Q. How should I clean one of your DVDs that has fingerprints and smudges?

Here are some general tips for cleaning CDs and DVDs:

1. Start from the center of the disk and clean straight out toward the edge. This will help prevent scratches that will affect performance. Never clean by rubbing in a circle around the DVD.
2. Use a soft cloth or microfiber cloth to wipe it off. If it is just dust on the DVD, a soft cloth can often remove it without cleaning solutions. Microfiber cloths work well because they have a very tight weave of cloth that attracts dust and helps keep it from scratching the surface of the DVD.
3. Mix rubbing alcohol and water in a one-to-one ratio and use it to clean the DVD to remove fingerprints or other oily residue. Rubbing alcohol works well because it is mild and evaporates quickly without leaving a residue. Rub the disk with a little of the solution and let it dry.
4. Clean the DVD with a glass cleaner. Spray the window cleaner on to a cloth and apply it with the cloth instead of spraying it directly on the DVD. This is good for difficult cleaning situations such as cleaning soda off of a DVD.

If the disc is still not playable or has scratches, please fill out the included repair form, or include a note that the disc is scratched, and return it to any branch. We have a machine that can repair most discs.