Reddit mentions of Invest In Vinyl 100 Clear Plastic Protective LP Outer Sleeves 3 Mil. Vinyl Record Sleeves Album Covers 12.75" x 12.5" Provide Your LP Collection with The Proper Protection

I wash records for my record store and inner sleeves that are open faced toward the outer jacket opening will always significantly have more dust, compared to records that have been stored with the inner sleeve opening facing upward inside the jacket.

I wash records that can be 10-50+ years old and the ones that are stored like I stated above, plus with outer plastic sleeves are always VG++\NM (If it’s been with an owner who didn’t thrash it).

They may not seem like a big deal but after years of collecting, the little things to keep them safe make a huge difference.

Also, dust can lead to surface wear (different from scratches) which can create your pops and it wears your needle faster! A minimal amount for a short period of time is not going to kill them but just be aware of it. Don’t let it cake up!

Not to scare you and leave you with anxiety but always take the extra effort to keep them safe and clean. Don’t be lazy on maintaining them!

Pick these up!
plastic outer sleeves (100 for 23 bucks! amazon prime)

get micro fiber towels
Give it a little rub before each listen.

Here are my tips:

1. Get some sort of record cleaning device. Could be a Spin Clean, could be a Squeaky Clean, or something more expensive than that. But get something. Once you have it, make sure you wet clean your records within a week or two of getting them. They'll sound better and it's worth it.
   
   
2. Now that you've cleaned your new or used record, why not put it into a nice anti-static sleeve. I'm a sucker for the MoFi sleeves, but just find something that works for you. If you're wondering why you'd want to spend another $20 right now it ends up being $.40 per record.
   
   
3. And once you've put that record in a nice anti-static sleeve you should put the whole thing into a nice poly outer sleeve to protect the jacket. Again, you can get a bundle of these (30 or so) for $5 at your local record store or find any number of places online. But the point is that if you're going to spend $15 - $30 for a new LP it's probably worth an extra $.50 total to protect it. People do things differently, but I put the jacket in the outer sleeve and plop the record in the anti-static sleeve inside the outer sleeve behind the jacket.
   
   Store those well-protected records vertically and out of the sunlight and you should be good to go.

This might be a dumb question, but are plastic and PVC the same thing? I want to make sure buying these plastic outer sleeves is a safe option:

https://www.amazon.ca/Plastic-Protective-Sleeves-Vinyl-Record/dp/B01HHBA0PY/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1488269580&sr=8-7&keywords=outer+sleeve

Thanks!

The Mofi ones are supposed to be the best inner sleeves. There are many outer jackets out there, I get the "Invest in vinyl" brand from Amazon, I think sleeve city is supposed to have the best. I've had no issues with what I get and I use them for my laserdiscs as well.

Edit: Inner https://www.amazon.com/MOBILE-FIDELITY-SOUND-INNER-SLEEVES/dp/B001LQSFKY/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=mobile+fidelity+sleeves&qid=1557331798&s=gateway&sr=8-4
Outer https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HHBA0PY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My only suggestion would be to get protective sleeves for your albums. I can see Taboo is already bowing open which will let a lot of dust in. having it like that can possibly damage the jacket as well over time, protective sleeves are cheap and will hold everything together better. https://smile.amazon.com/Invest-Vinyl-Protective-Collection-Protection/dp/B01HHBA0PY/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1539177809&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=outer+sleeves+for+vinyl+records&psc=1

ALSO TIP: If you're just starting your collection, and you think there's a possibility you may end up with like 3,000 one day, START CLEANING THEM (If they're used) as you go, scrubbing the vinyl for dirt debris, dusting the covers/sleeves, and putting the covers in protective plastic. If that's your thing.


Record Cleaner


Sleeves


Plastic Covers

Edit: Damn. This Record Cleaner used to be like $35-40. Price of vinyl and vinyl accessories has jumped so high in the last few years.

Ask and you shall receive.

One more, cuz options are nice!

Edit: found these as well

Edit 2: posting them as I find them

Edit 3: $25 for 100, but these are resealable apparently.

I prefer 3mil poly sleeves: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HHBA0PY/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_jjfxDbKT57D92

These are very similar to the sleeves that the reissues came in. I hate those "crystal" clear sleeves that are all loud and crinkly like a bag of chips and/or have adhesive "envelope" flaps.

I keep all of my records in one of these 3 mil. outer sleeves with the record in a MoFi inner sleeve behind the record jacket.