This article shows you how to remove dust, dirt and debris from the surface of a DVD. The easiest way to clean an optical media is to use cleaning alcohol and a microfiber cloth, although there are other solutions. Remember that cleaning a DVD will not remove or repair any scratches on the surface, however it will remove any residue of dirt and dust to prevent problems from occurring when playing content stored on the disc.
Steps
Step 1. Place the DVD on a soft cloth with the printed side facing down
You can use a tablecloth, a towel or a cushion, the important thing is that the reflective surface of the disc (the side to be cleaned) is facing up.
Step 2. Get all the tools you need to clean up
For proper DVD cleaning, you will need the following items:
- Isopropyl alcohol - you will use it as a cleaning product. Alternatively, you can use toothpaste. In general, be very careful because most of the products used for domestic hygiene contain solvents that could damage the plastic of the DVD;
- Water - you will use this to rinse the DVD surface after cleaning;
- Microfiber cloth - you will use this to dry the clean disc. Do not use a towel or a piece of absorbent kitchen paper, as they release residues and being slightly abrasive they could scratch the surface of the DVD.
Step 3. Evaluate the condition of the DVD surface
If it has any heavy residue of dust, you will need to perform a thorough and thorough cleaning, but if the dust is present only in some places on the disc you can simply rinse it off and dry the DVD.
If you feel that you simply need to rinse the DVD and dry it, skip the next two steps in the article
Step 4. Spray alcohol on the DVD surface
If the alcohol bottle has a spray dispenser, spray it generously over the entire surface of the disc, otherwise just a few drops will suffice.
If you have chosen to use toothpaste, dose it moderately in some places on the DVD, then spread it over the entire surface of the disc so that it is covered entirely with a thin layer of toothpaste
Step 5. Remove the alcohol from the DVD surface with linear movements
Use a microfiber cloth to rub the alcohol onto the disc in linear movements starting from the center and moving outward. The goal is to have the entire surface of the DVD treated with isopropyl alcohol, so add more if necessary.
If you're using toothpaste, rinse the DVD with water to get rid of it
Step 6. Rinse the DVD
Run a generous amount of warm water over the entire surface of the disc to remove any residue of dust, dirt or fabric.
Step 7. Dry the DVD
In the ideal situation, you should allow the disc to air dry by placing it on a soft surface (for example the top end of a paper towel roll), with the printed side facing down. having to use any cloth. However, if you don't have a lot of time, you can dry it using a microfiber cloth and making linear movements from the center outwards.
Step 8. Check the quality of your work
Insert the DVD into a player and see if it plays without any problem.
If your DVD continues to have trouble playing, you may need to go to a center that specializes in cleaning and repairing this type of optical media. Search online to find out which one is closest to your area of residence (look for one in your city)
Advice
Warm water shouldn't do any harm to the DVD, but be careful not to use it excessively hot or cold
Warnings
- If the DVD has very deep scratches or even actual grooves, there will be no cleaning product that can remove them.
- Do not use a solvent based product, as they may dissolve the plastic the CD / DVD is made of and ruin it forever.
