How to preserve your vinyl disc collection

Though it is very rare to find a vinyl disc record in your favorite music store nowadays, a lot of people still collect them. Audiophiles especially take pride in their collection of vinyl discs, or vinyl LPs, as they are more commonly called, from the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. Vinyl discs have a very distinctive sound that makes some people nostalgic.

But unfortunately, just like any material, vinyl discs are susceptible to deterioration. If a collector does not regularly take care of his vinyl LPs, they most probably will get worse and worse as time goes. And this is a pity, because vinyl discs are prized for their sound.

Cleaning is the first most important thing for a collector to do. Just like any type of collection, whether it is books, or toys, or shoes, vinyl discs would last longer if they are regularly cleaned.

Grease, oils, soot, and other foreign matter can be very bad for vinyl discs, but dust is the number one reason why your favorite vinyl LPs should be cleaned. Dust can distort the quality of sound on vinyl discs. Distortion can make them unplayable.

Therefore, it is preferable to clean a vinyl disc before and after it is played. You can clean it with a lint-free cloth moist with distilled water or with a special disc-cleaning brush. If you are using a cloth, wipe the disc clean in a circular motion, in the direction of the vinyl disc grooves. If you are using a brush, also brush the disc softly in a circular motion. It is not preferable to use alcohol or tap water to clean vinyl LPs, because alcohol might affect the stabilizer and tap water has mineral deposits.

Take extra care in handling vinyl discs. Always hold them by their edge and label areas, carefully balancing the vinyl disc in your fingers. It is also wrong to expose vinyl LPs to air or light for a long time because dust and other foreign deposits might settle. So as much as possible keep your vinyl discs inside the jacket immediately after you play them.

Vinyl discs should be kept in climate-controlled environments to prevent distortion. Do not hang them, and do not remove their shrink wraps. It is also much preferable to store them in metal cabinets or metal shelves, since wood shelves contract. Small insects can also get inside vinyl LP jackets, so make sure that the place where you are storing them is regularly cleaned. Store similar-sized vinyl discs together, so it is easier to find them.

It is also important to regularly inspect and clean the stylus tip in the turntable. Use the appropriate brushes and solutions that are sold on record stores to clean the stylus tip. You should never play vinyl LPs on a worn or dirty stylus since this might affect the disc.

But if vinyl disc deterioration cannot be helped, make sure you have copies of your favorite vinyl records. Most audiophiles record vinyl discs to preserve the music on rare records.

With these suggestions you do not have to worry about your precious collection. You can make sure your vinyl disc collection will last for a long time.