How to Store Vinyl Records

The Vinyl Geeks covers all aspects of how to store your vinyl records, from protecting the vinyl, to the cover and finally how to shelve your collection. Special thank you to Bags Unlimited for providing some of the materials in the video. Click "Show More" to view product links
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[@willstarbailey]

It's always nervous when clicking onto these videos as a beginner vinyl record collector because you don't know if you have been mistreating your records for the entire time

[@bobbykneale4416]

I can relate to this a bit too much to be comfortable

[@johnlewis135]

Lol..I never thought of that..

[@beastoid2492]

I have nearly 200 records and just found out I’ve been storing them wrong xD

[@muchmorefromtheheart]

me too

[@violentaftervisions3849]

My fears: Bugs, killers, the darkness The Vinyl Geek's greatest fear: *LITTLE ROCKS*

[@jmannUSMC]

I put my records into the sleeve sideways too, but for a very different reason. My very first vinyl record ever, the record slipped right out! Thankfully it landed on my bed and not a pile of little rocks!

[@michaelmcclelland2896]

What was that record? Just curious.

[@Dazlidorne]

Where are all these rocks coming from?! Is that why it's called Rock & Roll?

[@halfmt2990]

After reading this comment, every time he says rocks it cracks me up.

[@austinhughes6852]

I got into collecting vinyl records.After watching the movie “Warm Bodies”.Where the guy had a turntable and a Guns’n Roses Use your illusion album.That’s what got me started collecting records.

[@cdelgado7296]

Did u get Use your Illusion first?

[@TECfan1]

This is why CDs' and digital music was invented.... haha just kidding. Very great tips, man! Nice.

[@domthecreative2396]

Lowkey. I have more cds than vinyl

[@krypto_9872]

@@domthecreative2396 CD sounds better on my headphones lowkey, but vinyl is better for the speakers ;)

[@ebzbreastsebzbreastsebzbre7408]

Your not wrong. But I love the experience. Album art the way it was intended, extras like lyric sheets and photos of the band recording the album, colored vinyl, analog format so if the world ends I can still listen to my records with a paper cone and needle lol. You get sooo much more buying the physical vinyl format.

[@ColocasiaCorm]

agreed. but unfortunately a lot of music on CD was compressed. Thus, to access higher dynamic range music, one can explore vinyl.

[@Lycosa]

@@domthecreative2396 Nuddin' wrong with CDs... Both are good.

[@Cambaudio]

Super helpful, wow. Your my new favorite channel and I mean that. The environment of your videos, your style, your easy to listen to, to the point... Perfect! Thank you for putting all this effort into your channel, it shows.

[@bmarc7184]

I must stop keeping my records next to piles of rubble. Them little rocks play havoc!

[@antonk5414]

Loved this video! I've been looking for a proper way to store my records, and researching about inner/outer sleeves, and wow, this video covered everything in-depth! Thank you so much :D

[@nodbor1]

Very good advice about products to use to save record collections. Remember to keep records up straight as possible and not to tight against one another. I've collected records for 45 years and have always kept my records inside the covers without any splitting of the covers. I mail them inside the covers without anyone ever complaining about splits in the covers.

[@WhoaNellyJake]

still surprised that you don't have more subscribers haha. Great videos man

[@VinylRewind]

thank you

[@tripleaaa4409]

WhoaNellyJake we got the jazz

[@TheJnbhjnbh]

Who

[@bw6991]

Thanks for such a thorough explanation of not only how, but why, and the correct products to use! Very nice video!!

[@andrus97]

You forgot to add that you also have to bury the boxes deep underground.

[@VinylRewind]

haha

[@iaincowell9747]

Mine are stored with Ark of the Covenant

[@safetyman4967]

@@iaincowell9747 I've stored mine in near the earths core for the extra warmth it adds to their sound

[@666boltz]

Gr8 video. I have recently ordered rice paper inner sleeves to protect vinyls that came in paper sleeves n thick outer sleeves to hold double LPs. I also double LPs within the gatefold now to avoid warps from the thick spine. Thanks I will now put the vinyls on the side to avoid dust getting in as you do. Helpful video!! Cheers from Australia

[@mikewest1542]

Excellent and the best guidance to record storage I’ve ever seen !

[@michiganrecordclub4484]

Love Bags Unlimited. They seem to have everything I need and great quality.

[@IanqueParker]

One of the most informative videos I've seen on KZbin. Been collecting for years and I've NEVER heard of someone storing their records like this. Kudos.

[@VinylRewind]

thank you

[@Agent-vj3ns]

Daris Parker not surprised. Most people who originally purchased and spun vinyl didn't give a shit about carefully handling their albums. I see old timers constantly grabbing lp's by the playing surface. Molesting them like a fuckin dj.

[@danilocedeno9765]

I am a totally newbie and have heard everyone talk about all these sleeves. The thing I always wondered is how you put everything together! Awesome video man thanks!

[@623professormartino]

Hey, I recently subscribed to your channel. I must share that I enjoy it very much. You actually are responsible for getting me and my 26 year old daughter back into collecting albums. Thank you kjj

[@dixielandfarm]

Eric, this video was a great primer and you covered everything wonderfully. One thing I always tell people is to replace the inners after you clean your record - that way you know you did it; if you see a record without the sleeve you always use, you know you still need to clean it.

[@VinylRewind]

great tip Kris

[@Jordan-ez2gn]

I don't know why I keep watching this video, I just love it so much

[@psychedelicpunkster6840]

Sweet! Nice to know that you store your lps in plastic inner n outter sleeves avoiding paper... I to feel that its the best way to store lps by putting record and inner sleeve behind the record cover and outter sleeve. Easy access without damaging cover or creating ring wear.

[@BagsUnlimitedRochester]

Sorry we're so late to the party on this one. Great video. Very informative! Glad you appreciate our stuff!

[@VinylRewind]

Thank you!

[@chrismc8753]

I've only been collecting vinyl for a little over a year, and I used to just have them in a boxso I could flip through them and easily use them, but now I put most of them in cubbies I got from Ikea, as well as the victrola record storage cases. The storage cases are only for specific records atm. I have one case for my favorites, and another case specifically for my Beatles records.

[@GralGrievous]

Those chairs are totally open legs. Nice.

[@gungadan3784]

I'm glad someone else saw that too

[@utub1473]

Wha?

[@jetsamperes5762]

This is great information. Just picked up Yesterday & Today 2nd state Butcher Cover and want to make sure it lasts another 50 years.

[@blakel2174]

When I get a new record I clean it, put it in a new rice paper inner sleeve, then put it back in the jacket, then put the jacket in a 2 mil. thick outer sleeve. Can you review Nektar - Remember The Future?

[@lordjs9726]

Thanks. This video was great help for me.

[@jscottgp2011]

This video just makes me want to buy these products and clean my whole collection, which isn’t very big so that’s probably why lol but I want the best for em! Great video, subscribed!

[@VinylRewind]

thank you, caring for my collection is half of the hobby IMO. It goes quick when you're listening to the music as you clean

[@whereta3097]

Nice vid! thinking of buying some storage boxes, they look very usable and efficient for moving around

[@matthewwilson2961]

Really excellent and informative vid. Thanks very much!

[@marklowther3228]

Many craft stores (I use Michaels) sell plastic boxes used to keep scrapbooks protected. Some of them fill albums perfectly. I keep all of my collections in these protective boxes.

[@beatlesexpert]

I store them the same way. Nice to know i'm not the only one.

[@mrcardosou]

Thank you! Great tips. I'm glad that I'm on the right path, but I'm looking for those plastic recommendations. :D

[@111whitepony111]

Thank you. Love your channel.

[@antoinettewitt2098]

Thank you for all the important information.

[@Myarcademusic]

Great video! You should make one on turntables too! Storage, needles, having solid/sturdy bases that avoid vibrations, etc.

[@VinylRewind]

thank you, great ideas

[@katecurtis-hawkins6476]

You mentioned cleaning the outer sleeves for the record, how do you recommend doing that?

[@nicholasgeorghiou616]

Great video! You definitely know what you're talking about and it's refreshing. Other channels such as Vinyl Eyezz, I have seen some wrong info. Anyway, I store my records as you do with the sleeves in a 2.5mm clear polypro outer sleeve and the LP itself in the MoFi inners. Then keep the LPs behind the sleeve jackets and not in them. I want to eliminate any risk of extra pressure or ring wear on the sleeves.

[@VinylRewind]

Thank you! Funny enough I learned how to store my records this way from a morning show that used to be on FX back when it first started broadcasting.

[@tjs2014]

2:23 those are the ones I use. I like them best. They keep your records safe and clean and it's easier to take them in and out than the ones that have no paper on the outside.

[@ReptileNexus]

I have started storing my records the same way you do. I have found it easier.

[@lerxsty]

I put all the records I really care about in MoFi sleeves, they are expensive but definitely worth it. Ever have a dual LP gatefold record and its impossible to close the gatefold with both records in the sleeves unless they are sticking out the end a bit? Get MoFi.

[@epicrespect3099]

Great video, love this channel!

[@VinylRewind]

thank you

[@willwilson7266]

As shown at the 8:02 mark, do you place the LPs in the back of the sleeve even if it's a double LP vinyl set?

[@tomeshuggah]

I do. Even for a 3LP release. Just find a bigger outer sleeve and it will do it.

[@basiljustinbote8342]

@@tomeshuggah how about for 4 LPs set and a gatefold outer sleeve? Is it advisable to store them outside?

[@andylindsey]

I really like the idea of storing the vinyl next to the cover inside an outer sleeve. I'm going to look into doing that. I don't want the cover getting wrecked by the record.

[@TheGudih]

Very good video, congratulations! I still have 2 questions, though: 1) Which outer sleeve would be better: Mylar (Polyester) 4mil or Polyethylene 6 mil? 2) I plan on doing a long-term storage for the LPs. I'd like to store them on those cabinets you mentioned, but I wouldn't like to use a storage box along with it. Is it still recommended, or should I go for the boxes?

[@trouble5085]

With my big old Peaches record crates I take 12" square blocks of styrofoam (varying thickness) as fillers and stick them in the loose open spaces between my albums so that they're all standing up straight and comfortable. As I add more albums to the crate I just adjust the size of the fillers.

[@TaylorArtandFun]

Nice video. Very helpful

[@davidevans3175]

When I was a kid we had a wire rack, you throw away the paper sleeve and slip the bare 45 into the wire rack. Beatles singles, Beach Boys, Little Eva, Yardbirds, Monkees, you name it.

[@stevehansen2968]

This is really good!

[@majorpuggington]

Rocks everywhere! Rocks n roll!

[@WishItWas1984]

I'm paranoid about dust but I want convenience, so I don't like flap outer sleeves. Thankfully a company called Really Useful Boxes makes a full sealed plastic box for records. You can get the small and medium 12" boxes at The Container Store. You undo the handle clasps on the sides, pop off the lid and flip away. When closed, the records go up into the lid, so basically when you take it off, it's got that milk crate browsing feel. Also a good place for my sleeves and supplies...oh, and there's room enough for dividers too.

[@VinylRewind]

now that's a great solution, thanks

[@Retroboxmedia]

Great video - I store my LP's the same way!

[@NYR2K8]

Great video thanks, got some rice paper sleeves as a result. Some bands do you a favour and give you really good quality inner sleeves, but yeah you get a lot of those cheap paper ones that I've never felt that comfortable with.

[@HolocronStudios]

Im very lucky with how I store my records. As my bedroom was my dads old office before he moved out... and while he was in there he built an embedded shelving system into the wall designed especially for records.

[@MaxwellCEdison]

All my records are stored in an inner sleeve, behind the cover.. but with the opening the same direction as the outer sleeve's opening (up). Now you've got me paranoid too :/

[@jaimequiroz3634]

Great channel.

[@lilsmooch]

I have an Ikea Kallax shelf that I store my records in and then I only use inner sleeves, not outer sleeves. If a record has just a standard blank paper inner sleeve I just toss that onto my pile of empty sleeves in case I get a bargain bin find with no inner sleeve, but if the record has a special printed inner sleeve like some new ones have thinner cardboard sleeves with graphics on both sides then I put the record into a high quality sleeve and then put that inside the designed inner sleeve. And I keep the opening at the top like in this video because I also don't want dust / dog hair / etc. to get in and I feel like if it's just open at the side then that makes it really easy for debris to get into the sleeve which makes this all feel like a waste.

[@Kalprog]

Another good tip is not to cram the records in each storage spot but to leave a nice gap. You should be able to get your whole hand in the space to allow for sorting and flipping. This prevents ring wear and also still provides enough support to prevent warpage from too much lean on the records. Good tips, thanks.

[@VinylRewind]

great tip

[@margalitmelnik]

I do almost the same but I buy paper inner sleeves and use them outside. So I put the jacket in the outer sleeve with all extra material inside , then an empty paper inner sleeve, after that the record sideways in a mofi inner sleeve and finally a second empty paper inner sleeve. By the way, I am with you man... my greatest fears regarding vinyl are dust and little rocks 😬

[@mysongs6745]

Great video!

[@thevinyltruffle]

I very much like storing mine the way u do. With all the innerstuff outside of the actual jacket, but kept inside the outer sleeve. When I do this with my favorite records, I can’t help but wonder if them sitting more directly on the hard shelf promotes warping or anything? Im sure u would take this down if you found that to be the case, but I had to ask. I love your videos. I would say that The Needle Drop, TMR, and Vinyl Rewind pushed me into MANY new musical interests as well into buying the rt81 and vinyl in general. Ya’ll helped me to find a real passion of mine and it’s changed my life. I haven’t had a physical collection since multiple Cd collection were stolen from me over the course of a few years 15 years ago. I never once bought a digital album. As a musician and a poet and writer, I appreciate beauty and tactile, tangible things. I knew digital music was just me throwing my money in the trash. 3 months ago, I didn’t own a record. My first vinyl purchase was a DOOM(thank u Anthony) xmas album thru Qrates, which I am yet to receive. I have about 100 vinyls (lol) now. About 30 I bought either sealed or “new” and the rest I was lucky enough to get thru asking my in laws. All classic rock, soul and some funk. Jackpot! Im still cleaning and cataloging the last 20 or so. I just really wanted to say thank you to you guys and the VC. Thank you for the time and love that you put into these videos.

[@davidskaar3232]

Learned a lot...!!

[@weirdman5215]

Awesome "Eraserhead" record

[@joselacera8716]

I love your videos thank you

[@BD_MEDIA.]

Thank you for the fyi! I saw you have the Stripper too, so I subscribed! Just kidding! I found this video very valuable!

[@jan3019]

i always put a hard cardboard before the the first record that leans on the side. so at least it's leaning straight on a flat angled surface . cos if you don't, your first record will take all the pressure and weight from the rest of the records that are leaning on it.

[@VinylRewind]

I should do the same as well

[@areamusicale]

I keep my favourite ones in plastic sleeves on a cabby (like you showed at 8:34) and my less favourite in a record case piling on top of the other, which, thanks for the tip, I should find a more suitable space for them. I keep some of my 7" with the record outside the cover but together in a plastic sleeve as you did for LPs, and I have to say, you really inspired me with this video, I will follow your suggestions :)

[@VinylRewind]

that's great to hear

[@mwewan5560]

That's a really cool Eraserhead LP! I love that movie, and everything that David Lynch does. Also, do you know where I could get an outer sleeve for a box set?

[@anastaciolopez6259]

I store my Vinyl Records in Odyssey CLP 200. It is an air tight storage box. Most dj uses it.

[@questhero101]

I'm really standard when it comes to storage. Polypropylene sleeves, paper and record inside the sleeve, stored in boxes, shelves, and on my wall, and I only really clean the sleeves when I buy them in old shape at a flea market and there's dust EVERYWHERE, especially in gatefolds.

[@VinylRewind]

yeah, I find most of mine at thrift stores and fleas, so the covers are always dirty

[@mollygodlewski]

AWESOME video. Very informative and useful. Love the aesthetic. I’ve already learned a lot of this, but very useful to hear about inner and outer sleeves in-depth. Thanks!

[@kidcal]

Do you put the plastic cover opening same with the opening of the record sleeve? or is it better to put the opening of the plastic on the top of the record ? which would mean you have to take the record cover out of the protector first in order to take the vinyl out.

[@benalenco]

Great video! Just a question, how do you store double or triple LPs? Do you put two records together behind the jacket?

[@VinylRewind]

yeah, I do. it's not ideal but it works for me

[@7JANEWAY]

I use the small boxes you can buy from Walmart. They only cost a few dollars, ad they're the perfect size to store up to about 75 records. The medium and large boxes are too tall for easy vinyl storage; but the small box is (as Goldilocks would say) just right.

[@jackschwartzberg8607]

Love the Weird al record

[@philrowley5112]

Preaching to the converted. Pretty much already doing the same

[@Jbones72]

The rice paper is the way to go, best way to protect your vinyl investments!

[@HeyDirty]

Glad to see the sideways loading/unloading of the record is "normal" (because I'm convinced slipping the record directly out of the polyethylene-lined paper sleeves from inside the record cover is a bad idea.) But that information is not as abundantly clear when googling...

[@klandersen42]

Cool signed copy of "Even Worse".

[@hulkslayer626]

My new records go in a metal locking storage box made for 12" vinyls. My used records go in plastic crates I got at Target for $4 and those crates fit into a $30 steel work cart i got from Harbor Freight.

[@joras7457]

You could use white thumbtacks into corner moldings edge

[@SlightlyDank]

thanks a lot!

[@alexersent]

Thanks You Brandon Flowers

[@gabrielecafulli750]

is it fine to store double LPs (each one packed in its inner poly sleeve) this way? I mean, the paper cover and then behind two vinyls outside. I have severals double gatefold LPs and I want to avoid any damage. Thank you

[@rrrproductionsrd]

If you’re storing the records outside of the cover, does the vinyl have a chance of being warped? Won’t the covers get squished if nothing is inside? I do it both ways, I don’t know what’s better. Big fan, keep up the good work!

[@g.mcgillivray6363]

I'm subscribing because you look just like my dad back in the 50's. Seriously. It's uncanny. If I showed this to my mom I know she'd think it was him. I have to go through all his vinyl, thousands of 78's, 45's and everything else which i know goes back to the late 1800's (from his dad too) - so I think I'll get a lot of helpful info from your channel. Just seeing this video - and then knowing all his old shellac records are sitting piled horizontally in a cement crawlspace under the house - ouch.... Better act fast!

[@VinylRewind]

Ha, that's really cool! Be careful cleaning the shellac, don't use alcohol or something like windex, it will eat through them.

[@mattemery4081]

This was so helpful thank you!!!

[@VinylRewind]

you're welcome

[@Valleyplant]

I put the opening of the plastic on the top. Because it makes it easier to put back in the shelf

[@claudetheruler]

Which exact products did you use in your video on the record you were demonstrating?

[@pyramidgod4537]

Amazing production values, great writing, fantastic info and enthusiasm! Why in the living fuck does this wonderful channel not have 500k subs at least? Jeepers! I just don't get it.

[@pyramidgod4537]

Man, even the choice of booze is spot on.

[@VinylRewind]

I appreciate the praise, wish I knew myself

[@mikedestazador5116]

great work

[@VinylRewind]

thank you

[@brianshickey]

Great video. Fantastic presentation, and you covered almost everything. What I've been having a hard time finding, are videos that explain how to store your vinyl in shelving units like Ikea's Kallax units. What I mean is that most reviewers don't go over how many records are ideal, whether it's okay to have some records that don't sit entirely vertical, and most importantly, how to begin the process of adding records to the units themselves. For example, I've been having a hard time getting the records to stay vertical without a bunch of them leaning to one side, especially when you're being mindful as to not cramming a bunch of records into a cubicle which in turn causes pressure, ring wear, and warping. However, when you don't fill a cubicle with records, they end up leaning to a particular side, especially with the current pressings that feature gatefold sleeves (which aren't symmetrical and even like single LP,s in non gatefold sleeves. A video going over this would be greatly appreciated as they simply don't exist. Other than that, please keep up the fantastic work as you are a huge asset to the vinyl community.

[@bryanpimentelmonroy8021]

Just a bit curious, is it a good idea to store records inside "top loaders" clear plastic sleeves?

[@zoxwolf2133]

Nice video, i recently started collecting vinyl and took all precautions with new master sleeves and what not. I have a question related to my single 45 rpm records though. I have place in my AV rack for these but height of slot is just enough to stuff them inside with cover and plastic protective sleeve and to be loose enough they are at some 10 deg or lil bit lesser angle upright, if you know what i mean :) Saying they are light small singles, do you think there is no risk for them to warp stored at that angle like this? Thanx for your reply mate. Cheers

[@VinylRewind]

I think a little lean is okay since they are so much lighter compared to LPs. Just be sure to split stack in the middle

[@faiitheless8594]

I live in an apartment that can get pretty hot in the summer (unfortunately don't have an AC) and pretty cold in the winter. How would I store my vinyls properly? (I live in a bachelor pad)

[@ozzy6771]

So how would I go about cleaning the covers?

[@LiftFan]

I just put the sleeve in the bin and the jacket in the bin, just leave the records out on the carpets, sofa and just stick them through the dishwasher once a year to get rid of the dust! And of course, use a Crosley cruiser for playing them... I actually prefer to keep mine in the plastic lined paper inner sleeve, and keep the records in their jackets. I find it kind of dampens the experience if I'm keeping the record outside the jacket. I also store them on an old record rack made from chrome plated steel, this way they are more portable and obviously keep them out of the sun.

[@tomcooke6670]

What do you do for cleaning new records. Wet cleaning or dry cleaning???

[@andrewkerr2170]

What if the lp has two records instead of one? Then where do you put the two newly sleeved records.