» CD & DVD Storage Options & Tips

Sponsors »

Even with iPods and other portable media devices coming on the market in recent years, most of us still buy and burn too many CDs and DVDs these days; favorite music compilations, back up and copies of home video and digital photos.

But how do you protect all these discs long term?

If you’re like most people, you need a place to store your many CD and DVDs. Built in shelving, cabinets and many other home entertainment storage options can fit the bill.

Home theater cabinetry includes pull out DVD & CD media storage.

With the ever growing collection of CD’s it is important to organize and store your media properly. This helps find music and movies easily when you want and keeps your living room bedroom or home theater clutter free.

CD and DVD cases help to protect them from the dust and scratches. Cabinets used for storage can be placed on the table, floor or can even be hung on the wall.

There are portable DVD and CD storage options in various designs and shapes. You’ll find small, medium and large types. You can choose the size, shape and the color according to the decor of the room. This serves as an important accessory in the house.

Nicely concealed behind theater-style curtains, these media storage shelves allow CDs and DVDs to be stored in an upright, vertical position.

Cabinets and cases can be made of wood, glass, metal, plastic etc. There are even portable cases which are water resistant. Cabinets which are designed to store media may have a lid attached on the top or a detachable lid, which can be separated from the body.

There are quick button access CD storage cabinets also available in the market. Cabinets also consist of drawers in it. This enables to store a wide number of CDs and DVDS. One can stack many CDs on top of each other.

Tips for Long Term CD and DVD Storage

Try not to put finger prints on either side of your media. Grease and acid from your skin can cause damage. It’s best if you pick discs up with a finger tip through the hole and your thumb on the edge only.
Always keep discs in the jewel cases. Those soft-sleeve cases may be convenient but they don’t protect discs from scratches. The plasticizers on some of these plastic sleeves may also cause long term damage.
Never bend or drop your discs.
Use only labels designed for CDs or DVDs. Other types of adhesive labels are not recommended.
Store discs in a dry, cool place. While small changes in humidity and temperature won’t harm them, rapid changes from very warm, wet environs to much cooler, dry conditions may warp and distort the media.
Always keep discs out of very bright light, which may damage dyes used in recordable DVD and CD media. Direct sunlight has high levels of UV which can also cause damage.

Shelves display musical memorabilia, instruments and a collection of favorite CD and DVD discs, making a nice decorative display in a teen bedroom.

You can remove fingerprints, liquid stains, dirt and smudges with a clean cotton cloth, wiping gently in a straight line from the center of the disc to the outer edge, but not in a circular motion.
Try using methanol or isopropyl on more stubborn smudges.
Store discs vertically in the jewel case for maximum lifespan. Long term it is best not to store in a horizontal position.
Conditions of about 40% relative humidity and 65°C room temperature will be optimal for long-term storage.
CDs and DVDs may get very hot while being read so it’s best not to leave your discs in the drive for extended time periods.