COLLECTOR GUIDE 05 · PRESERVATION
Collection storage
Practical temperature, humidity, sunlight, shelving, vertical storage, and disaster planning for real homes.
Reviewed July 2026 · Practical home-collection guidanceChoose the most stable room
For home collections, favor a cool, dry, clean room with small seasonal swings. Avoid attics, garages, damp basements, exterior walls with condensation, radiators, vents, leaks, and direct sunlight.
Store VHS tapes upright and supported
Keep VHS tapes upright on their long edge in clean cases, with enough support that they do not lean or bow. Use sturdy shelving secured appropriately for the weight.
Plan for the ordinary disaster
Keep media off the floor. Know where water pipes and drains run. Photograph shelves, maintain a VHS catalog, back up unique recordings, and keep basic insurance information outside the collection room.
Use numbers as guidance
The Library of Congress suggests a stable home environment around room temperature or below and roughly 35-40% relative humidity. The Canadian Conservation Institute gives broader ranges for magnetic tape but emphasizes cool, dry conditions and minimal fluctuation.