A cd can store a lot of data. That is why it is undoubtedly a storage device of choice.
The problem is that over a period, it can undoubtedly become dirty or develop scratches. In that case, you cannot run the CD or access the contents inside easily.
That is when you need to find out how to clean a cd?
I will share with you multiple ways to clean a cd. I will share a few tips to protect the CDs and store them properly. That way, the CDs will not be damaged, and you won’t have to clean them.
How to clean a cd?
There are 3 ways to clean a cd which include, using rubbing alcohol, using dish soap, and dusting the CDs.
I will go into the details of these 3 methods below.
1. Use rubbing alcohol:
The very 1st method which you can use to clean a cd includes:
• You have to take a microfibre cloth 1st and put rubbing alcohol on it. You have to do so only over a specific section of the microfibre cloth.
• You have to gently rub the cloth from the inner core of the CD to the outer side. You shouldn’t rub it circularly. You should rub it gently in a perpendicular fashion.
• After that, you have to rinse the CD with the water to remove the rubbing alcohol.
• Only when the CD drives down completely can you think about playing it.
2. Use dish soap:
Another option is to use dish soap.
• You have to take a cup of water and add a teaspoon of dish soap to it. You have to mix it well.
• After that, you have to dampen a microfiber cloth in the solution and wipe the CD with that cloth. Once again, you have to do so not in circular fashion but in a perpendicular fashion. You should start at the interior and go outwards.
• After that, you have to wash the cd with water and remove the dish soap solution.
• Once the CD dries down, you can play it.
3. Dust the CDs:
In case you do not store the CDs properly, cleaning them will require dusting the CDs.
You can dust the CDs using a microfibre cloth.
Once you do so, you can eliminate the dust and contaminants easily. After that, you can play the cd right away.
These are the 3 ways in which will help you clean the cd.
I will now share a few tips that will help you handle the CDs properly so that you do not have to worry about cleaning them from time to time.
Tips for handling the CDs better:
The tips which you have to follow to handle the CDs in a much better way include:
1. Hold them with the outer edge:
When you’re picking up the CD or using it, you have to hold it with the outer edge. You have to ensure that you do not touch the inner surface. If you touch the inner surface, the probability of scratches increase which will mean that you won’t be able to play the CD or access the data inside.
That is why you have to hold the CD with the outer edge.
2. Label it on the right side:
Many people label the CD to ensure that they know right away what are the contents of the CD.
However, you have to label it on the upper side, which consists of a paper coating. You shouldn’t stick a label on the interior side, which is glossy.
For labeling, you can use a permanent marker. With a permanent marker, you can mark and label the CDs easily.
3. Keep CDs away from foreign matter:
You should keep the CDs away from any foreign matter. Simultaneously, you have to ensure that while storing them, it does not come in contact with a substance or material of any texture. Such materials can not only spoil the CD but also cause scratches.
When that happens, you can’t play the CD. Once there are excessive scratches on the CD, even the above 3 methods I have highlighted above won’t help you.
4. Store them upright:
Of course, you will not be using the CDs always. You will be storing them from time to time.
When you want to store them, you have to ensure that you are storing them in the upright position. It will ensure that it does not rub with the material against which you are storing it.
That way, you will not have any scratches on the CD.
5. Use a storage case:
When you store the CD properly, you will not be required to clean it. You can take it out of the storage, and you can use the cd right away.
The best way to store a CD is to use a storage case. That way, in a small amount of space, you can store a lot of CDs. You can easily find storage cases that can store up to 400 CDs as well. Once you do so, you will not have to worry about any damage during storage.
Thus, you have to use a storage case while storing the CDs.
6. Open recordable discs only when you intend to record:
Many times, when you want to record CDs, you will bring the CD out of the packaging. However, unless and until you want to record a CD, you shouldn’t take it out of the packaging. The reason for the same is because it is not that easy to put it back into the packaging. If you keep it anywhere, chances are, it might develop scratches.
Using these tips, it will become easy for you to handle the CDs.
So, if you’re struggling to clean a cd, I have highlighted 3 different ways to clean a cd. With the help of these 3 methods, cleaning the CDs is easy. You won’t have to devote a lot of time to cleaning CDs using the above methods.
I often blog about CDs and CD players on my site. You can go through posts like portable cd player for car with aux (here), portable cd player for car with USB connection (here), portable cd player with car adapter (here) to buy the best CD players in these categories.