If you have a warped record, remove it from the cardboard cover (but keep it in the protective sleeve), and place it between two thick plates of glass. Stack a few heavy books on top of the glass and leave them for 7-10 days. [2] X Research source This might not be effective for every record, but if it doesn’t work, there are always other ways to use your record. You could even try making a Salvador Dali clock out of it!

Most record sleeves for sale are anti-static, acid free, and generally offer more protection for your record than the sleeves that come in the original packaging. If you do a lot of listening to your collection, consider getting aftermarket sleeves.

Sunlight is also damaging to records, and can lead to warping. It is important to make sure your records are not stored or played for long periods of time in direct sunlight.

Try to make sure your records are as vertical as possible. It might be helpful to use a bookend to hold your records upright like you would books on a shelf.

Never move the arm on your record player by hand, as the drop of the needle can harm your record. Use the cueing lever on your record player and aim for the area, letting the arm drop slowly to prevent gouging the vinyl.

Gently wipe records with a carbon fibre brush before and after each play, and before you begin a deep clean. Wrap your index finger in a lint-free cloth, and lightly dip it into a bowl of warm, distilled water. Gently rub your finger over the record in a circular motion following the grooves of the record, moving clockwise from the center of the record out. Once at the edge of the record, wipe counter-clockwise back into the center of the record. If your record is still not clean, mix a drop of dish soap into the distilled water and repeat. All soap will leave a residue, so try not to use any soap to clean your records. Rinse once more by wiping with distilled water to remove residue from soap. Records should be dry immediately due to small amount of water used. Avoid getting the label wet. If you do, pat dry with a clean, lint-free towel. If your record is still not clean, consider using a record vacuum system. Although expensive, they are engineered to do the best job of cleaning your records while keeping them safe.

For a shellac record that is older and more resilient, you can try the method for cleaning using distilled water and a small amount of dish soap.