Cleaning your CDs

[admin_exported]

Or mine rather: is it safe to use some of those wet "optical" wipes? i.e., those I currently use to clean my glasses, laptop display, etc.

Main reason is that I borrow a lot of CDs from the library, and blu-ray discs from Lovefilm, and a lot of the times, they're filthy (or not very clean at least).

 

[VoodooDoctor]

I use a soft cloth and isopropyl alcohol spray. Works well. I think the wipes have isopropyl alcohol on them too.

 

[Anonymous]

I rub them clean on my all wool jumper.

 

[Anonymous]

I breathe on mine and then wipe them on my jeans.

Never had any problems!

If yours are getting filthy - you need to look after them better.

 

[idc]

Momo72, I to borrow CDs from the library and clean them with a rotary cleaner and alcohol agent I bought from Woolworths. Recently the Telegraph gave out a little book of tips and hints, which included using car polish to clean really dirty and scratched CDs. I have not tried it!

 

[Anonymous]

heystak:I breathe on mine and then wipe them on my jeans.Never had any problems!If yours are getting filthy - you need to look after them better.

I normally don't mind doing the breathing thing with my own CDs to give them a quick clean.

But as I borrow a LOT of CDs and bluray discs at the moment, I've noticed that a lot of them come to me very dirty. Not just smearing or fingerprints, but dry solid dirt, etc. I don't want to scrape it off with some scissors obviously.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

VoodooDoctor:I use a soft cloth and isopropyl alcohol spray. Works well. I think the wipes have isopropyl alcohol on them too.

Thanks Doc. I've got some at home to keep the contactor of my banana plugs clean and shiny. I'll give it a try!

 

[coolaboola]

When you are wiping a c.d , I have heard that it is better to wipe the alcohol from the centre of the disk out to the edge as opposed to wiping in a circular motion.Its works for me but it may be another contender on mythbusters.Good luck

 

[Anonymous]

coolaboola:
When you are wiping a c.d , I have heard that it is better to wipe the alcohol from the centre of the diskÿout to the edge as opposed to wiping in a circular motion.Its works for me but it may be another contender on mythbusters.Good luck

I don't think it's a myth, and I believe too that it is the recommended method. The correct one, I don't know. I'm not sure many people do it that way though.

ÿ

 

[ElectroMan]

LoveFilm sent out cleaning cloths last year.

I must admit that, as I rent a lot of world cinema DVDs from them, I expected the discs to be in perfect condition. Rather patronising, I know, but I thought only Hollywood blockbusters would be likely to be mishandled. I thought the kind of person who is prepared to read subtitles would be sophisticated enough to treat the discs with extra care.

I was very wrong!

 

[cstanwhf]

If I need to clean my CD, DVD or BD disc, i basically uses the dish washing liquid or liquid soap, turn on the tap, wet the disc, lather the washing liquid or liquid soap on the surface of the reading area and label side as well, then rinse away until it is clean. All this with my bare hands.

Then use tissue paper to gently wipe side to side (as opposed to from centre to the edge). Once dry, I will use those followers CD cleaner (like those wet tissue type) and gently wipe from side to side until the reading surface is dry and clean.

Sometime, will accidentally scratch the surface. But usually, no harm is done to the reading surface of the disc.

Only problem is sometimes, the centre of the disc, there is an opening. Water and soap may get in. Need to use the edge of the tissue paper, insert it in to suck up the water. Or just leave it to dry. After a few days, the water is gone. Not sure if this will cause any harm to the disc or not.

 

[ElectroMan]

Just remembered, I had one of these Discwasher systems.

It was fun to use, and I used it to wash all my CDs, after reading that getting rid of grunge that can apparently be put on them in the factory would make most CDs sound better.

I can't say I noticed any difference (apart from the occasional drying marks on the discs). I eventually sold it on eBay.

I think your method is just as good!