How to Restore CDs with Toothpaste

Begin

Check for damage on both sides. CDs store information right below the label. Often just a tear through the label can cause permanent damage to the CD. Luckily, reflective surfaces are more susceptible to scratches, and toothpaste has the ability to repair scratches. This surface needs to be shiny so that the laser beam can be reflected back when reading the CD. In fact, the abrasive power of toothpaste is just enough to wear away scratches on reflective surfaces to make them brighter.

Small scratches and scratches are much easier to fix than deep engravings. Some CD repair services can fix it with a specialized polishing machine, but it is very difficult to restore the quality of the disc to its original quality.

Clean the CD with a damp lint-free cloth. Even if you can't see it, small dust particles on the disc can cause scratches when rubbed with toothpaste. To limit this situation, you need to wash the plate under running water and wipe it with a cotton or microfiber lint-free towel. Always wipe directly from the center to the edges, never wipe in small circles or along circular lines. You just need to wash the reflective side of the disc.

If the CD is particularly dirty, you should use a can of compressed air to blow it clean first.

If the CD is visibly greasy, use rubbing alcohol or CD cleaner instead of water.

Choose toothpaste. You should only use toothpaste as gel products are not effective. If convenient, choose a "teeth whitening" or "tartar control" toothpaste. These products tend to be more abrasive, so they will help the CD shine easily.

You can look up toothpaste brands online to determine the "RDA" index (Relative Dentin Abrasivity: a measure of the abrasive ability in toothpaste). Toothpaste with a high RDA usually results in a smoother surface, although this is not always the case.

Polish the CD with toothpaste

Squeeze toothpaste onto a lint-free towel. As mentioned, clean rags made of cotton or microfiber are most suitable. You can also use cotton wool.

Gently wipe the scratched area. Wipe toothpaste onto the scratched area in a straight motion from the center to the edge of the disc. Repeated manipulation will gradually wear the CD down to the same level of scratches. Don't press too hard.

Rinse off the toothpaste. Wash the CD under running water, and wipe it with a clean cloth in the same direction.

Let the disc dry. You need to be careful because dry CDs are more susceptible to scratches than when wet. First, absorb excess water by applying a dry, lint-free towel directly to the surface of the dish and lifting it up. Let the disc air dry or gently wipe with a dry cloth. For CDs, you should always wipe from the center to the edges in straight lines.

Try using a stronger abrasive. Check again after the CD is completely dry. If the disc still does not function properly, you can repeat the entire process using silver, plastic or furniture polish. Never use polishing products that smell like kerosene or contain petroleum derivatives because they can damage the CD.

Micah Soto

Update 26 October 2023