The clarity and completeness of the sound frequencies reproduced by the records primarily depend on the proper care of them and their proper use. Proper storage of vinyl records is one of the important stages of their operation, so they will retain their original appearance and functional characteristics for a long time.
A garage is not the best place to store your collection of records. Often this is an unheated room with high humidity, which will negatively affect the state of records. In addition, records in the garage can be damaged mechanically and even the best portable record player will not be able to read vinyl tracks.
To preserve the unique properties of the record, it is necessary to store at room temperature, if possible, without increased humidity, since it can provoke the spread of moldy and fungal formations on the disk. For proper storage of vinyl records, relative humidity of 45-50 percent is best suited. In addition, it is necessary to create barriers against direct UV rays, as well as heating systems, including heating. The average temperature of the storage room should be 18-21 degrees, but with longer storage, they can be reduced to 7-10 degrees. But no more, too low temperature affects vinyl badly.
The most fundamental and simplest condition for maintaining the original characteristics of a vinyl record. Warehousing and storage of vinyl should be exclusively upright. If you stack the plates on top of each other, deformation will inevitably occur over time. So, the vinyl collection should be stored in an upright position: the plates should be “edge” next to each other. An ideal way to place your records this way is to buy a special vinyl holder.
To store vinyl records, use special envelopes that are covered with special protective polyethylene. Such envelopes can be with or without flaps. Both options are suitable for placing the plates at home, and it is advised to use envelopes closed with flaps during transportation, so the plates will hold more securely. It is better to choose the inner cover with an antistatic effect – such an envelope perfectly protects the vinyl from dust, scratches and the “electrification effect”. Good outer covers are made of plastic and polypropylene.
In addition, the storage of vinyl records inside the envelope should also be accompanied by a plastic bag that has an antistatic insert. Please note that it is not recommended to use PVC bags since their components have similar components to phonograph records, which will cause scratches on the surface.
For the longest period of use of vinyl records, carefully follow all the rules for their storage, as well as care for them. Only in this case they will allow you to enjoy their unique sound for an unlimited time.