📸 - To keep records in the best condition long-term I'd recommend a plastic outer sleeve (avoids wear/tear/rubbing the cover) and plastic inner sleeves (stops paper fibres clogging and scratching your grooves). The bigger bulk you buy these in (50/100) the cheaper they get.

- The only records that don't get this treatment in my home are ones that are already in questionable condition

- Avoid touching the grooves; fingers on the paper label, and thumbs on the outside rim for balance. Oil, dirt, and dust from your fingers transfer straight into the grooves, affecting the sound.

- Gently place records on the spindle - bashing them down can put marks and divots into the label.

- Where possible, use the 'cue lever' to gently drop and raise your needle. 

- Keep the dust cover down to avoid your disc from being exposed  -  static buildup while playing will attract more dust. LINK TO STUDY. Unless you're in a sealed laboratory you're going to have dust and static in your room. If you have kids or pets you're going to have 10x more.

📸 - Inner sleeve pointing up to avoid record rolling out the side. Outer sleeve also pointing up, to avoid inner sleeve rolling out (and dust getting in)

- Never pick a record up off of a spinning platter. Wait for it to come to a stop before lifting. This prevents static, scratching, and putting extra stress on the mechanical parts.