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Best way to clean my old CD’s

  Good afternoon gentlemen my issue is this. I recently completed an extensive kitchen and living room remodel. My CD’s were placed in boxes ( some open top ) and spent the last year in the garage. The original cases are pretty dusty but not the discs. However I want to give them a proper cleaning before I start using them again and would like to know the best method. FWIT I also use a laser cleaner that involves a drop of fluid on a disc that’s inserted into my transport. If there’s a better system please advise on that too. The group’s input is always appreciated. Cheers my Peers, Mike B. 

buellrider97
buellrider97's avatar
buellrider97 OP
1,016 posts
 

Thanks to the guys that mentioned commercial cleaners too, I’ll check them out. 

dr-hooves's avatar
dr-hooves
56 posts
 

I have tried allsorts and they clean well and render audible differences because of what they leave on the disc. So what is needed is something that cleans impeccably. The surface of a CD is relatively hard and non porous. So the answer is o3, if you look on eBay the Spray Units were available for about $20 named maxkare. Perfect for discs and equipment, as long as the water does not come into prolonged contact with organic materials, but on saying that I got some in my eye and could see better the next day. Cheap, Correct and also useful for a Worktop.

sgordon1
478 posts
 

CHISTO

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
1,471 posts
 

@buellrider97 

Personally, I would not touch the CDs for cleaning unless there is an audible problem.

I found that for problem disks (with heavy fingerprints, etc.) a cheap ultrasonic cleaner made for things like jewelry and glasses can work wonders, if the instructions are followed and it has an adapter for CDs.

For me. the critical instructions are to use warm water and a drop of detergent.  After cleaning ultrasonically for a couple of minutes, rinse under tap water and dry with a microfibre cloth.  Compared with vinyl records, CDs are remarkably forgiving.

Just a reminder that the data layer is just under the label, so that is the side one should be careful not to write on, or to scratch angry.

facten
3,133 posts
 

I'm with Richard on this , I have never cleaned a CD , unless there was an obvious reason to do so , and they sound no different no matter the number of play. Sit back and listen to the music and don't fret over this. 

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