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The Best Way to Remove Scratches from a CD

Store-bought CD cleaning kits aren't always necessary. There are many ways to remove scratches from a CD using cleaning products found around the house. Choose the most appropriate method based on the severity of the scratches on your CD. If you are unsure where to start, always use the least aggressive cleaning method first before moving on to more aggressive methods. Although these methods will often successfully repair a scratched CD, there is no guarantee they will work if a CD has been severely damaged.

Things You'll Need

  • Soft cloth
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Furniture polish
  • Toothpaste
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Instructions

  1. Light Damage and Dirt

    • 1

      Use rubbing alcohol to recover a CD that has light scratches or a dirty surface. Pour the rubbing alcohol onto a soft cloth and then wipe the surface of the CD with it.

    • 2

      As you wipe the surface of the CD, move from the inside edge of the CD to the outside edge. Wiping across the CD in this manner will minimize your chances of scratching the CD while cleaning it.

    • 3

      Air dry the CD before testing it.

    Moderate Damage

    • 4

      Use furniture polish to recover a CD that has light to moderate scratches. Spray the furniture polish onto a clean, soft cloth and then wipe the surface of the CD to coat it in furniture polish. Once again, move from the inside edge of the CD to the outside edge when wiping to minimize scratching.

    • 5

      Clean the CD using rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth after rubbing the CD with furniture polish.

    • 6

      Air dry the CD before testing it.

    Heavy Damage

    • 7

      Use toothpaste to recover a CD that has moderate to heavy scratches. Use only the paste type; do not use the gel type. Squirt the toothpaste onto a clean, soft cloth and then rub the toothpaste into the scratches on your CD. When rubbing, move in a circular motion and then finish by rubbing from the inside edge of the CD to the outside edge around the circumference of the CD. As you rub the toothpaste into the scratches, the grainy texture of the toothpaste will smooth out the scratches on your CD.

    • 8

      Clean the CD with rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth after most of the scratches have disappeared.

    • 9

      Air dry the CD before testing it.

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