1. Store records somewhere cool, dry and out of sunlight<\/h2>\n
Some record-collecting etiquette that won\u2019t get you kicked out of vinyl subreddits:<\/p>\n
- \n
- No sunbathing<\/strong>:\u202fRecords don\u2019t like the sun.<\/li>\n
- Why?<\/strong>\u202fSunlight and heaters can make them bend<\/strong> and make the pictures on the covers fade away<\/strong>. Well, maybe The Beatles\u2019 \u201cWhite Album\u201d would be safe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Also:<\/p>\n
- \n
- No hot or wet places<\/strong>: Records don\u2019t like being hot or sweaty.<\/li>\n
- Best spot<\/strong>: A room that\u2019s not too hot, not too cold, and not damp.<\/li>\n
- Why?<\/strong> Heat can melt<\/strong> records, and too much water in the air can make them moldy or sticky.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Pro tip: Use little gadgets to see if the room is the right temperature and not too wet.\u202fThis helps you make sure your records are happy and safe.<\/p>\n
2. Use a box or sturdy shelves and place the records upright<\/h2>\n
You\u2019ve picked the right spot for your record collection. Now what should you put them onto?<\/p>\n
- \n
- Choose the right box<\/strong>: Go for sturdy, archival-quality boxes made for LPs (not just any cardboard box). Avoid plastic bins unless they\u2019re specifically designed for vinyl, as they can trap moisture.<\/li>\n
- Check box size and weight<\/strong>: Try not use an oversized box \u2014 records are heavy, and too many in one box can cause damage or make lifting unsafe.<\/li>\n
- For larger collections, strong shelves only<\/strong>:\u202fUse shelves that won\u2019t bend or break. The classic choice would be IKEA Kallax<\/strong><\/a>, the Elvis of vinyl record shelves, but you could also go for Better Homes & Gardens 8<\/strong><\/a>, the Pat Boone of vinyl record shelves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"How-to-store-vinyl-records-on-IKEA-shelves.-Vinyl-record-storage\"](\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/07\/How-to-store-vinyl-records-on-IKEA-shelves.-Vinyl-record-storage.jpg\")
<\/p>\n- \n
- Why?<\/strong>\u202fRecords are heavy, and weak shelves can fall down or make the records lean and get bent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Now here\u2019s how to store your records:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Stand them up<\/strong>:\u202fImagine how you put books on a shelf. Records like to stand up tall, not lie down flat. That\u2019s the record-collector mantra: \u201cDon\u2019t stack, don\u2019t slack!\u201d<\/li>\n
- Why?<\/strong>\u202fIf you stack them flat, the ones at the bottom get squished and can bend or get \u201cwarped,\u201d which means they won\u2019t play music right.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Pro tip: Don\u2019t cram too many records together.\u202fIf they\u2019re too tight, they can get bent or scratched when you try to pull one out.<\/p>\n
3. Clean them regularly, handle carefully, and give them jackets<\/h2>\n
First thing\u2019s first, treat your records with respect:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Place your fingers around the edges<\/strong>: True music nerds only touch the edges and label, never the grooves.<\/li>\n
- Wipe them off<\/strong>:\u202fUse a soft brush<\/strong> or cloth<\/strong> to clean records before storing them, even if you\u2019ve just given them a listen.<\/li>\n
- Give them jackets<\/strong>: Records wear special \u201cjackets\u201d called sleeves\u2014one inside (inner sleeve) and one outside (outer sleeve).<\/li>\n
- Why?<\/strong>\u202fDust and dirt can make them sound scratchy or even hurt them. Careful handling is common sense but giving them jackets is ideal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
But also:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Take off the plastic<\/strong>:\u202fIf your record comes wrapped in tight plastic, take it off.<\/li>\n
- Why?<\/strong>\u202fThe plastic can trap water<\/strong> and make mold<\/strong> grow, which is yucky for records (and humans).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4. For extra-large collections, keep records in self storage<\/h2>\n
Let\u2019s say you\u2019ve 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\u2019s favorite services: self storage<\/a>!<\/p>\n
Here are some self storage perks:<\/p>\n
- \n
- You can either store your records short-term<\/strong> or long-term<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Most facilities provide insurance<\/strong> along with top-notch security<\/strong> (which is great if you\u2019re the current owner of that million-dollar Wu-Tang album<\/a>).<\/li>\n
- Most facilities also offer climate controlled storage<\/strong>, so your vinyl records won\u2019t be damaged by the summer heat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
As for how big the unit should be, you can measure your collection and use our storage unit size guide<\/a> to get a picture (not to brag, but we even have a storage unit size calculator). A 5×10 storage unit<\/a> is about the size of a large walk-in closet<\/strong>, just for the record (no pun intended).<\/p>\n
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,<\/a> hovers around $141. Meanwhile, you’d pay about $100 for a storage unit in Milwaukee, WI<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Records you can\u2019t put in self storage<\/h3>\n
Vinyl records are like pancakes: If you squish them, stack them, or leave them in the sun, they get ruined and won\u2019t sound good anymore. Luckily, as we\u2019ve established, you can put vinyl records in self storage.<\/p>\n
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:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Candy records<\/a><\/li>\n
- Chocolate records<\/a><\/li>\n
- Oreo records<\/a><\/li>\n
- Chocolate-frosted-flakes records<\/a> (Sorry, fans of the band PRETTYMUCH)<\/li>\n
- Ice records<\/a> (We’re looking at you, Shout Out Louds)<\/li>\n
- Ice Ice Baby<\/em> by Vanilla Ice (just kidding \u2014 that record definitely belongs in self storage)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Recap<\/h2>\n
So, you now know how to how to properly store vinyl records. Let\u2019s go through the 4 Golden Rules again:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Maintain a cool, dry, dark environment<\/strong> and a<\/strong>void direct sunlight and heat<\/strong> sources<\/li>\n
- Use a proper box<\/strong> or sturdy, purpose-built shelving <\/strong>and store records vertically, never flat<\/li>\n
- Handle records with care, clean them regularly<\/strong> and give them jackets<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Use climate-controlled self storage<\/strong> when your vinyl collection starts resembling a record store<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Got it? Great. Now, let\u2019s spin some classics!<\/p>\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
Q: What temperature and humidity are ideal for storing vinyl records?<\/strong><\/p>\n
A: 18\u201321\u00b0C<\/strong> and 35\u201350%<\/strong> relative humidity.<\/p>\n
Q: Is it okay to leave records in their original shrink wrap?<\/strong><\/p>\n
A: No. Remove shrink wrap to prevent trapped moisture and mold<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Q: Can I store records in the garage, attic, or basement?<\/strong><\/p>\n
A: That\u2019s generally not advisable<\/strong>. These areas are prone to temperature and humidity extremes that<\/strong> can ruin vinyl.<\/p>\n
Q: How to store vinyl records long-term?<\/strong><\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Q: How to store vinyl records without covers?<\/strong><\/p>\n
A: Put each record in a new, high-quality anti-static inner sleeve to protect against dust and scratches.<\/p>\n
Q: What inner and outer sleeves are best for vinyl records?<\/strong><\/p>\n
A: For inner sleeves, use anti-static HDPE like Mobile Fidelity (MoFi) Original Master Sleeves<\/a> or rice paper sleeves such as Diskeeper Ultimate Audiophile Sleeves<\/a>. For outer sleeves, go with polypropylene options like MoFi Outer Sleeves and MoFi Outer Sleeves<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Let\u2019s get something straight: your record collection is in good hands. Why? Because you\u2019re reading up on how to store vinyl records. We respect that, so we\u2019ll 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\u2019ve boiled it…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3586,"featured_media":141387,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25090],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-141385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-self-storage","gallery-content-unit"],"yoast_head":"\n
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- Chocolate records<\/a><\/li>\n
- Most facilities provide insurance<\/strong> along with top-notch security<\/strong> (which is great if you\u2019re the current owner of that million-dollar Wu-Tang album<\/a>).<\/li>\n
- Why?<\/strong>\u202fThe plastic can trap water<\/strong> and make mold<\/strong> grow, which is yucky for records (and humans).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Wipe them off<\/strong>:\u202fUse a soft brush<\/strong> or cloth<\/strong> to clean records before storing them, even if you\u2019ve just given them a listen.<\/li>\n
- Why?<\/strong>\u202fIf you stack them flat, the ones at the bottom get squished and can bend or get \u201cwarped,\u201d which means they won\u2019t play music right.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Stand them up<\/strong>:\u202fImagine how you put books on a shelf. Records like to stand up tall, not lie down flat. That\u2019s the record-collector mantra: \u201cDon\u2019t stack, don\u2019t slack!\u201d<\/li>\n
- Check box size and weight<\/strong>: Try not use an oversized box \u2014 records are heavy, and too many in one box can cause damage or make lifting unsafe.<\/li>\n
- Best spot<\/strong>: A room that\u2019s not too hot, not too cold, and not damp.<\/li>\n
- Why?<\/strong>\u202fSunlight and heaters can make them bend<\/strong> and make the pictures on the covers fade away<\/strong>. Well, maybe The Beatles\u2019 \u201cWhite Album\u201d would be safe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n