VHS Storage Tips: What to Keep, Digitize, or Recycle

Smart VHS Storage Starts with a Simple Question: Why Are You Keeping This?

If you're holding onto a box—or an entire shelf—of VHS tapes, you're not alone. These bulky relics represent memories, milestones, and maybe a few movies taped off TV in the '90s. But as time marches on, many people are rethinking how they store or repurpose their collections.

Whether you’re preserving family footage or finally starting that basement cleanout, organizing your VHS storage the right way can help protect what matters and let go of what doesn’t.

Decluttering Tips for VHS Tapes

Start with these simple steps to decide what stays and what goes:

• Label Check: Pull every tape and read the label. Is it a wedding? A preschool play? Or just a rerun of Cheers?

• Prioritize Personal: Family videos and original footage take precedence over mass-produced movies you can now stream.

• Sort into Three Piles:

  1. Keep to Digitize

  2. Ready to Recycle

  3. Not Sure Yet (limit this pile!)

Need more motivation? Read our guide on why you can no longer find a working VCR.

How to Store VHS Tapes Safely

If you’re not quite ready to part with your tapes, make sure they’re stored in a way that prevents damage:

• Cool, Dry Location: Avoid attics or basements with humidity swings.

• Store Upright: Like books, tapes should be stored vertically to protect the reels.

• Keep Away from Magnets: TVs, speakers, and other electronics can erase your content.

Still, no matter how well you store them, analog tapes degrade. For family keepsakes, the better solution is to convert VHS tapes to digital, preserving your memories without the clutter.

Recycle VHS: What Are Your Options?

Most recycling centers don’t accept VHS tapes, but that doesn’t mean they have to go straight to the trash. Here are a few creative or eco-conscious ways to recycle VHS:

• Mail-In Recycling Services: Some companies specialize in media recycling, though fees may apply.

• Donation: Film schools or art collectives may take blank tapes.

• Digitize First: Before tossing any tape, make sure it doesn't hold personal footage. If you’re not sure what’s on a tape, don’t worry—Heirloom doesn't charge for digitizing blank tapes.

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