Your collection is surely a matter of pleasure and satisfaction, whether it be records, figurines, comics, trade, old toys, or something else entirely. Most people try to keep their collectibles in excellent condition whenever feasible because memorabilia collections are the result of years of looking, haggling, and patience. Today, whether at home or in a self-storage facility, we’ll discuss how to preserve some of the most well-liked collectibles to keep them in pristine condition.
Storing Vinyl Records
Because many musicians only release limited quantities of their work on vinyl, vinyl records have experienced a huge comeback in recent years and are now highly sought after. Many people will also have a sizable collection of vintage records that they want to keep safe for future generations. Vinyl is a delicate substance that is readily harmed by temperature and humidity, therefore how vinyl records are handled can have a big impact on how long they last.
Vinyl records ought to be kept in a dry place that isn’t too hot or too cold. It could be enticing to keep them in your loft or attic, but because heat rises from your house, the attic can frequently reach high temperatures. The vinyl may warp if it is kept in a heated climate continuously. As long as you keep an eye on the air’s moisture content, storing vinyl in your cellar may be an excellent idea. Consider putting your record collection in a self-storage facility if your home isn’t big enough to accommodate a room or cellar for it.
UV rays and direct sunshine should also be avoided because they can eventually deteriorate your vinyl records over time. If your records are kept in paper sleeves or cardboard covers, it makes sense to spend money on plastic outer sleeves to maximise protection and keep out dust. Avoid piling too many records on top of one another when thinking about long-term vinyl storage since the pressure may cause the discs to distort. Use dividers to keep your records upright as you stack them in whichever container you’re using.
Comic Books
When keeping comic book collections, it’s important to follow the saying “bagged and boarded.” The preservation of comic books is the main intention, so having several different types of bags, including those made of polyethene, polypropylene, and mylar, is important. In the end, it really doesn’t matter what material you use; as long as your comics are bagged, they won’t be at risk of fading. Bag size varies depending on how old the comics you wish to bag are.
The comic book storage board, which also goes into the bag with the comic, is meant to preserve the comic from being creased. Look for boards made of materials that aren’t acidic. For extremely special comic books, many individuals choose a hard case; although more expensive, they do promise to prevent any creases or harm to the comic.
Similar to vinyl records, comic books should be stood upright rather than put on top of each other being stored in boxes or containers. They will stand up beautifully and without flopping if they have been bagged and boarded. Make sure to raise your boxes off the ground using items such as milk crates or wooden pallets wherever you store your comic book collection, whether it be at home or in a self-storage unit.
Antiques and Vintage Toys
Preserving your vintage toys, games, and other antique collectibles is crucial, both for sentimental reasons and if you expect to one day sell them, whether you’re a full-fledged antique collector or just have some priceless family heirlooms you want to preserve safe. You should start by making sure your vintage and antique items are clean. If you’re dealing with vintage wooden toys, you might need to do some research to make sure you have the right cleaning agent; for metals, you could need specialised oil. Always put on gloves when handling antiques or expensive goods.
Avoid piling vintage and antique things on top of one another when storing them. If you have a large collection, optimum shelving is one that enables the items to stand straight without contacting anything else. If you must pack your antiques in boxes, wrap them carefully to prevent damage. However, avoid using bubble wrap if they will be kept for an extended period of time. Mold growth can be aided by airflow restrictions caused by plastic wrapping.
If you’re thinking about keeping antiques in storage for a long time, cloth and sheets are far better options. Because antiques and vintage artefacts are frequently valuable, it is a good idea to store them in a self-storage unit.
Storing Small Collectables – Trading Cards and Coins
Small collectibles, such as trading cards, coins, and stamps, are sometimes stored in binders, volumes, or unique cases created just for that object. A Toploader is a stiff plastic sleeve that is used to hold individual trading cards that are extremely uncommon. The cards are first placed in a thin plastic cover with the open end facing the bottom of the card. The primary sleeve and Toploader together ensure that the card cannot be harmed and that no dust can enter.
Coin capsules are special containers built just for coins. These can be used to protect coins that are especially rare or special that you don’t want to store in a typical binder. Why not consider a storage locker if you want to preserve your collection of trading cards or coins someplace secure and protected but feel it would be a little excessive to pay for a huge storage unit?
