Please, Please, PLease do not store your records like this

There are few things in hi-fi quite as satisfying as lowering the stylus onto a favourite record and hearing that first note emerge from the speakers. Whether it’s a treasured first pressing you’ve owned for decades or the latest addition to an ever-growing collection, records have a wonderful way of making us slow down and enjoy music differently.

The good news is that keeping your records in great condition isn’t particularly difficult. The bad news is that many of the clicks, pops and crackles people often blame on vinyl are actually caused by poor handling, dust and storage.

Fortunately, a few simple habits can go a very long way…

The Golden Rule: Never Touch the Playing Surface

This sounds obvious, but it’s surprising how often we see records being handled like dinner plates.

The grooves on a record contain an astonishing amount of information. Unfortunately, they are also very good at collecting oils from fingerprints, dust and anything else your hands may have picked up during the day.

Try to hold records by the outer edge and the label area whenever possible. Your future self will thank you when your favourite album still sounds wonderful years down the line.

Dust Is Not Your Friend

Even records that look clean can have plenty of dust hiding away in the grooves.

One of the easiest upgrades you can make to your vinyl routine is simply using a carbon fibre brush before each play. It only takes a few seconds and can significantly reduce surface noise. For this, I recommend the highly affordable Pro-Ject Brush-IT Premium Record Cleaning Brush.

The perfect record cleaning brush with grounding cable and conductive carbon fibres.

Think of it like cleaning your glasses. You can still see without doing it, but everything is better when you do.

A Clean Record Is a Happy Record

Every now and then, your records will benefit from a more thorough clean.

This is especially true for second-hand purchases. We’ve all found that bargain album in a record shop that looks immaculate, only to get it home and discover it’s carrying half the dust from the previous owner’s living room.

One of the best ways to help prevent dust and dirt build-up is to use good quality inner and outer sleeves. These will also help keep the record and sleeve in better condition over time. From my own experience with own records, I recommend the Tonar 5979/LP Record Outer Sleeves, and the Goldring Exstatic Record Sleeves.

A proper record cleaning solution and suitable cloth can work wonders, while dedicated record cleaning machines can transform older collections. I recommend either the Pro-Ject VC-E2 Record Cleaner, or, for those with high-end systems and larger collections, the Degritter Mk2 Ultrasonic Cleaner.

The first time you hear a favourite album after a deep clean can be a surprisingly rewarding experience.

Give Your Records a Good Home

Storage matters more than many people realise.

Records should always be stored vertically, not stacked on top of one another. Vinyl is remarkably durable, but leave a pile of records sitting horizontally for long enough and gravity will eventually start to take effect.

It’s also worth keeping records away from direct sunlight and excessive heat, as this can warp the vinyl and, in the worst cases, make it unplayable.

A record may be made for music, but it certainly doesn’t enjoy being slowly transformed into a fruit bowl.

There are however means to save warped records, with magical devices such as the Pro-Ject Flatten-It. This device gently and safely restores records to their original shape, ensuring they spin smoothly for the best possible playback experience.

Don’t Forget the Stylus

When discussing record care, it’s easy to focus entirely on the vinyl itself. However, the stylus deserves just as much attention.

A dirty stylus can affect performance, increase distortion and even transfer debris back into the grooves you’ve just cleaned.

A quick inspection and occasional clean with the Pro-Ject Clean-IT Carbon Fibre Stylus Brush can keep everything performing exactly as it should.

After all, if the stylus is the messenger carrying information from the record to your system, it’s worth making sure it’s in good health.

michell cusis s mc cart on a michell gyro se turntable

The Vinyl Ritual

One of the things many of us love about vinyl is that it encourages a little participation.

Streaming is wonderfully convenient, but records invite us to engage with music differently. We choose an album, remove it carefully from its sleeve, clean it, place it on the turntable and sit down to listen.

Record care simply becomes part of that ritual.

And unlike many aspects of hi-fi, it costs very little to get right.

Final Thoughts

The beauty of vinyl is that, when treated properly, it can last for generations.

Many records pressed fifty or even seventy years ago still sound fantastic today, not because they are indestructible, but because somebody took the time to look after them.

A few seconds spent brushing a record, storing it correctly and keeping your stylus clean can pay dividends for years to come.

More importantly, it allows you to focus on what really matters: enjoying the music.

And surely that’s what this hobby is all about.

If you enjoyed this blog and you’re considering upgrading your TV sound and would like to explore some different options, feel free to get in touch with one of our stores or pop in for a demonstration.

Thanks for reading

Tiago, Wayne & Nick - Audio T Southampton

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