How To Clean Your CDs

Unabridged Version

Checking

• Check for any fingerprints, smudges, or anything that might be on the disc, and clean those properly.

Cleaning

• Don't panic if dust or finger prints get on the disc.
• Clean the disk gently and wipe with a lint-free cloth, compressed air, or a liquid cleanser, soft clean cloth, anti-static cloth from the inside ring out - you never want to wipe in circles, as that can create bad scratches which cause the disk to become unreadable and never use a tissue, paper towel, toilet paper or other random rag.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for using a cleaner. In any case, put the cleaner on your cloth first, not on the CD itself.
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Care

• Never force a disc out of its case. Keep fingerprints off the disc if possible. When you remove a disc, handle it by the edges or insert a finger or thumb inside the center hole of the CD but never touch the shiny surface.
• Make sure to keep discs in their cases when not in use in a CD player, because they're very sensitive to any foreign objects or any fingerprints that might appear on the disc.
• When traveling in a vehicle with CDs to help keep them protected, keeping them in a separate CD holder with soft sleeves that can protect them.
• Avoid sitting them on any surfaces or stacking them on one another while out of their cases. This will cause them to be scratched.
• Avoid direct heat and light. Keeping your CDs in a place that lacks air conditioning won't ruin them, but exposing them to direct heat or intense light will. As on discs, the dye layer is susceptible to light; and if light affects the disc, its data may become unreadable.
• If exposed to extreme heat, a disc can become warped and unusable. Avoid leaving on dashboards and other areas in vehicles where it can be exposed to the sun.
• Discs are a lot more durable than people think when it comes to temperature. However, if you do take media from storage in a warm environment to a cool one, or vice versa, you might see condensation on the disc. If this happens let the disc come to room temperature before using it.
• Keep your drive or player clean. Even if you religiously keep your discs clean, dust and debris can build up inside your unit over time. Use a cleaning disc on your drive, burner, or player once every six months to remove any buildup that could affect its pickup assembly.
• Do not write on CDs with a ballpoint pen or any marker.
• Try to keep away from food and from handling with sticky fingers.

CD Is Not Playing

• Check for any fingerprints, smudges, or anything that might be on the disc, and clean properly.
• Make sure the CD is seated properly in your CD player.
• Check your drive or player is clean.

Abridged Version - 7 Simple Steps

1. When you remove a disc, handle it by the edges or insert a finger or thumb inside the center hole of the CD but never touch the shiny surface. Never wipe the CD in a circular motion, and never rub the CD.
2. Make sure to keep discs in their cases when not in use.
3. Try to keep away from handling with sticky fingers.
4. Never use a ballpoint pen or any marker to write on your CDs.
5. Do not try to remove labels from your CD. The adhesive may pull off the foil on which the data is encoded.
6. To clean your CD, use a soft clean cloth (non scratching) and wipe from the center hub to the outer edge.
7. Never use solvents to clean the CD, as they may cause permanent damage to the disc. Household cleaning products may harm CDs. You may want to use a Lens cleaner and a lens cloth or soft cloth to clean your discs. If you own an iPod, MP3 Player, PSP or Camera you may already have a soft cloth and cleaning agents that you can use.