Few formats of music have the depth and quality that vinyl albums do. If you’ve recently begun collecting them, make sure you are looking after them properly so they can be enjoyed for years to come. The following guide offers advice for preserving their sound.

Why Maintenance Matters

After investing your hard-earned money into vinyl albums, you don’t want to spend any more on professional repairs. After all, the material they are made of is fragile, suffering scratches and unfixable breaks easily. Additionally, if they’re not stored and cleaned correctly, they can collect grime and dirt on the surface, reducing the sound quality and shortening their life span. If it is a particularly rare album, you might also run the risk of harming something that can never be replaced or severely decreasing its value.

How to Look After Them

First, you need to limit the records exposure to dust, oils, and other damaging conditions. Vinyl records should be handled as little as possible—only touching the outer edges or the paper around the center ring.

For storage, don’t stack your records on top of each other, or they’ll bend, warp, and become scratched. Instead, store them upright, and keep them away from heat or humidity to prevent warping. An airtight storage container will work if you can’t find a vinyl storage option. Always keep the records inside the inner protective sleeve to prevent dust buildup, and keep the sleeve in the cover. Clean them regularly to prevent dust buildup in the grooves. Begin by dry dusting them with microfiber cloths, then polish them with cleaning solutions designed specifically for vinyl.

At 5J Music in Elko, NV, you’ll find a wide selection of high-quality vinyl albums and all the supplies you need to care for them. Since 1995, they’ve taken pride in offering a unique selection of music supplies, sports memorabilia, and other items, including vapes, glass tobacco pipes, and body jewelry. Browse some of their inventory online or call (775) 778-0484 with questions.