Keep the Memories Alive: How to Preserve Your Old VHS Tapes

Do you have a basement full of old VHS tapes that you can’t play anymore?

Families nowadays are able to capture any moments they want on smartphones and digital cameras. In the 80s and 90s however, if you wanted to shoot some video of a family gathering or vacation, you had to bring your camcorder along and transfer it to VHS.

VCRs and VHS tapes may be a thing of the past, but those memories are still present on them. In this post, we’re going to tell you how to preserve your old VHS tapes with cleaning, storage, and digitizing tips. Keep reading and you’ll never have to worry about your family memories fading away.

Digitizing Your Tapes

VHS players are tough to come by these days. It’s not exactly a convenient medium when you could just digitize your old tapes and have them on your hard drive for easy access.

Digitizing your old VHS tapes couldn’t be easier when you bring them to a company like envisionvideoservices.com. As long as your VHS tapes are in good condition, you’ll have all of your memories on a DVD or in digital files in no time data all.

Many of these services will offer VHS repair as well, but it’s always better when your VHS tapes are well preserved.

How to Store Old VHS Tapes

Storing your old VHS tapes in the right location and in the right container will keep them in great shape for years to come. Don’t put them in a cardboard box, as they’re too easily destroyed by moisture and dust.

Instead, buy weatherproof containers with sealable lids. When you pack your VHS tapes into the bins, make sure they’re standing upright and fully rewound. If you can avoid placing the bins in moist areas, like the basement or garage, it’ll be much better for them.

How to Clean Old VHS Tapes

If your VHS tapes are dusty, they may end up being unplayable. There are a few different ways to preserve old VHS tapes by cleaning them. One is with an electronic tape cleaner, but those are about as hard to come by these days as a VCR.

To do it manually, you’ll just need some cotton gloves and tissue. If they’ve been exposed to moisture, then let them dry. Once dry, gently open the flap on the casing where the tape is exposed and pull out about 12 inches of tape.

Very carefully, wipe the exposed tape with a tissue or cotton cloth. Don’t use any cleaners because moisture will definitely damage your tapes. Once you’re done cleaning, use the reel to move the tape forward and pull out another 12 inches; proceed like this until the entire tape is cleaned.

What to Do With Old VHS Tapes?

Now that you know how to care for VHS tapes, you can properly store them in a cool, dry area of your home. Most people don’t know what to do with old VHS tapes, but they’re as much a part of the memories as what’s on them. Any physical memento of the past is worth keeping in this digital age, so use these tips and keep your old VHS tapes in top condition.

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