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Cleaning CDs & DVDs

CDs and DVDs need periodic cleaning to improve their performance -- especially if they become dirty or scratched. CD and DVD cleaning can be completed at home with a number of different cleaning products. Choose a method based on the condition of the CD or DVD you want to clean. Always begin with the least aggressive cleaning method capable of repairing your CD.

Things You'll Need

  • Cloth
  • Furniture polish
  • Toothpaste
  • Rubbing alcohol
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Instructions

    • 1

      Dip a cloth into rubbing alcohol in order to dampen it. Then wipe away dirt on the surface of your CD or DVD with the rubbing alcohol on this cloth. As you wipe, it is best to move across the CD starting at the center of the disc and wiping toward the outside edge. Doing so will prevent scratching the disc while cleaning.

    • 2

      Spray a cloth with furniture polish and wipe the surface of your CD or DVD if it is lightly scratched. The furniture polish will improve the performance of the scratched CD or DVD by polishing its surface. When finished applying the furniture polish, clean the disc with rubbing alcohol following the directions in Step 1.

    • 3

      Squirt toothpaste onto a cloth and rub it over the surface of your CD or DVD if it has moderate to heavy scratches. The toothpaste will wear away these scratches because of its fine grained texture. If the scratches don't seem to be disappearing, add more toothpaste and apply more pressure when rubbing the CD. After you have finished removing most of the scratches, clean the disc with rubbing alcohol following the directions in Step 1.

Digital Music

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