Collector's edition: How do I store collectibles?

Attention proud collectors, bookworms and gamers – this special post from our Storage Guides is perfect for anyone who: 

• has been collecting comic books since childhood
• owns more books than the local library
• can't bear to throw away old games consoles
• has more coins than Swiss francs in their bank account 

Or perhaps you consider your stamp collection to be your most valuable possession. 

Whether you want to store comic books or coins: 

If you are storing collectibles, the following tips are just what you need to enjoy your treasures for a long time to come. 

Storing comic books and books 

When your book collection overflows your shelves, it's time to box it up. This prevents damage and preserves the value and condition of your paper treasures. 

Tip 1: Keep it clean

We're all guilty of it: late-night snacking while reading your favourite literature has its charm. But oil and chocolate stains on the pages certainly won't help preserve their value or condition.   

 So wash and dry your hands before curling up on the sofa with your favourite book or comic. 

Avoid damage with sleeves and backing boards

Books and comics can bend or tear easily if you aren't careful. The good news is that you can buy special-sized plastic sleeves and/or backing boards. These protect and support your precious cargo – because unlike Wolverine, your comics won't heal seamlessly if they tear. 

You can store comic books in sleeves. 

Self-adhesive sleeves are available in various sizes. You can place the comics upright in their sleeves inside plastic boxes. That way you can browse them easily – think of a setup like in a record shop. 

Store comics and books in sturdy boxes

A sturdy box not only offers extra protection, but also helps keep things organized. It's best to invest in boxes designed for books. Their size makes them especially stable, preventing them from tearing under heavy weight.  

Pro tip: Label correctly

Don't want Spider-Man touching Hulk? Or poetry mixing with hair-raising autobiographies? There's only one thing for it: organize your books and comics by title, author, genre or whatever works for you – using separate boxes. Label every box so you can grab Shakespeare's Sonnets straight away without searching around.  

Avoid humidity

Both books and comics generally don't cope well with extreme heat or humidity. If you are storing truly special, rare or valuable books or comics, consider renting a climate-controlled storage unit. 

Otherwise, add a few silica gel packets (the small bags with plastic beads often found in coat pockets or shoeboxes). They absorb excess moisture. 

Storing video games and consoles

How to store games consoles properly

If you're a serious gamer, chances are you own multiple consoles – simply because you can't bring yourself to part with them. 

If you take good care of your consoles, you can easily store them and take them out whenever you want to play. Good care? Here's how: 

Remove all cables

Disconnect all cables and electronic components from the console. Coil them neatly or put them in a zip-lock bag. You can then tape them to the console so you always know which cable belongs where. 

Dust them off

Every games console's nightmare? Dust. Dust your consoles and games with a clean microfibre cloth. For hard-to-reach spots, use the fine attachment of a handheld vacuum cleaner or pipe cleaners. 

Keep discs separate

Discs/games must be stored in separate cases – never stacked on top of each other. Keep them in their original packaging. If that's already lost, buy a CD storage wallet. It saves space. 

If you want to save even more space, play a bit of Tetris and try to find a arrangement that leaves as little empty air as possible. 

Pack properly

Keep your games consoles and video games in separate boxes so they don't bump into each other and cause damage. Bubble wrap provides extra protection. Fill empty space in the boxes with packing paper to protect against shocks and rattling. 

Watch out for humidity

Moisture ruins video games and games consoles. So, just like with books and comics, consider a climate-controlled storage unit. 

Storing and preserving coins 

Are coins your passion, but the space the collection takes up isn't so great? Put them in a storage unit! The following tips will help you prepare your coins for storage. 

The first step is the hardest: improper or unnecessary treatment with harsh cleaning agents can severely damage the coins. 

We found the following cleaning tips on the mdm.de website: 

§ Precious metal coins minted in gold generally do not require any cleaning!

§ Most modern commemorative coins made of silver and base metals also do not require cleaning!

§ A simple soap bath is enough to remove finger marks or small spots!

§ Heavy dirt, such as on circulating coins, can also be removed using baking soda and lemon juice!

§ A silver dip bath helps brighten up spotty, tarnished silver coins (not suitable for proof coins)!

§ Never place different metals in the same liquid or treat them together!

§ Only touch the coins by their edges during cleaning!

§ Always try out any treatment on less valuable pieces first!

§ Clean coins as little as possible and leave them in their original condition as far as possible!

And one final tip: hands off the patina! 

This applies particularly to ancient copper coins. Over time, a natural patina usually forms on their surfaces, ranging from light green to shades of brown and black. Such a genuine patina must be preserved at all costs and should not be destroyed by misguided attempts to make it look better. It has formed over many centuries and is an unmistakable sign of authenticity for an ancient coin! 

Keep coins in an airtight container

Cardboard containers and plastic coin flips are fine for temporary storage. However, if you want to store your coins for the long term and keep them in good condition, you should opt for an airtight container.

So-called coin cases store your coins safely inside a handy case while resting on velvet. Perhaps worth an investment? 

And what about stamps? 

Protective sleeves offer the right protection for your stamps. They keep them clean and separated, preventing them from curling up. 

The same applies here: avoid humidity. 

Damp paper is prone to mould – bad news for stamps. In this case, a climate-controlled storage unit might also be an advantage. 

Summary: Storing collectibles 

Whether stamps, comics or consoles: general rules are to keep them clean, clean them thoroughly before storing, and pack them securely. Staying organized and labelling correctly saves you hassle, and a climate-controlled unit keeps your collectibles in top shape for the long haul. 

Do you have questions about other specific items? Drop us a line.