@RetroGamingNook
While I completely agree with this list, and always stand my records vertically, me and my brothers had a stack of 30+ rock albums from the 80s in my parents garage without climate control for 25 years before I got back into vinyl. We didn’t know they moved them out there where they sat in that garage stacked horizontally throughout Maine’s humid summers and icy cold winters. Temps ranged from +100F to -10F throughout the years. Not one of them warped and they still sound amazing. I’m taking care of them now and I’m extremely happy they lived through the neglect. Phew!
@Jan-m5c2r
A GOOD TIP when shelving your albums in polypropylene outer sleeves: I use 40 x 40 x 40 centimeter cubes for my albums and I have noticed that polypropylene outer sleeves - due to their softness and flexibility - creates sort of air cushions if you shelve the album in a suitable number within a space (e.g. the aforementioned cube). When sticking in (loading) the space gently move the growing number of albums to one side of the shelving space and straighten up the albums as you go along - holding them gently in place with the palm of your hand. Thus you will end up with a loaded space of albums which due to the air cushion effect so to speak are holding themselves upright vertically 🙂Due to the fact that the space could contain perhaps five more albums (but then the air cushion effect would disappear) naturally you could make the row of albums in the space tilt to one side by pushing them with a finger - but that's irrelevant - untouched they will remain in place. When taking out one of the albums for playing it, insert a junk album to keep the row of albums from collapsing. Try it out and wave goodbye to ring wear 🙂
@NeverBetter464
Australia here goes from hot, humid 30+ summers to mild, chilly 10 degree winters. The cost of electricity is obscene. So records have to fend for themselves.
@talkingfiction8748
So happy to see other people recommending Vinyl Storage Solutions! Their sleeves are my go-to and well worth the investment.
@chrislj2890
This past summer I bought a storage unit from Walmart here in the U.S. that is identical to the Ikea Kalax. I went to my local Lowes and had a 4'x8' sheet of smooth hardboard cut to fit the back of the unit. I pre-drilled and used pan head machine screws to attach it. Although it didn't add an inordinate amount of weight the increase in rigidity and strength was substantial, plus it works as a back stop and helps to keep out dust and cobwebs.
@AliceHartlovey
I have a small collection. Not more than 10 albums as of now. I have been storing them the flat pancake way until right now. I don't have enough to keep them upright for now but i have a heavy thing to keep them from falling over. Thanks for the advice! Clearly i needed it
@kyles7087
This is one of the best videos I’ve seen on record care. I’m quite meticulous about this as for me, vinyl is what I collect for my favourite music (analog if it was recorded that way), and I’m on a tight budget. Unfortunately this doesn’t dissuade me from wanting the best, I’m a huge fan of AS/AP, Rhino HFs etc and I want to make sure I do everything possible to protect them, because I can’t afford to replace them. I live in Brisbane Australia and the heat and humidity is always on my mind, and I love those desiccant cards! If you’re able to afford VSS, they are by far the best sleeves in the world, and can’t be manufactured anywhere in Australia, and likely anywhere else without special equipment. Those cards are fairly cheap, and a great peace of mind (even for a bigger collection) if humidity is an issue. I was particularly interested to hear about the Kallex issues, and will be keeping an eye on mine very closely, thanks! It’s great to be able to share videos like this with beginners as well, and this added some info I hadn’t heard before so time well spent 🙌
@Spock105
Nothing here that I did not know yet . My advise for record collection : 1. get one of the Kalax units at Ikea 2. get also the devider inserts And if you have a cat like I have who wants to scratch the side of sleeves : push the inserts a bit backwards and place 1 record in front showing its artwork. Works for me & my 800+ records , collecting since 1973.:person-turqouise-waving:
@roberts.4261
My experience with horizontal storage is the opposite. In my adolescence I accumulated more than 700 LPs, many of them have been warped. Then for about 10-15 years I didn't listen to records at all because I was in the CD story. Years ago I went back to LPs. Because I had no space at that time all the records were stored in the basement and horizontally. And what happened ? The ones that were warped are now straight, the ones that were ok are now still ok. The height of the piles was about 70-80 cm (2.3 - 2.6 foot). Of course, I now have all my LPs vertically again. But I don't think it's such a big deal, even if they're horizontal. Records are a very durable things. For a good listening experience, the most important thing is that they are clean.
@mileswarrington5518
My favourite inner sleeves are polyethylene lined paper sleeves - the square ones. The rigidity of the paper makes removing the record and sliding it back into the jacket easier and you get the protection from the plastic. Best of both!
@steveowens398
Good list! I personally don't use the outer sleeve protectors - many of my outer sleeves show the wear of decades and I think they've earned the right to age gracefully - many of my LPs were purchased in the 1960's and still play fine. I build my own record storage cabinets accommodating roughly 200 LPs, canted at 45 degrees front to back so I can read the spines sitting or standing, and separated by doubled particle board so no more than 50 LPs are in one pocket of the cabinet. I've replaced many of the original sleeves but retain these in the outer jacket, as quite a few were used for advertising other records, and I don't want to discard any of the provenance associated with an original pressing. I think the biggest things to consider for keeping your collection in good condition are not allowing anyone who is unfamiliar with record care to handle them (that is, until you've trained them), and to always handle and clean them as if you are handling archival quality materials, because you are.
@I_Waste_Food
I’ve had records in extremes for 40 years and the only thing I do special aside from upright storage is sleeves- inner and outer and they’ve been more than fine.
@RasmusYde
I have a decently sized collection that consists mainly of newer special/limited editions. Good to know that my only "crime" was overpacking my shelves, which was something I was always aware of and have addressed since so it's a non-issue today. I also chose to invest in good inner and outer sleeves for my vinyls. It gives peace of mind knowing that I've done what I can to protect my collection 🙂 Great recommendations for any vinyl enthusiast 👍
@passqualecaiazza7728
I learned the hard way in 1982. I had an old large 2 bedroom apartment, that only had an A/C unit in the living room. It gets pretty hot here in the summer 105-110. I stored the records vertical in an closet against an outside wall. Lost all of my records of 100. Ever since never stored records in an outer closet, garage, or storage. I now 2000 plus records. I now use 4 desk. There is 3 large record crates on top of each and two under each desk on wheels. Plus in the hall ( middle of house) is a cabinet. I added a strong board nailed up to keep records up. This shelf holds equivalent to 3 large crates. All have dividers like in record stores, making it easy to find a record. All have inner sleeves and outer sleeves. All to where you can fan through records like a record store.
@BeAGoodDoga
Covering sleeves (both inner & outer) in clear book contact can also help to not only prevent or repair any damage, but can also work well preventing heat damage too.
@The-Scots-man
My records had been in the loft for 30 years, exposed to extreme heat and cold. I took them out at Christmas as my wife bought me a top notch turntable and every one I’ve played so far has played perfect and no warping whatsoever. The only problem I had was a couple of covers had stuck together but most were in plastic sleeves. All have original original sleeves but I did buy the ones you recommended, or very similar and I hated them. They seem to ruffle up and don’t slide into the cover properly. I’ll stick with what’s been fine for me so far.
@HauntedPallas
Fantastic advice! I agree with everything you said. This is the kind of video novice (and, like me, not so novice-old dog new tricks and all that) need to see. Cheers!
@somewhatsorted
Thank you for putting the time to put this video together! Seriously valuable!
@robertbosson5223
When I flew the nest into my first flat I stored my records in my parents' loft for years, where the temperature fluctuation was extreme, hot in summer, freezing in winter. They were covered with thick blankets and huddled together in rows on the floor, stored vertically of course. I was always worried about them and eventually had the space in my own home to bring them down from their ordeal. Thankfully, every record did not suffer any adverse effect. I believe being packed into a large whole and covered as they were protected them from the extreme temperature changes. Saying that I would never put them through that again!!!!
@soundmatters