If you’re having trouble playing discs, it could be because they’re badly damaged, or it could just be an indicator that they need to be cleaned. Knowing how to clean a CD is extremely practical as it is an important part of disc maintenance. Especially with rental discs, a quick clean can make the disc easier to play and ensure that no dust gets into the CD or DVD player. Disc cleanliness is also important when reading data, as dust or small scratches can damage the integrity of the data.
Use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean a CD or DVD.
Often all a disc requires is a quick clean, preferably with a cloth designed specifically for cleaning a CD. To remove dust from a DVD or CD, use a soft, lint-free cloth. Hold the disk with tweezers with one finger along the edge and one finger in the center hole, not touching the shiny part, and gently move the fabric radially outward from the center. Do not rub the disc or move the cloth in a circular pattern and avoid following the circular lines of the disc.
A dirty DVD can cause skipping or other problems during playback.
If the disc still looks dirty after dusting, or if you’re having trouble playing it, a more serious cleaning effort may be in order. Several companies make special chemical formulas for cleaning DVDs, but you can also use household cleaning products. One of the best cleaning products is rubbing alcohol, but you can also use a mild soap and warm water solution. Avoid heavy solvents when cleaning your CDs as they can damage the disc.
Isopropyl alcohol is one of the best cleaning products for CDs and DVDs.
Apply the cleaning solution to a clean, lint-free cloth and wipe the disc, again radially. When cleaning a CD with a liquid material, be sure to remove excess liquid and never return the disc to its packaging while it is still wet. Let the clean disc dry completely before trying to play it again. When you clean a CD with isopropyl alcohol or a specialized cleaning solution, the cleaner often dries so quickly that this isn’t much of a concern, but check for smudges and marks that might interfere with cleaning.
Even after cleaning, a disc may not play properly due to scratches. Some companies make products that are designed to cover records, smoothing out scratches so they can be played again. Depending on the severity of the damage, these products can be quite effective, but it’s a good idea to back up your data as soon as you’ve repaired the drive in case it fails again.
Some household cleaning products can be used to clean a CD or DVD.
