Do you need a self storage unit as a Vinyl Collector?

Storing vinyl is tricky business and if you are thinking of building a collection, you should figure out the storage part early on. Self storage unit or not? Vinyl records may have survived decades but there's a reason why people don't buy so much of them anymore; they're high maintenance. 

If you are a music enthusiast you'd understand that music on vinyl cannot be compared with any sound system under the sun. Yes, there a newer and more compact speaker design coming out every other day, but the richness of sound that you experience on vinyl is incomparable. This is why people with vinyl record collection cherish them like crown jewels. They are delicate, rare and unrivalled in quality. They are jewels. 

Here are our top tips for storing your records and protecting from everything that could go wrong. 

Handle with care

There is a long list of things you need to avoid when handling vinyl. Any kind of moisture and oil is bad for the. Before touching a record make sure your hands are washed and dried. You should always hold record from their edges to not scratch or damage the grooves. Yep, that's the musical part and there is no point in having a record if that part is damaged. If you play records often, we recommend getting special gloves for it and putting them whenever handling records. 

Packing records

When storing records we recommend not laying them on a flat surface on top of each other because records are delicate and weight can damage them. Instead, you can prop them vertically like books on a shelf. We recommend putting them ina protected case or a shelf with glass slides. This will keep the dust, humidity and dirt away from your records. Keeping the sleeves of records is very important because they provide essential protection to the grooves. If the sleeves of the record are old or damaged we recommend getting new ones or DIY-ing them from a cardboard cutout or chart paper. 

Temperature control

Vinyl records are best kept in a cool and dry place. Heat and humidity should be avoided at all costs because it can warp the records. The ideal temperature for vinyl records is 65 to 75 degrees. If it gets too cold the records run the risk of becoming brittle and cracking. If you are storing your records at home we recommend not keeping them in the attic or the basement because in those areas they are more susceptible to temperature and humidity related damage. If you are storing your vinyl records in a storage unit, we recommend getting a unit with proper temperature control and insurance. 

For vinyl lovers living in Stoke on Trent, UK we recommend checking out Super Storage, It is one of the most storage providers in the area. The facility is located in the heart of the county, Hanley; which gives customers an added advantage of accessibility along with a wide range of units, packages and facilities to pick from.