How to Clean a Dirty CD

Removing Dust and Light Dirt with Soap and Water

1. Blow or wipe any loose dust from the surface of the disc. Use a canister of compressed air to dislodge the dust without having to touch the disc. If you don't have any compressed air handy, you can also brush it off gently using a soft, lint-free cloth. Then, try playing the disc. If you're still having problems, you may need to move on to a more intensive cleaning method.^[1]

   1. When dusting a CD by hand, always work your way outward from the center of the disc to the outer edge to prevent damage avoid spreading the dust around.^[2]
   2. Be sure to handle the disc delicately—if you're not careful, you can actually scratch a CD while attempting to remove dust.

2. Find a container large enough to submerge a CD in. A bowl with steep sides will work best, but you could also use a plastic storage container. Make sure the inside of the container is clean and completely free of dust or other debris.^[3]

   1. If the container you're using has been tucked away inside a cabinet for a while, swirl some warm water in it to rinse out any dust that may be inside before you fill it up with the soap solution.
3. Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of mild liquid dish soap to the container. You could also pick up an all-natural cleaning liquid made with distilled water specifically for the job. It's important to use a mild type of liquid soap, as harsher soaps may contain abrasive agents that can leave behind scratches.^[4]

   1. Hand soap will get the job done as well, as long as it doesn't have any moisturizers or other additives in it. These can leave behind a filmy residue.^[5]
4. Fill the container with 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) of warm water. While your container is filling up, stir the soap and water together with the tips of your fingers. The two ingredients should form a nice sudsy solution.

   1. Warm water works better than cold water for cleaning tasks because of its ability to soften stuck-on substances.
   2. Your soap solution may bubble up quite a bit. That's okay—you'll be rinsing the excess off later anyway.
5. Immerse the dirty CD in the soapy water for about a minute. This will give the solution plenty of time to begin loosening any dust or dirt remaining on the disc. Be sure to slide the CD in with the underside facing up to prevent it from rubbing against the bottom of the container.

   1. If you like, you can whisk the CD slowly through the water a few times for a little extra cleaning power.
6. Rinse the CD off under a stream of warm water. Tilt the disc at all different angles under the faucet to clear away every last bit of soap solution from both sides. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear—there should be no streaks or suds visible when you're done.^[6]

   1. Grip the CD with two fingers by the center hole and outer edge to avoid smudging it during the rinse.
7. Repeat the process if necessary. If the disc still looks dirty, place it back in the soap solution and leave it for another minute. This time, scrub the most stubborn spots in a circular motion using the pad of one finger. They should come off easily with a little pressure.^[7]

   1. If your CD doesn't look any better after a second cleaning, it may be scratched rather than simply dirty. In this case, you'll need to actually repair the tiny grooves in the surface.
8. Wipe the disc dry using a lint-free cloth. After shaking off the excess water, go over both faces to pick up any remaining moisture. As before, direct your strokes outward from the center of the disc to minimize the risk of damage. When you're finished, your CD should look and play as good as new!^[8]

   1. Microfiber towels are great for drying delicate items like CDs, DVDs, and electronic components.
   2. Hand-drying is preferable to air-drying, as it's possible for water to leave spots on the surface of the disc if it's allowed to sit for too long.^[9]