How to Clean DVDs, Blu-rays, and Video Games GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Home Theater & Entertainment > DVDs, DVRs & Videos 96 96 people found this article helpful
How to Clean Dirty DVDs, Blu-rays, and Video Games
Safely remove dirt and fingerprints without scratching
By Erin Huffstetler Erin Huffstetler Writer Erin Huffstetler has been a freelance writer for 11+ years. Her articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 28, 2021 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email DVDs, DVRs & Videos TV & Displays Audio DVDs, DVRs & Videos What to Know
Lightly dampen a microfiber or flannel cloth with white vinegar.Hold the disc by sticking your finger through the center hole, then start at the center and wipe straight out to the edge of the disc. Wipe the disc with a dry cloth until it's completely dry. Even in this age of streaming, downloading, and constant internet connections, we still often turn to DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, and video games in disc format. These discs are vulnerable to dirt, dust, and fingerprints, causing inconsistent performance and even rendering them unable to play. If you have a dirty DVD, CD, or another type of disc that needs to be cleaned, here's how to quickly and safely clean it and get it up and running again. Microfiber and flannel cloth options work best in these disc-cleaning instructions. How to Clean Your Disc
This method uses a soft cloth and white vinegar to get your disc working like new. Hold the DVD, Blu-ray Disc, or CD by the edges or by placing your finger through the center hole. Wipe the disc with a cloth that has been dampened with white vinegar. The acetic acid in vinegar cuts through the oils left behind by your fingers, as well as any other dirt and grime that might be on the disc. Start at the center and wipe straight out to the edge of the disc to avoid damaging the disc. Rotate the disc and continue wiping in this manner until you've worked your way all the way around the disc. Wipe off the disc with a dry cloth and allow it to dry completely. Avoid wiping discs in a circular motion. Also, store them in their cases when you're not using them to keep them dust-free and avoid future damage. If Your Disc Still Won' t Play
Check for Deep Disc Scratches
If you've done a careful cleaning of the disc and still won't play, check to see if the disc has any deep scratches that you've overlooked. These can often be repaired with a bottle of scratch remover or a CD repair kit. Rub the scratch remover solution on the scratch and wipe off the excess. One bottle is good for at least 100 discs, so if you have kids who are rough on their movies and video games, it's definitely money well spent. Amazon has a wide array of scratch removal kits to use with scratched discs. Clean Your Player
If you don't see any scratches on the disc, the problem could be a dirty DVD/Blu-ray/video game player. Laser lens cleaners might solve the problem. These cleaners are actually discs with little built-in brushes that you put into your player. As it "plays," it cleans the laser that reads your discs. Convert to Digital
If you're still having no luck with your disc, consider converting the media to digital format. Services such as Vudu turn that scratched movie disc into a digital copy that's stored on the cloud, and you'll be able to watch it anywhere, on any device, including your computer, smartphone, tablet, or even your TV. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Clean a Wireless Mouse Can Blu-ray Discs Be Played On a DVD Player? How to Clean a Flat Screen TV How to Clean Your Phone and Screen How to Store And Maintain Your Games and Cases How to Boot From a CD, DVD, or BD Disc How to Clean Your Mac's Display How to Remove or Replace a Phone's Glass Screen Protector How to Physically Clean Your Laptop How to Clean an iPad Screen Should You Buy a Blu-ray Player? How to Fix a PS4 That Won't Take, Read, or Eject a Disc How to Fix a PS4 That Keeps Ejecting Discs or Beeping How to Clean a MacBook Screen How to Clean a Camera Lens How to Play Blu-Rays on Windows 11 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies