Best Ways to Store Your Records
Stored badly, records warp and sleeves wear. Done right, storage protects your collection and makes it a pleasure to browse.
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Always store vertically
Records should stand upright like books — never stacked flat, which causes warping over time. Don't pack them so tightly that you have to yank them out.
Furniture that fits a 12-inch sleeve
Cube shelving and purpose-made record units are popular because a 12-inch sleeve fits neatly. Flip-style browser crates make digging through a growing collection easy.
Protect the sleeves
Outer plastic sleeves keep covers clean, and good inner sleeves stop the record scuffing as you slide it in and out.
Frequently asked questions
How should records be stored?
Always vertically, like books, never stacked flat — stacking causes warping and ring wear. Keep them snug but not tightly crammed, away from heat, damp and direct sunlight.
Are inner and outer sleeves worth it?
Yes. Anti-static inner sleeves protect the playing surface far better than paper, and outer sleeves keep covers clean and intact — both are cheap insurance for records you want to keep.