How To Store Vinyl Records: 4 Golden Rules

Let’s get something straight: your record collection is in good hands. Why? Because you’re reading up on how to store vinyl records. We respect that, so we’ll cut to the chase: storing vinyl records is not rocket science, but it does take some care and attention.

To make it smoother for you, we’ve boiled it down to 4 golden rules: where to put your records, what shelving to use, how to keep them clean, and when it’s time for self storage.

1. Store records somewhere cool, dry and out of sunlight

Some record-collecting etiquette that won’t get you kicked out of vinyl subreddits:

• No sunbathing: Records don’t like the sun.
• Why? Sunlight and heaters can make them bend and make the pictures on the covers fade away. Well, maybe The Beatles’ “White Album” would be safe.

Also:

• No hot or wet places: Records don’t like being hot or sweaty.
• Best spot: A room that’s not too hot, not too cold, and not damp.
• Why? Heat can melt records, and too much water in the air can make them moldy or sticky.

Pro tip: Use little gadgets to see if the room is the right temperature and not too wet. This helps you make sure your records are happy and safe.

2. Use a box or sturdy shelves and place the records upright

You’ve picked the right spot for your record collection. Now what should you put them onto?

• Choose the right box: Go for sturdy, archival-quality boxes made for LPs (not just any cardboard box). Avoid plastic bins unless they’re specifically designed for vinyl, as they can trap moisture.
• Check box size and weight: Try not use an oversized box — records are heavy, and too many in one box can cause damage or make lifting unsafe.
• For larger collections, strong shelves only: Use shelves that won’t bend or break. The classic choice would be IKEA Kallax, the Elvis of vinyl record shelves, but you could also go for Better Homes & Gardens 8, the Pat Boone of vinyl record shelves.

• Why? Records are heavy, and weak shelves can fall down or make the records lean and get bent.

Now here’s how to store your records:

• Stand them up: Imagine how you put books on a shelf. Records like to stand up tall, not lie down flat. That’s the record-collector mantra: “Don’t stack, don’t slack!”
• Why? If you stack them flat, the ones at the bottom get squished and can bend or get “warped,” which means they won’t play music right.

Pro tip: Don’t cram too many records together. If they’re too tight, they can get bent or scratched when you try to pull one out.

3. Clean them regularly, handle carefully, and give them jackets

First thing’s first, treat your records with respect:

• Place your fingers around the edges: True music nerds only touch the edges and label, never the grooves.
• Wipe them off: Use a soft brush or cloth to clean records before storing them, even if you’ve just given them a listen.
• Give them jackets: Records wear special “jackets” called sleeves—one inside (inner sleeve) and one outside (outer sleeve).
• Why? Dust and dirt can make them sound scratchy or even hurt them. Careful handling is common sense but giving them jackets is ideal.

But also:

• Take off the plastic: If your record comes wrapped in tight plastic, take it off.
• Why? The plastic can trap water and make mold grow, which is yucky for records (and humans).

4. For extra-large collections, keep records in self storage

Let’s say you’ve got more vinyl records than you could keep at home, either as part of your business or as a passionate music lover. First of all, cool. Second of all, you can clear up space using one of America’s favorite services: self storage!

Here are some self storage perks:

• You can either store your records short-term or long-term.
• Most facilities provide insurance along with top-notch security (which is great if you’re the current owner of that million-dollar Wu-Tang album).
• Most facilities also offer climate controlled storage, so your vinyl records won’t be damaged by the summer heat.

As for how big the unit should be, you can measure your collection and use our storage unit size guide to get a picture (not to brag, but we even have a storage unit size calculator). A 5×10 storage unit is about the size of a large walk-in closet, just for the record (no pun intended).

In terms of prices, it all depends on the location and the season. The demand is usually higher in the summer and in big cities. So, for example, a storage unit in Portland, OR, hovers around $141. Meanwhile, you’d pay about $100 for a storage unit in Milwaukee, WI.

Records you can’t put in self storage

Vinyl records are like pancakes: If you squish them, stack them, or leave them in the sun, they get ruined and won’t sound good anymore. Luckily, as we’ve established, you can put vinyl records in self storage.

Now, if you were to make a record out of a pancake, that would be a problem: facilities do not allow perishables. In fact, here are some actual edible records that belong in the fridge, rather than self storage:

• Candy records
• Chocolate records
• Oreo records
• Chocolate-frosted-flakes records (Sorry, fans of the band PRETTYMUCH)
• Ice records (We’re looking at you, Shout Out Louds)
• Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice (just kidding — that record definitely belongs in self storage)

Recap

So, you now know how to how to properly store vinyl records. Let’s go through the 4 Golden Rules again:

• Maintain a cool, dry, dark environment and avoid direct sunlight and heat sources
• Use a proper box or sturdy, purpose-built shelving and store records vertically, never flat
• Handle records with care, clean them regularly and give them jackets
• Use climate-controlled self storage when your vinyl collection starts resembling a record store

Got it? Great. Now, let’s spin some classics!

Frequently asked questions

Q: What temperature and humidity are ideal for storing vinyl records?

A: 18–21°C and 35–50% relative humidity.

Q: Is it okay to leave records in their original shrink wrap?

A: No. Remove shrink wrap to prevent trapped moisture and mold.

Q: Can I store records in the garage, attic, or basement?

A: That’s generally not advisable. These areas are prone to temperature and humidity extremes that can ruin vinyl.

Q: How to store vinyl records long-term?

A: Clean before storing, use both inner & outer sleeves and store vertically. Avoid sunlight and control the temperature, as well as the humidity. If you’re storing records for the long term, consider renting a climate controlled self storage unit.

Q: How to store vinyl records without covers?

A: Put each record in a new, high-quality anti-static inner sleeve to protect against dust and scratches.

Q: What inner and outer sleeves are best for vinyl records?

A: For inner sleeves, use anti-static HDPE like Mobile Fidelity (MoFi) Original Master Sleeves or rice paper sleeves such as Diskeeper Ultimate Audiophile Sleeves. For outer sleeves, go with polypropylene options like MoFi Outer Sleeves and MoFi Outer Sleeves.