Although information media has expanded over recent years to include external hard drives, USB flash drives, MP3 players, and handheld computers, CDs and DVDs are still an important commodity within modern society. Because of this, it is important that people know how to properly take care of their CDs and DVDs as they are prone to collecting dust, scratches, and other residue that can damage the disc or prevent the disc from working. This article will explain how to remove such residue from CDs and DVDs so that users can achieve maximum functionality from their discs.
Dust
CDs and DVDs often collect dust that can prevent the disc from being read properly by the disc reader. Dust can generally be removed by wiping the disc with a cloth. Preferably, users should use a microfiber cloth to clean their discs as these are much softer than regular fabrics and can remove more dust and residue from the disc. A microfiber cloth is the same type of material that is used to clean eyeglasses and telescope lenses. This type of material will not scratch the disc which could cause even worse problems. In addition to removing dust, a microfiber cloth will also remove fingerprints, oil spots, and other loose residue that has built up on the disc.
Spots
If a user has already tried wiping the disc with a microfiber cloth and it still will not work properly, the user should try dampening a wad of tissue paper in vinegar and wiping the disc down again. As vinegar contains acetic acid, it is able to break down thicker amounts of residue than a simple wipe. Vinegar should be able to remove any spots, stains, or leftover oil that remains on the disc. Users should take precaution while wiping the disc so as to not scratch the disc. Users should place their pointer finger through the center of the disc with their thumb holding the exterior side. The user should then wipe the disc starting from the center and moving the tissue paper outward towards the outer edges of the disc. The user should then rotate the disc as he/she is wiping it down in this manner. Users should not wipe the disc in circles as this can cause the vinegar to dry unevenly later on and cause more problems. Once the disc has been completely wiped down with vinegar, the disc should be left to dry completely and should not be used until then.
Scratches
Small scratches on a disc can be removed by using toothpaste. Toothpaste is an abrasive which means that it will break down the edges of the scratch which should allow the disc reader to skip over that spot. Users should dab a tiny bit of toothpaste on the scratch and rub it in with a moist cloth or a wet fingertip. However, deep scratches may not be as easy to repair. If the user holds the disc up to a light and he/she is able to see the light through the scratch, then the disc is actually damaged and the data that was there is now missing. When this happens, it is usually time to find a new copy of the disc. If the user can get the disc to play, however, he/she should copy its contents to a new disc as soon as possible because it is not guaranteed that the disc will remain playable.
CD + DVD Cleaning Kit
It is a good idea for all disc users to have a standard CD/DVD cleaning kit. This kit may include toothpaste, a microfiber cloth, vinegar or window cleaner, and a professional disc polish. Disc cleaning kits can be found in most computer repair stores and can always be found online.
