Cleaning CDs

[starone]

I have a CD I am particularly fond of but it will not play properly. Is there a method of cleaning them? I cannot see any marks on it, but no doubt they are tiny and probably clogging up the grooves, or whatever the music is on. I am hopeless at understanding how things work so would appreciate any help. Or should I give up and throw it away? I have tried a soft cloth but it did not help much.

[sunny-dave]

Apologies if it is a patronising question - but you are cleaning the 'silver' side not the label side?

Try using a 'spectacle cleaning wipe' or something similar - pay particular attention to the inner area of the disc (they play from the inside outwards) - get it nice & shiny with no fingerprints - work 'crossways" rather than 'round and round'.

If all else fails then there is little to be lost by using something a bit more aggressive - I've had success on really grubby CDs using window cleaning spray ( the clear green/blue stuff) and a paper towel - but let it dry well before trying it in your player again.

Good Luck
d xx

[rojash]

CDs don't have grooves, they have a perfectly smooth surface, so if you can't see any scratches or dirt, then that's probably not your problem.
You can clean a CD with lukewarm water with a drop of detergent liquid. Use a very soft cloth and wipe outwards from the centre, not round and round.

[catsrcool]

Does the disc play on another player? If so the problem is with the player. Is it one you have bought in a shop or did someone make it for you?

[Everhelpful]

Why not buy a Disc Cleaner? They are cheap enough.

[mjwman]

You should be able to revive a commercial cd, but if home burned, it could have oxidised and become unplayable. 3-5 years is about the start time for oxidation where the reflective layer of aluminium inside stats corroding. Look carefuly at the shiny side. If any area looks cracked it is junk.

[karenmac60]

Try T cut Starbuck, it supposedly works a treat.

[Buenchico]

Disc cleaners are sold in 99p Stores (and similar discount outlets).

If you'd rather try cleaning a disc without a proper kit, the key thing to remember is NOT to wipe the disc with a circular motion. CDs and DVDs should always be wiped using strokes from the centre to the edge. Toothpaste is frequently recommended as a suitable cleaning agent.

Chris

[starone]

Sorry I didn't come back straight away, but thanks to everyone for your suggestions. I have been wiping it round and round thinking it was grooves (I know, completely hopeless) and starting from the outside instead of the centre. Also I didn't know you could get cleaning kits. Next time I am near a Poundstretcher, I shall have a look. In the meantime I shall try some of the other remedies. It is a shop bought one not a home made one.

[joko]

get something to clean the actual machine as well as somehting to clean the discs

[divlong]

Your local branch of Blockbusters will clean CDs & DVDs for a nominal fee.