Buzz
If left in its case for a long time, a CD can easily collect dust, fingerprints, and stains, which can affect its playback. Fortunately, cleaning a CD is simple and requires only a few common household items. The easiest way to clean your CD is by wiping the underside with a gentle soap solution and then rinsing it with clean water. If you have rubbing alcohol, you can also use it to dissolve any stubborn residue stuck on the disc.
Steps
Clean light dust and stains with soap and water
Blow or wipe off dust from the disc's surface. Use a can of compressed air to blow off the dust without touching the disc. If you don’t have a can of compressed air, you can gently dust it with a soft, lint-free cloth. Afterward, try playing the disc. If the problem persists, you may need to proceed with a more thorough cleaning method.
- When dusting the CD by hand, be sure to clean from the center out to the edges to prevent spreading dust and causing damage.
- Note: Be gentle during the process. If you're not careful, you may accidentally scratch the disc while dusting.
Find a container large enough to hold the CD. A bowl with sloped sides works best, but you can also use a plastic container. Make sure the inside of the container is clean and free from dust or any other debris.
- If the container you are using has been sitting in a cupboard for a while, rinse it with warm water to remove any dust that may have settled inside before adding the soapy solution.
Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of mild soap solution to the container or bowl. You can also opt for a specialized cleaning solution (purely natural and mixed with distilled water). It’s important to choose a mild soap because harsh cleaners may contain abrasives and leave scratches on the disc.
- Hand soap is a good option as long as it doesn’t contain any moisturizing agents or additives, which could leave residue on the CD.
Pour warm water into the container so that it covers 5 - 7.5 cm from the bottom. Then, use your finger to mix the soap and water together. This will create a bubbly solution.
- Warm water is more effective at cleaning than cold water because it softens any grime on the surface.
- The soap solution may foam up a bit, but that’s fine since we’ll rinse it off right after.
Submerge the dirty CD in the soapy solution for about 1 minute. This will give the solution enough time to loosen the dirt on the disc. Note: Be sure to place the CD with the label side facing up to avoid contact with the bottom of the container.
- If you prefer, you can gently swirl the CD in the water a few times to enhance the cleaning effect.
Rinse the CD under warm running water. Tilt the disc at different angles under the tap to wash away the soapy solution from both sides. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear and there are no soap streaks or bubbles left on the disc.
- Hold the CD with two fingers: one finger through the hole in the center and the other on the outer edge to avoid smudging the surface while rinsing.
Repeat the process if necessary. If the CD is still not clean, let it soak in the soapy solution for another minute. This time, gently rub the stubborn stains in a circular motion with your finger. The dirt will come off easily with just a bit of pressure.
- If the CD still isn’t better after the second wash, it’s likely that the disc has scratches rather than just dirt. In this case, you may need to fix minor scratches on the surface of the CD.
Dry the disc with a lint-free cloth. After shaking off any excess water, use a cloth to gently blot both sides to absorb any remaining moisture. As mentioned before, wipe from the center outwards to minimize the risk of damage. Once finished, your CD will play smoothly and look as good as new.
- Microfiber cloths are perfect for drying delicate items like CDs, DVDs, and electronic components.
- It’s better to dry the disc by hand rather than letting it air dry, as water can leave streaks if it stays on the disc too long.
Use rubbing alcohol to remove stubborn stains
Mix a 1:1 ratio of 90% isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. Pour equal amounts of alcohol and distilled water into a shallow container, then stir them together. You don’t need a large amount—about 60-90 ml of each liquid is sufficient.
- Distilled water is crucial because it ensures a true polish without introducing contaminants. Tap water contains tiny particles that can scratch the surface.
- Rubbing alcohol is very effective at removing thick, sticky dirt like soda residue or food particles.
- The acidity of the alcohol is reduced by mixing it with water, which prevents any damage to the CD's plastic surface.
Dip a clean, lint-free cloth into the solution. Drape the cloth over your finger and dip it into the alcohol mixture. This allows you to absorb just the right amount of solution and apply it precisely to the surface.
- To avoid drips, let the excess solution drip off the cloth before you start wiping the disc.
- Only use microfiber cloths, chamois, or similar materials. Regular hand towels can easily scratch the surface.
Wipe the CD surface from the center to the outer edge. Apply moderate pressure, wiping in straight, gentle strokes from the center outward. Any foreign dirt on the disc will be removed by the cloth. Continue wiping until the entire underside of the disc is clean.
- If you encounter a stubborn spot, keep wiping straight across it multiple times instead of scrubbing in circular motions.
Allow the CD to air dry. Once cleaning is done, hold the disc with two fingers as described in the previous method. The alcohol solution will evaporate in a few seconds, so there’s no need to use another cloth to wipe it dry. Afterward, place the newly cleaned disc into the player and test it out.
Tips
- To prevent your CD from getting dirty in the future, make sure to store it in its original plastic case, a CD sleeve, or a separate CD container.
- Always check for scratches or signs of wear on the CD before cleaning. Playback issues like skipping or distorted sound are more often due to disc damage than dirt buildup, and cleaning a CD too frequently could contribute to the problem.
Warnings
- Never use paper towels, toilet paper, or any other paper products to dry a CD. In addition to visible paper dust, paper towels can leave behind hundreds of tiny scratches on the surface of the disc.
- Avoid using glass cleaners, furniture polish, stain removers, or any other household cleaning products, as they tend to be highly abrasive.
Things You Will Need
Soap and water
- Gentle soap solution
- Warm water
- Large container (box, bowl, etc.)
- Lint-free clean cloth
Rubbing alcohol
- 90% Isopropyl alcohol
- Distilled water
- Shallow container
- Lint-free clean cloth
