vinyl record owners and enthusiasts that always do their best to prevent scratches can still suffer from dirty LPs if they’re not diligent.
Leaving a vinyl record out of its sleeve or could result in a dirtied record, and you’ll need to gently brush away that dust and dirt before returning it to its sleeve and cover. If you have a terrible habit of leaving bare records out—or worse, placing those records atop one another in a large heap—now is the time to take charge and change those habits.
Otherwise, you may end up with unplayable albums and warped vinyl. Warped records are, sadly, far more common than you may think!
Warps
Though most vinyl records are made of durable materials that don’t degrade quickly, that doesn’t mean that they’re incapable of warping or changing shape. If you tend to pile your records up in large horizontal stacks, the weight can begin to affect the albums near the bottom of the pile.
When a record is warped, it won’t be able to rotate during play smoothly. Not only can this problem result in unsatisfying playback, but it could also damage your record player’s needle and arm, as well as cause further damage to the record itself.
Additionally, excess weight on a vinyl record could cause it to crack! While it is possible to mend a broken record, the repaired version will always show auditory signs of the damage. Some lines or tracks may even repeat continuously—Hence the phrase, “You sound like a broken record!”
Cracks
When a vinyl record snaps or cracks, your heart can quickly follow suit. Fortunately, many types of breaks can be repaired with a little glue, patience, and ingenuity. But fixed records often produce small muted periods or fuzzy bumps when the needle crosses over the mended area.
It’s far better to avoid cracks entirely by treating your records with respect and care. Stacking them against or atop one another isn’t a great way to keep them in tip-top condition.
It’s also a good idea to limit your direct handling, as your natural body oils could contribute to expeditious degradation. Luckily, the solution to this issue is relatively straightforward.
Body Oil
Each person’s body naturally produces oils to help keep the skin soft, water-resistant, and healthy. While these oils do a ton of good, they can also become a nuisance. Excess oil can lead to acne, unpleasant body odor, and unsightly rashes. It can also ruin your vinyl records.
A single oily thumbprint is enough to alter the surface of your vinyl record forever. Wearing smart, protective gloves while handling your records is the best way to avoid an oily fate. Still, natural body fats aren’t the only thing to keep far from your record collection.
Humidity and moisture can also become a significant problem, especially if you’ve been storing your vinyl LPs in a basement or attic. Individuals living in naturally humid areas may also want to take extra steps to keep their vinyl records in excellent repair.
Moisture
While vinyl isn’t particularly prone to mold and mildew, the sleeves and covers that adorn most vinyl records are particularly susceptible to these dangers. Dead bits of mold and decayed pieces of paper are the last things you want stuck in your record’s grooves.
Temperature control is crucial to keeping your collection looking its best. Additionally, owners should be sure to adopt helpful cleaning habits while avoiding risky ones. If you’ve been applying alcohol to your records, you should cease doing so immediately.
Harsh Cleaning Habits
While rubbing alcohol, bleach, and abrasive chemicals might help you clean your kitchen or bathroom, they’re not the best materials to use while cleaning vinyl records. Many records have a thin wax coating to keep them protected from scratches.
Harsh cleaning products can ruin this protective layer, but so can intense scrubbing and wiping. Learning how to clean vinyl records properly is part of being a responsible owner, so be sure to brush up on your techniques before starting your cleaning tasks.
How Can I Store My Vinyl Records?
You could choose to store your vinyl records in several ways, and they each have specific advantages and potential disadvantages. Choosing among them can be tricky, but we’re here to help.
To avoid many of the dangers that can damage vinyl records, you could choose to store your collection via:
- Basic Shelving Units
- Storage Racks
- Protective Display Frames and Cases
- Hanging Wall Shelves
Collectors with prized vintage records or single-pressings may have the most to lose by opting out of these storage solutions. After all, modern records can be repurchased. But a rare single from half a century ago isn’t as easily replaced.
If you own priceless or one-of-a-kind LPs that have a significant monetary or sentimental value to you, you might want to consider investing in one of the more expensive, protective storage options.
Naturally, if you’re a little more laidback about your vinyl records, a basic shelving unit could do the trick. We’ll explore each of your potential options to help you select the one that makes the most sense for your budget, collection, and apartment space.
See 7 Best Ways To Store Vinyl Record Albums.
Basic Shelving Units
If you were ever assigned a cubby in kindergarten or elementary school, then you’re likely familiar with the concept of basic cube shelving units. Adopted by schoolmarms and homemakers alike, this type of shelving also happens to work wonders for vinyl record collections.
You could invest in space-saving cube furniture for smaller collections or more ostentatious units for expansive record compendium.
The Way Basics Storage Blox Cube (link to Amazon) is a prime example of a compact vinyl record shelving unit. These cubes are just over one foot deep and stand 15 inches tall and 15 inches wide.
These cubes are stackable, so you can potentially expand your cube setup as you continue to collect more records. Made of recycled materials and with a lifetime guarantee, it’s challenging to find a more capable, customizable, and easy-to-install record shelving unit. However, we enjoy the challenge.
For a slightly elevated aesthetic, you could choose the Victrola Entertainment Stand with Record Holder (link to Amazon). It exudes an undeniable mid-century modern vibe and can store more than a hundred records with ease. The top portion is designed to showcase your record player, which is a significant plus.
If you’ve been struggling to find the right place for your record player and your vinyl records, a smart stand could be an excellent alternative to more basic storage units. Of course, heavier furniture pieces aren’t nearly as easy to transport or relocate as portable storage racks.
Storage Racks
Simple storage racks with separated slots or subtle separation grooves could be a superior option for those hoping to work with portable storage solutions. The ZonsWorld Vinyl Record Holder (link to Amazon) is made of bamboo and weighs less than five pounds, making it a neat and lightweight vinyl record storage rack.
This bamboo rack can fit beside sofas, couches, lounges, or bedsides at just over one foot in length. It’s compact enough for apartment living and strong enough for dozens of records.
Protective Display Frames and Cases
Hoping to keep your albums in pristine condition while storing them? The Play & Display Record Frame (link to Amazon)set could be a space-saving, protective solution. After mounting these square acrylic frames, you can pull the outer cover downward to open them.
Once open, you can place your album inside and lift it back up to lock it within the case. You could also retrieve a previously stored album for quick listening. This option is slightly more expensive than other types of shelving, but it could also keep your belongings in better condition for more extended periods.
Hanging Wall Shelves
When floor space is limited, it’s often best to turn to your walls. With a high-quality stud finder at your side, you can safely and correctly install a wide variety of wall shelves and hanging furniture.
You might be amazed to discover just how much additional space you have in your home when you incorporate your walls. When it comes to displaying and storing prized LPs, wall options also tend to be some of the most convenient and aesthetically pleasing.
Take these transparent, adjustable wall mounts (link to Amazon). They’re capable of hugging vinyl records of many different sizes, keeping them firmly secured to nearly any wall. When you’re ready to listen to your favorite albums, you can simply slide the chosen record from its spot and lay it down.
You can choose between single mounts and multi-packs, and each option is wonderfully affordable. Of course, the Dingelex Acrylic Vinyl Record Mounts (link to Amazon) are also budget-friendly, easily installed, and available in relatively large amounts.
If the idea of squeezing your records into wall slots makes you feel uneasy, Dingelex’s options might help you relax and feel more at ease. These mounts function as stubby shelves, providing just enough space for a single record to gently relax against the shelf mount and the wall.
Choosing the Best Vinyl Record Storage Option for Your Apartment
Now that we’ve explored some of the most sound vinyl record storage solutions, it’s time for you to consider which might be the best fit for your apartment. You may need to do some measuring and some list-making to figure out which of the various furniture and storage options might be best for you.
Generally, you can choose the best vinyl record storage option for your home by:
- Creating an inventory of your collection.
- Seriously considering the future of your records.
- Choosing a storage area.
- Measuring your storage area.
- Browsing and comparing.
By moving through each of these five steps, you can ensure that you’re selecting a storage solution that’s large enough to encompass your collection, small enough to fit neatly in your apartment, and practical for consistent usage and easy cleaning.
As with most projects, owners may want to begin with a brief planning phase. If possible, create a quick inventory of your current record collection. A person with three hundred individual LPs is bound to have very different storage needs than someone with a dozen records.
After figuring out how many records you currently own, you’ll need to consider your future needs. Are you an avid collector that tends to add a dozen or more records to your collection throughout the year? Or are you more lackadaisical in your approach, barely caching more than a single album with each passing year?
It’s often wise to choose a storage solution that offers additional space for future purchases, so gauge your purchasing habits wisely. Finally, you’ll need to select a storage area within your apartment. If you’re living in a studio or one-bedroom apartment, you may want to opt for wall storage.
However, if you have a few feet of floor space to devote to a vinyl record player and a collection of albums, singles, and LPs of all sizes, a more traditional furniture-based option could work better. Always measure your storage space before selecting a storage solution, and be sure to browse your options and compare prices, features, and reviews.
Conclusion
Anyone can safely store vinyl records, even individuals living in small apartments. Avoiding the common dangers that vinyl records face is the first step toward enjoying a top-notch collection.
Choosing the right product to help you stay organized and keep your records in excellent shape isn’t nearly as challenging as it may first seem, especially when you’re familiar with the wide variety of potential storage solutions. Which one works best for you and your space?
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