3 Quick Ways to Clean a Dirty or Fingerprint-Smudged DVD

This wikiHow teaches you how to clean dust, dirt, and residue off a DVD. Keep in mind that cleaning a DVD will not fix scratches, though it will remove smudges and dust that prevent a certain section of the DVD from being read by the DVD player's laser. Keep reading to learn how to clean a DVD.

Ways to Clean a DVD

Use a microfiber cloth to brush away dust and wipe off fingerprints.
Run the DVD under water to clean off dirt.
Use a diluted rubbing alcohol solution for tough messes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Microfiber Cloth

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1
Gather your supplies. For this method, all you'll need is a microfiber cloth. Make sure to get one that's meant for electronics, as other, thicker cloths may scratch your DVD.^{[1]
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- Never use paper towels or facial tissue to clean a DVD, as they will almost always leave small scratches and a lot of dust and lint behind.
2
Place the DVD label-side down. It's best to place your DVD on a soft surface to both protect the label and keep it from moving around.
- You can also hold the DVD, but make sure to hold it only from the edges. Never touch the shiny surface.
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3
Dust the DVD. Before cleaning, dust your DVD to remove any dust, dirt, or debris. If the DVD is excessively dirty when you try to clean it, you can actually scratch the disc.
- The best way to dust a DVD is to air-dust it. Use a can of compressed air (also called an air duster) to gently blow away the dust and debris.^{[2]
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- If you don't have compressed air, use a microfiber cloth to gently brush away dust. Don't dust the DVD in circular motions; make straight lines, starting from the middle of the disc and moving outward. When dusting, make sure you don't press down hard, either. You only need a light touch to brush the dust away.
Starting from the middle of the DVD, use the microfiber cloth to wipe outwards towards the edge of the disc (almost like a sunburst pattern). Never wipe in circular motions, as this can damage the disc.
If it doesn't play, continue with one of the other solutions in this article (if you haven't yet). If nothing else works, you'll need to look up a shop in your area that offers DVD resurfacing.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Water

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Rinse your DVD under some mild-temperature water. We recommend getting distilled water, which can be purchased at most grocery stores. Distilled water is preferable to tap water, as tap water has added minerals that can leave spots or deposits on your DVD. However, you can also use a faucet for this step, as the water pressure will help dislodge stubborn stains or dirt from the DVD's surface.
- Always hold the DVD by its edges, even when running under water.
- Make sure the water isn't too hot or too cold, as this can damage your DVD.
- Don't use too much water pressure. If your sink is very powerful, only turn the faucet on partway.
While this step is technically optional, we recommend doing it if you can, as the distilled water will rinse away any tap water that has minerals that could leave spots on the DVD.
Place the DVD label-side down on a soft towel and allow it to air dry.
If it doesn't play, continue with one of the other solutions in this article (if you haven't yet). If nothing else works, you'll need to look up a shop in your area that offers DVD resurfacing.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Diluted Rubbing Alcohol

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1
Gather your tools. In order to clean your DVD adequately, you'll need the following items:
- Rubbing alcohol: Rubbing alcohol is a weaker version of isopropyl alcohol. Avoid using straight isopropyl alcohol, as it can damage your DVD.
  - Some sources say you should not use rubbing alcohol to clean a DVD, while others, such as the Council on Library and Information Resources, say isopropyl alcohol is acceptable for cleaning DVDs.^{[3]
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    Research source} We've opted to go for a diluted rubbing alcohol solution in this method, but be aware that rubbing alcohol and isopropyl alcohol can damage DVDs if they are exposed to these solvents for an extended time.
- Distilled water: Used to dilute the rubbing alcohol. Distilled water is best, as it won't leave a residue on the disc.
- Microfiber cloth: Used to wipe and dry the DVD. Do not use a washcloth or paper products, as these items can leave scratches on the DVD. You should also purchase a microfiber cloth made for electronics to avoid scratching the DVD.
2
Place the DVD label-down on a soft cloth. This can be anything from a tablecloth to a washcloth or a pillow, so long as the label is facing down and the blemished side of the DVD is face-up.
- This method is best for extremely dirty DVDs that have stuck-on dirt or many fingerprints. If your DVD is only mildly dirty, try one of the methods above.
3
Dust the DVD. Before beginning with the cleanser, dust your DVD to remove any dust, dirt, or debris. If the DVD is excessively dirty when you try to clean it, you can actually scratch the disc.
- The best way to dust a DVD is to air-dust it. Use a bottle of compressed air (also called an air duster) to gently blow away the dust and debris.
- If you don't have an air duster, use a microfiber cloth to gently brush away dust. Don't dust the DVD in circular motions; make straight lines, starting from the middle of the disc and moving outward. When dusting, make sure you don't press down hard, either. You only need a light touch to brush the dust away.
You should mix them at a one-to-one ratio to sufficiently dilute the rubbing alcohol.^{[4]
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Dampen the microfiber cloth in your alcohol and water solution, then use it to clean the disc. Always start from the middle of the disc and wipe in a straight line outwards towards the edge of the disc. Never wipe in a circular motion, as this can damage the disc and render it unplayable.
Run mild-temperature water over the surface of the DVD to wash away any remains of residue, dust, and fragments of cloth. Distilled water is preferred.
Ideally, you'll stand the DVD upright or lean its label side against a soft object (e.g., a roll of paper towels) to allow it to dry without having to use a cloth, but if you're in a hurry, you can dry off the DVD by wiping it with the microfiber cloth using straight lines.^{[5]
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Insert the dry DVD into a DVD player to see if it will run correctly. If the disc doesn't work, try some of the other options in this article (if you haven't yet). If nothing else works, you'll need to look up a shop in your area that offers DVD resurfacing.

Community Q&A

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Question

I cleaned my DVD with toothpaste but it looks more scratched than before. Did I do something wrong?

Community Answer

You may have a disc that is badly damaged and cleaning it filled in the cracks/crevices of the disk. If this is not the case, then you have used a toothpaste that may have bleached your DVD. It's also possible that the toothpaste contained something grainy that contributed to the scratches.

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Can I clean DVDs with tissues?

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You can. Breathe on the DVD, then rub gently with a soft tissue.

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Will glass cleaner work when cleaning a DVD?

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Yes, glass cleaner and window cleaner are the same thing.

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Tips

Mild-temperature water won't harm your DVD, but avoid running it under excessively warm or cold water.

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Don’t use abrasive materials like paper towels or regular tissues.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia-based cleaners.

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Warnings

No amount of cleaning can fix deep scratches or holes in the DVD.

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Do not use harsh solvent-based cleaners, such as acetone, as doing so may irreparably damage the CD/DVD surface.

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