Climate Requirements: Temperature and Humidity
Store figures in a climate-controlled space between 60-75°F (15-24°C) with 30-50% relative humidity. This means inside your home, not in a garage, attic, or outdoor storage unit. Garages and attics experience temperature swings that cause PLA to slowly warp and vinyl to become tacky or brittle.
High humidity (above 60%) promotes mold growth on packaging and can cause paint to bubble over time. Low humidity (below 20%) makes vinyl brittle. A closet in an air-conditioned room is usually the ideal storage spot. If your storage area feels uncomfortable for you, it is uncomfortable for your figures.
Step 1: Prepare Each Figure for Storage
Clean every figure before storing it — trapped dust becomes grime over months. Follow the basic cleaning method: dry dust with a soft brush, then wipe with a barely damp microfiber cloth. Let dry completely.
Wrap each figure individually in acid-free tissue paper (available at craft stores, about $5 for a 100-sheet pack). Do not use newspaper (ink transfers), regular tissue paper (may contain acids), bubble wrap for long-term storage (can leave circle imprints on vinyl after months), or plastic cling wrap (traps moisture).
For PLA figures like Duck Bubu, Snow Wing Bubu, Angel Bubu, and Pink Fang Bubu, acid-free tissue paper is the safest wrapping. PLA is less reactive than vinyl, but tissue paper still prevents surface-to-surface contact that can cause paint transfer.
Step 2: Choose the Right Container
Use rigid plastic bins with lids — not cardboard boxes. Cardboard attracts insects, absorbs moisture, and offers no protection against compression. Sterilite and IRIS brand bins with latching lids work well. A 16-quart bin holds 4-6 figures comfortably with padding.
Place a layer of acid-free tissue paper at the bottom of the bin. Set wrapped figures upright (standing position) with tissue paper between each one. Never stack figures on top of each other. Fill empty space with crumpled acid-free tissue paper so nothing shifts if the bin is moved.
Step 3: Protect Against Light, Pests, and Pressure
Store bins in a dark location. Any light exposure — even ambient room light over months — causes gradual color fading and yellowing, especially on white and light-colored figures. Inside a closet with the door closed is ideal.
Add a small silica gel packet (5-10 gram size) to each bin to absorb excess moisture. Replace these every 6 months. Do not use mothballs — the chemicals can interact with vinyl and PLA.
Never stack heavy items on top of storage bins. Even with rigid bins, sustained weight over months can compress lids and put pressure on figures inside. Store bins on shelves, not on the floor where they might get kicked or have things piled on top.
Check-In Schedule and Rotation
Open and inspect stored figures every 3-6 months. Check for any signs of paint transfer between touching surfaces, moisture condensation, yellowing, or pest damage. Replace silica gel packets during these check-ins.
Consider rotating your display collection seasonally. Swap displayed figures with stored ones every few months. This reduces UV exposure time for any single figure and lets you enjoy your full collection over time. Figures that have been stored properly come out looking exactly the same — that is the whole point of doing it right.