Stand vinyl records upright, on their edge, and give comics a sleeve stiff enough to support them, then box everything and keep it clean, dry and off the floor. Packed like that, a collection can come out of storage just as it went in. Our personal storage page explains how units work for household belongings.
Vinyl records
The Library of Congress advises storing records upright, on their edge, with support across the whole face of each disc. In a storage unit, that means:
- Pack records upright in strong, record-sized boxes, filled so every record stands straight rather than leaning.
- Keep them upright rather than in a flat pile.
- Keep 12-inch and 7-inch records in separate boxes, as the Library advises against storing discs of different sizes together.
- Records are heavy, so keep each box to a weight you can lift comfortably. If you have CDs, DVDs or games to pack as well, see how to store CDs, DVDs and video games.
Comics
The Library of Congress recommends supportive enclosures for comics, such as acid-free folders, envelopes and boxes, or polyester sleeves stiff enough to support the comic inside. Handle them with clean hands, and don’t use rubber bands or tape on them. Our guide to storage tips for collectors has more ideas.
Antiques and other collectibles
Wrap fragile pieces in bubble wrap, paper or towels, and use furniture covers or blankets to keep dust off larger items. Avoid sealing anything in plastic bags for a long stay, because they can trap moisture and lead to mould.
Setting up your unit
- Stand boxes on a pallet or a layer of sturdy boxes, off the floor, with a small gap at the walls so air can move.
- Put the heaviest boxes at the bottom.
- Label each box on more than one side, so you can find a title without unpacking everything.
Our units are standard self storage rather than climate-controlled, so careful packing is what keeps a collection in good shape. If you have something especially sensitive to temperature, call us and we’ll talk through the best way to store it.
Keeping it safe and covered
Our sites are watched around the clock by a professional CCTV monitoring company, every unit has its own alarm, and you can normally visit your collection from 6am to 10pm, seven days a week.
Your collection needs contents cover while it’s stored, through our contents protection or your own policy. For anything that can’t be bought new, such as an antique or an out-of-print record, the value you declare is its current market value. If your collection is rare or worth a lot, call us first on 0800 2545585 so we can make sure a unit is the right place for it and your cover is set correctly. A truly one-off keepsake that money couldn’t replace is best kept with you.
When you’re ready, get a price online or call us on 0800 2545585.
Related questions
- Can I store cash, jewellery or other valuables?
- Can I store paintings and artwork?
- How much contents cover do I need for storage?
- How should I store books in a storage unit?
Further reading