Properly storing old audio cassettes can keep their recordings playable for up to a hundred years, the website infohub.kz reports, citing Engadget.
Magnetic audio cassettes last about 30 years on average. Under poor conditions, however, a tape can become unusable in as little as five years. Over time the binder coating on the tape loses its lubricant and begins to peel, and without regular use it turns sticky. To extend the life of vintage albums and mixtapes, experts recommend paying close attention to how they are stored.
The main enemies of magnetic tape are sharp temperature swings, high humidity, dust and direct sunlight. Cassettes should be kept in protective cases in a dry, cool place. Room temperature should be between 15 and 23 degrees Celsius, with humidity between 25% and 55%. Attics and basements are unsuitable for storage unless the cassettes are placed in airtight plastic containers.
Specialists also advise regularly cleaning tape recorder playback heads and wiping dust off cassette shells. After each listen, a cassette should be fully rewound to the beginning to avoid uneven tension on the film. This kind of care will help preserve rare audio recordings for future generations.